BOSTON — Alex Cora enters his seventh season as the Red Sox manager in 2025. He got an introduction of what it took to win in Boston from the manager he played for with the Red Sox in 2007 in Terry Francona.

Cora since won a championship of his own as Boston’s manager in 2018 and brought the Red Sox back to the postseason in 2021. While he’s only made the postseason in a third of his seasons at the helm, Cora can make magic when provided a functionable, healthy roster.

Francona noticed that from a distance during his time away from the game and previously managing the Cleveland Guardians for 11 years through the 2023 season. Now as he returns to baseball to manage the Cincinnati Reds in 2025, Francona knows the Red Sox still have the right man to lead them and end a three-year playoff drought.

“Alex is one of the best,” Francona said before “The Tradition” on Wednesday night at TD Garden. “I’ve got a lot of respect for him, but I don’t need to be rating their organization.”

Cora enters 2025 in the first year of a three-year extension with lofty goals for Boston. That’s as long as the front office takes care of business to add significant external talent to compliment a capable young core and prospect pool on the verge of contention.

Francona’s Reds visit Cora’s Red Sox at Fenway Park for a three-game set next season from June 30 to July 2.