On Thursday, Red Sox Manager Alex Cora was at the annual dinner hosted Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Alex Cora as you might remember was robbed of the BBWAA’s Manager of the Year award, as they awarded it to Bob Melvin, who captained the Oakland A’s to an incredible season. While Melvin led the A’s to the Wild Card Game, Cora got the Red Sox their second World Series rings in a decade.

At the dinner, Cora was asked about his upcoming White House visit. Cora then opened up about his RSVP to Washington.

“We’ll see what happens,” Cora said at the dinner. “There’s a lot of stuff going on right now as far as the government and the shutdown and all that.” Cora, who was born in Puerto Rico, then added, “If I go, I’ll represent Puerto Rico the right way.”

A few Red Sox players have already accepted the invite, including Blake Swihart, Brock Holt, and Ryan Brasier. When asked if he’d be into a fast food buffet like the one that 45 had offered Clemson players at their visit, Braiser‌ said absolutely. “That’s all my favorite foods.”

The Red Sox have already said that as an organization, they will be attending, but have given the option for individuals to pass on the event. This decision has left the door open for Cora to make his decision when the time comes, something he intends to take full advantage of.

“Right now I can say yes. It might change tomorrow,” Cora said. “It’s not that I’ve changed my mind. But we’ll see what happens in the upcoming days.”

“I don’t know what kind of platform I’m going to have if I go. Sometimes, if you walk the other way and you get your back to whatever is going on, is it positive? I don’t know. Sometimes you’ve got to show your face.”

Cora also added that he wanted to make sure that either way, attending or declining the invite, he didn’t want to make a scene.

This is not the first time the White House visit has ruffled feathers. In 2018, 45 uninvited the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, blaming the peaceful protests during the National Anthem. Another championship team to decline the offer was the Golden State Warriors.

For Boston, Tim Thomas refused Barrack Obama’s invite after winning the 2011 Stanley Cup. It should also be noted that Tom Brady has also missed a few White House visits due to prior commitments.

At the baseline, Alex Cora has the right, as an American citizen, to free speech. Therefore, if he doesn’t want to go to the White House, that’s his choice to make. Whether you like it or agree with it, it’s Cora’s call.

And if you’re a Red Sox fan, you know that he’s made a lot of good calls since coming to Fenway.