Why Red Sox’ Alex Cora Told His Starter to ‘Take a Look at the Scoreboard’
After a tough loss, Red Sox manager Alex Cora had a pointed but meaningful message for his young starter: “Take a look at the scoreboard.” That simple line, directed at Brayan Bello, wasn’t just about the final score—it was about teaching a lesson that every great pitcher must learn.
Bello had pitched well, showing command, velocity, and the kind of growth Boston’s staff has been hoping for. But baseball, especially at the major league level, is unforgiving. One mistake, one bad pitch, and a win can quickly become a loss. That’s exactly what happened. Despite Bello’s strong performance for most of the game, the Red Sox came up short.
After the game, Cora didn’t sugarcoat it. He acknowledged Bello’s good work but challenged him to look beyond personal stats and focus on team results. “Take a look at the scoreboard” is a reminder that in professional sports, performance is judged not just by how well you played—but by whether your team won.
It’s part of Cora’s growing emphasis on accountability, especially with younger players. He wants them to take pride in their development, but not lose sight of the team’s goals. A pitcher’s job isn’t just to rack up strikeouts or avoid runs—it’s to help deliver a win.
Cora has been vocal about this all season. In press conferences, he’s been honest about the team’s struggles, from inconsistent offense to shaky bullpen outings. But he’s also emphasized learning and adaptation. In Bello’s case, the message was clear: you’re improving, but there’s still a higher standard to meet.
For fans and analysts, Cora’s message resonated because it was tough love in its purest form. It showed confidence in Bello’s talent, while also demanding more. That balance is what builds championship-caliber players—and teams.
As the season continues, moments like this may define Cora’s leadership. He’s not just managing games; he’s molding a culture. And for Bello, that scoreboard may become more than a measurement of wins and losses—it could become the ultimate motivator.
