In a surprising turn of events, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora was absent for the first game of a critical series against the New York Mets, opting instead to attend his daughter Camila's graduation from Boston College. This decision sparked heated discussions on local sports talk radio, with some critics claiming it sent a poor message to the team about priorities and leadership.

Mike Felger from 98.5 The Sports Hub described Cora's absence as 'preposterous,' suggesting that setting the right tone and leading by example should have taken precedence over personal commitments. Cora, however, defended his choice, emphasizing the importance of family and stating that he made the best decision for his daughter. Ultimately, the Red Sox managed to secure a 3-1 victory against the Mets, with bench coach Ramon Vazquez stepping in as acting manager for the night.