FORT MYERS, Fla. -- After guiding the Red Sox to a World Series championship in his first year in the dugout, Alex Cora thought the best way to follow up that season was to view it as a continuation of the previous one.
When you win 108 regular season games, then steamroll three quality opponents in the postseason, why mess with a good thing?
Cora thought there was no need to "turn the page,'' in 2019. More of the same, please.
He found out otherwise in a hurry. His starting pitchers stumbled out of the game, the Red Sox went 3-8 on a season-opening road trip to the West Coast, and it was downhill from there.
So this year, as the Red Sox look to build on a season that saw them get to within two wins of the American League pennant, Cora recognizes that nothing is guaranteed, and every season is distinct from the last.
The 2022 Red Sox are not wholly different from a year ago -- Eduardo Rodriguez, Hunter Renfroe and Adam Ottavino are the only significant players missing -- and the foundation remains. Still, when the Red Sox line up Thursday on the third-base line at Yankee Stadium, everything old will new again.
And that's the way Cora likes it.
"It's not the same coming in,'' Cora told BostonSportsJournal.com. "People talk about turn the page, or whatever...There's been 25 teams (since the New York Yankees were the last team to repeat as world champions).''
As Cora looks back on his message of "don't turn the page,'' he's come to the realization that he should have worded things a bit differently.
"If I had to do it again,'' he said, "the message would be more like, 'Let's keep the program growing.' It's not about not turning the page. But it's about (wanting to) keep doing the things we did last year and keep improving that. We had played good defense, good offense, baserunning, everything was good. I wanted that to continue. But the way I expressed it, it was taken the wrong way. (People were thinking) 'He got cocky,' or 'He's taking things for granted.' No, no. If I could do it again, I would say it differently.
"What we need to do is keep doing the things we're doing, the principles of playing good baseball, and we're going to be fine. I haven't turned the page in that sense. I believe in what I believe, and that's what we're trying to accomplish.''
What gives Cora optimism as the start of the season beckons is the emphasis placed on defense this spring. Extra work for third baseman Rafael Devers and shortstop Xander Bogaerts has the Sox feeling better about the left side of the infield, and the injection of Trevor Story, even into an unfamiliar position, ensures one more qualify defender in the mix.
"The way we played defense in October,'' said Cora, "tells us they're good defenders. Now we have to build off that. It seems like they're taking it to another level. Obviously, (Story) is going to help. But I think the guys on the left side understand we have to play good defense throughout the season.''
The return of Jackie Bradley Jr. to the outfield mix represents another upgrade, and the Sox are becoming convinced that Christian Arroyo can be at least league-average in the outfield as Bradley's platoon partner.
There's also improved depth, with Arroyo capable of playing all over the infield and the corner outfield spots. Christian Vazquez can help out at a number of infield spots, while Bobby Dalbec, more confident at first, can contribute at third, and if need be, second base, too.
And there's more help on the way. Triston Casas could be ready to push Dalbec for playing time by mid-season, and the hope is that Jarren Duran, with some offensive adjustments, can supply the roster with speed and athleticism.
"If we pitch and play good defense,'' said Cora, "we'll be fine. We will always hit. They hit in 2020, and it was a horrible season. But if we pitch and play good defense, we're going to be in a good spot. I was watching (video of) Game 6 (of the 2021 ALCS) the other day. Kike (Hernandez) dropped a fly ball, Kyle (Schwarber) didn't turn two double plays and we didn't turn a double play in the eighth and they hit a homer. Those are the things that make you think: If we're better in these areas, and we continue to do the things we did well last year, then we're going to be OK.''
In Cora's mind, surviving the first month is essential. With a shorter spring training and pitchers not as stretched out as usual, Cora will have to manage the rotation and bullpen in April with an eye toward the big picture. The key will be to avoid digging a deep hole in the first four weeks.
"I learned that 0-3 (in 2021) was nothing for a manager,'' he said. "In '19, that was different. I was like, 'We have to get going.' People need to understand, that as a manager, there's a (public) message. I'm the spokesman of the organization. What I said to the media was 'We'll be fine.' But what was I supposed to say? 'We're going to suck the whole season?' But in the clubhouse, there was (more urgency). We had to pick it up. We had to, because of the division we play.
"In this division, if you're off to a slow start, it's tough to catch up. Good starts are key, It doesn't have to be 17-2 (as the Sox began in 2018). But play good solid baseball in spring training, because that's important. And we didn't do that in '19. I think we've been clean here, and that's going to translate into the season.''
Live and learn.