Why Alex Cora called this one of his “most gratifying victories”

“It was one of the most gratifying victories since I’ve been here.”

These were the words of Alex Cora, who won the 2018 World Series, made it to the 2021 American League Championship Series, and won 537 games as a major league manager.

But the 6-5 victory in 10 innings over the Blue Jays on Tuesday night at the Rogers Centre on September 24 was a completely different impression.

So why was the impact different this time?

“How we did it,” Cora explained. “Obviously, October 28, 2018 was the biggest. But somehow it was tough and hard in the fight and in the dugout and the guys that pitched and the guys that ended up playing in that game. I'll tell you now… There was a lot of fear and we were very nervous, but we got through it.”

So what does all this mean? Considering the Red Sox need to win all four remaining games while the Royals are 1-4, this most likely has little to do with getting into the postseason. That perspective has changed in the last few days.

But it was certainly a sign that they lacked attitude and momentum in the final moments of the 2023 season, or even the last two months or more.

For the first time since July 5, when the Red Sox ended a five-game winning streak, Cora's club can be considered one of the two strongest teams in baseball, winning four games in a row, the longest streak since that streak in early July. (Before Monday, the Sox had won more than two games in a row only once since July 5.)

A recent upswing has disproved the assumption that these would again be the final weeks of last season.

From September 23-28, 2023, the Red Sox secured their second consecutive last-place finish with a five-game losing streak. This time, it doesn't look like they'll follow the same path, even with five games left.

When the final out was made, Chase Shugart was on the mound. This time last year, he was at home and had an ERA of 8.22 at Triple-A Worcester.

When the last out was made, Mickey Gasper was playing first base. This time last year, he was on the verge of becoming a minor league free agent at 27 years of age after posting a .191 batting average with the Yankees' Triple-A team.

As the final inning began, Zach Penrod was tasked with holding the lead in the 10th inning. This time last year, he had just finished a 2023 season that ended in Single-A after starting in independent ball.

When the game was over, Vaughn Grissom had emerged as the offensive star of the day, with three hits and a stolen base. A month ago, the second baseman had a batting average of .197 after playing at Triple-A Worcester the month before.

When the Red Sox needed a big hit in the 10th inning, Trevor Story delivered an RBI double to give the visitors the lead for good. Only two months ago, anyone knew Story would play again this season.

Rafael Devers and Kenley Jansen were out. Tyler O'Neil was limited to pinch-runner. No one needed Fangraphs to see that the Red Sox's chances of winning a fourth straight game were slim.

It can be frustrating that this club didn't turn things around until it was seemingly too late. That's fair, especially given the continued downward trend of all the competitors around it, with the exception of the Tigers.

And a series-deciding defeat in Toronto would perhaps make Cora's statement seem even more exaggerated.

But after the rollercoaster ride of these 158 games, it is the manager's prerogative to highlight the kind of victory he and his team have longed for. For now, that will have to do.