BOSTON -- For the Red Sox, such an electric homestand deserved a grand finale.\n\nBut nobody could have guessed the one that unfolded, which explains the euphoric reaction that took place when
At 27 years old, it isn’t too late for Cordero to reach some of that promise that sits within his impressive kit of tools.\n\nA day after he hammered a triple to jump-start a winning rally, Cordero this time walloped a slider from Andrés Munóz over the visiting bullpen and into the first row or two of the bleachers, setting off a mob scene of white jerseys at home plate following his first career grand slam.\n\n“Yeah, super excited to see the boys jumping around and excited and happy. I’m super happy for this moment,” Cordero said.\n\nAs well he should be. A barrage of injuries in San Diego prevented Cordero from being the player he wanted to be, and he barely even had time to unpack his suitcase after being traded to Kansas City before the Red Sox got him in the trade that sent Andrew Benintendi to the Royals.
Cordero was outrighted after nobody claimed him last October, meaning he was no longer on the 40-man roster for the Red Sox. But he was a non-roster invite during Spring Training, giving the club a chance to see some of his improvements up close.\n\nMost notably, Cordero was in better shape and made strides in making more frequent contact.\n\n“I told you, he’s going to start hitting the ball in the air and good things are going to happen,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora.\n\nWhen you have Cordero’s power and you can put bat to ball, good things can absolutely happen. And the outfielder, who was promoted from Triple-A on April 29, couldn’t have picked a better time for his first home run of the season.
Despite being a supporting-cast member, Cordero has made life more fun for the Red Sox. Last year, he started the dugout wave which players would do when they reached base, particularly after an extra-base hit.\n\nThis season, he has added some new gimmicks.\n\n“\\[Cordero\\]’s quiet in the clubhouse, but then on the field, whether he’s doing the waving or breaking the bad spirits and stuff like that, that helps,” said Red Sox righty
The Red Sox had endured five walk-off losses this season and gone 0-6 in extra innings this season before reversing those trends in Sunday’s thriller.\n\nAs Cordero’s drive -- which Statcast projected had an exit velocity of 106.1 mph and an estimated distance of 419 feet -- landed, there was mayhem at Fenway.\n\n
\n\nDid someone order a walk-off with side of Franch? pic.twitter.com/wm5r2oeJn9
— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 22, 2022