Over the offseason, Red Sox manager Alex Cora took a trip to his native Puerto Rico. While there, he sent a picture of himself sporting a new white-ish-gray beard to his girlfriend Angelica.
“Hot,” she replied. Is the facial hair here to stay? That’s up to Angelica.
“It’s all about the house. When mama’s happy, we’re good,” Cora said. “Actually, when she’s happy, the Red Sox are happy.”
Those comments came during the inaugural episode of “Inside the Monster,” a Red Sox podcast presented by Audacy and Major League Baseball. Hosts Steve Perrault and Joey Copponi, both New England natives and longtime Red Sox fans, will provide Boston faithful interviews with players, club personnel, reporters and others within the organization.
Fans can listen to “Inside the Monster” on the Audacy app or their favorite podcast hosting platform.
With new shows every Monday and Thursday, Perrault and Copponi will also bring fresh commentary on the team, games, storylines and team personalities throughout the season. Perrault is a former co-host of the popular “Section 10” Red Sox Podcast from Barstool Sports. Copponi was a co-host of “Sports Nuts” and “In the Pit” podcasts.
“[I’m] most stoked to talk to Xander Bogaerts,” Perrault said during the show trailer. “I haven’t been able to interview him, only a couple of head nods before.”
Copponi said he’s excited to talk with Alex Verdugo.
“We’re going to have a great time together,” he said.
As for Cora’s beard, one player thinks it needs a little work.
“Christian [Vázquez] likes it,” Cora said during the first show. “But he says that I need to get some Just For Men, whatever that is. … I already took the pictures for the season, so even if I shave, when they show me on the scoreboard, it’s gonna be this look.”