BOSTON — Red Sox manager Alex Cora aimed for his twin 7-year-old sons to meet Aaron Judge, a prominent figure from their American League East rivals, the Yankees. However, the boys, Xander and Isander, initially balked at the idea due to Judge being a rival player.
Cora recounted trying to convince them by mentioning other players who have donned both teams’ jerseys, like Alex Verdugo. Eventually, the boys warmed up to the idea and met the towering 6-foot-7 All-Star before Boston claimed a 4-3 victory on Saturday night. During this encounter, the boys wore the Red Sox’s new alternate Fenway green jerseys, and Cora captured the moment in a photo.
Judge, always gracious, offered one of the boys a pair of his batting gloves. “I only had one pair on me, so that’s all I could do,” he shared with a smile, highlighting the joy he found in the role. He elaborated, “When it’s game time, we’re rivals, but it’s great to meet fans, especially kids who love baseball.”
Cora had been orchestrating this meeting for a while. “I texted him last week saying, ‘We need to do this,’ and he replied, ‘Just let me know,’” Cora revealed. Expressing his admiration for Judge, he noted, “I’ve watched him since 2017. He and Shohei Ohtani are the faces of baseball. His conduct on and off the field is impressive.”
Cora mentioned that one son is more outgoing while the other is reserved, revealing how they reacted during the meeting. “They were quiet at first but then got comfortable,” Cora laughed, adding that his sons later joked, “They called Angelica after and said: ‘He’s shy. They called him shy.’”
For Judge, this gathering held personal significance as it marked his first Father’s Day as a parent, welcoming his daughter, Nora Rose, with his wife Samantha earlier in January. Reflecting on the meeting, Judge remarked, “Being a dad now, I view these moments differently. Taking a few minutes to connect with fans can create lasting memories, not only for them but also for me.”
Alex Cora’s sons can look forward to another special gift — Judge has promised to send a second pair of batting gloves, ensuring that each boy receives one. Cora assured them, “He said he was going to send it.” When the boys noted it wasn’t signed, Cora responded lightheartedly, “Don’t worry about it. You got the picture.”