Cora secure in role as reserve

Although the big news for Red Sox infielder Alex Cora is his new two-year, $4 million deal announced yesterday at Fenway Park, he also was able to offer a Matsuzaka Mania-related anecdote.

Cora had one at-bat against Daisuke Matsuzaka in November 2004, when major leaguers traveled to Japan for an exhibition series against a team of Japanese all-stars. He would rather forget the result.

"A buddy of mine told me I struck out against him. I don't want to remember," Cora said jokingly.

Cora, 31, has played the past 1 1/2 seasons in Boston and is excited to return, regardless of his role. For him, the security of a multiyear contract trumped any concerns about playing time.

"It's not that we didn't try [to find a job as an everyday starter]," Cora said. "But this was the best business decision we could make. Having a two-year deal will guarantee me two years in the big leagues. My kids are growing up, and I think from a family standpoint it is perfect."

Cora speculated that the Sox brought him back partially to support Dustin Pedroia in the infield.

"We're probably going to have a starting second baseman or shortstop that's a young guy that probably needs a little bit of help," said Cora .

Cora said the atmosphere in Boston was one reason he wanted to stay.

"It's night and day compared to the other two places I played before," Cora said. "In [Los Angeles], people would get there late and leave early. It's totally different [in Boston]. Here you've got 35,000 people cheering for you, and they know exactly what's going on.

"I really respect [manager Terry Francona]. I don't like comparing people, but he reminds me a lot of Jim Tracy in LA. He always gives you the confidence to go ahead and make decisions on the field, to try to be a leader, to not be afraid to speak out when you have to . . . So far, so good; hopefully it doesn't change for the next few years."

Free agent reliever Eric Gagne, a teammate of Cora's with the Dodgers, was mentioned to the infielder as a player the Sox might target.

"I know [Gagne] loves to compete," Cora said. "He doesn't want to go to a situation where he's going to lose. He loves LA. He loves that atmosphere . . . He's a rock star there. He's like the Canadian version of David [Ortiz]."