‘I Panicked': Alex Cora Responds After Being Hit by Beer During Red Sox Parade
By Marc Fortier ••
Red Sox manager Alex Cora is speaking out one day after a fan hurled a beer at one of the duck boats during the parade.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he "panicked" when a thrown beer hit his daughter during Wednesday's World Series championship parade.
"In the beginning, I panicked, honestly," he said. "It's part of it. I saw '04, I saw '07, I saw '13, this year. They don't mean it that way."
"The best way to put it is they throw you a full beer, it means cheers and enjoy. It doesn't have to be a big deal, obviously."
Video shows Cora waving to the crowd and basking in his team’s World Series win just before the can strikes him. Interrupted by the rude surprise, Cora looks on to the crowd while a man could be seen jumping up and down in the crowd shortly after the manager was hit.
An arrest was made after fans threw cans of beer at the duck boats during the Red Sox parade Wednesday. The World Series trophy was damaged by a thrown beer but has since been repaired.
A different cell phone video shows the same man being ushered away from the crowd by police shortly after the incident.
Sandwich resident Patrick Connolly, 19, was charged with disorderly conduct, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and being a minor in possession of liquor. He was arraigned Wednesday and released on personal recognizance.
Connolly told police that he didn’t intend to hit the Red Sox manager with the beer.
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Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez waves the championship flag during a parade to celebrate the team's World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, left, waves the flag of Puerto Rico as coach Ramon Vazquez holds the championship trophy during a parade to celebrate the team's World Series championship over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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Boston Red Sox's Blake Swihart sprays the crowd as he passes by during a parade to celebrate the team's World Series championship over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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Boston Red Sox owner John Henry waves as David Ortiz holds one of the team's four World Series trophies during a parade to celebrate the team's World Series championship over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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Boston Red Sox fans cheer during a parade to celebrate the team's World Series championship over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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Confetti covers fans and the Duck boats as they depart Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox World Series Victory Parade on Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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The Boston Red Sox team ride in duck boats on Tremont Street past Park Street Church during the Boston Red Sox Victory Parade on Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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The Boston Red Sox ride in duck boats on Tremont Street during the Boston Red Sox Victory Parade on Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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Duck boats depart Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox Victory Parade on Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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Boston Red Sox fans line the parade route, waiting to celebrate the team's World Series championship over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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Boston Red Sox fans stand outside Fenway Park, waiting to watch the team's parade celebrating the World Series championship over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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Fans gather before the Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series parade outside of Fenway Park on Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts.
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World Championship 2018 flags!
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Fans line up under the Boston Red Sox World Series banners before the Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series parade outside of Fenway Park on Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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These fans are ready for Wednesday's Red Sox World Championship parade.
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Fans are celebrating in the streets ahead of Wednesday's Red Sox championship parade.
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Sox fans are ready for the big parade!
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Fans were lining the parade route well ahead of its 11 a.m. start.
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Sox fans line Boylston Street in Copley Square for a view of the parade.
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Here's a look at the duck boats ahead of Wednesday's parade.
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Another one of the duck boats, all prepped for the parade.
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One more shot of one of the duck boats that will be in Wednesday's parade.
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A Red Sox fan with a red clown nose enjoys the festivities with his vuvuzela.
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Boston Red Sox flags in Copley Square along the parade route.
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Fans await the duck boats carrying Red Sox World Series champs during Wednesday's rolling rally outside of Fenway Park.
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Fenway Park on the morning of the 2018 World Series championship parade for the Boston Red Sox.
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Rookie Red Sox manager Alex Cora celebrates team's World Series win at rolling rally.
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"Wicked Good" sign hanging in Copley Square along the Red Sox parade route.
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Scoreboard on the Green Monster reflects the team's championship status.
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Jackie Bradley, Jr. speaks to the crowd at Fenway.
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World Series MVP Steve Pearce speaks at Fenway Park
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Nathan Eovaldi, pitcher, with his son at Fenway ahead of the rolling rally.
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Mother-son duo showing off their signs along the parade route.
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Red Sox fans are all smiles as they gear up for today's World Series championship parade.
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Fans prepare for Red Sox championship parade in Downtown Boston.
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World Series star David Price celebrates during Wednesday's championship parade.
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Cutouts of the players heads sit on a wall inside of Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series parade on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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A Boston Red Sox employee places cutouts of the players heads against a wall inside of Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series parade on Oct. 31, 2018, in Boston.
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A fan waits for the Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series parade outside of Fenway Park on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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Red Sox owner John Henry waves to the crowd during Wednesday's parade.
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora aboard a duckboat during Wednesday's parade.
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World Series MVP Steve Pearce points to the crowd during Wednesday's parade.
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The real David Price and a virtual version on a duck boat during Wednesday's parade.
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A flag waves in the wind above the Red Sox World Championship parade in Boston.
"I love Cora. I didn’t mean to hit him," he said. "That was stupid. I wasn’t trying to hit Cora."
Several fans were seen tossing beer cans to players as they passed by on duck boats. Some players caught the cans and either drank out of them or sprayed the contents onto the audience. Others dodged and dropped them.
Outfielder Mookie Betts dropped one of the cans and a Red Sox staffed member intervened after one nearly struck the player in the face.
One World Series trophy was a casualty of the beer can tosses and was slightly damaged as a result. The Red Sox said the trophy has already been repaired.
Including Connolly, six people were arrested during the parade in total for various charges.
Another unseasonably cold day ahead after a frigid start.
