Topic: Alex Cora

José Alexander "Alex" Cora (born October 18, 1975 in Caguas, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball infielder for Washington Nationals. He played college baseball at the University of Miami.

Cora was drafted in the 12th round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft by the Minnesota Twins, but did not sign a contract and decided instead to play collegiate baseball at the University of Miami. While there, Cora was named to the College World Series all-tournament team in both 1995 and 1996. He led the team to the title game in 1996, a game they lost to Louisiana State University.

Having been rated by Baseball America as the best collegiate defensive player going into the 1996 draft, Cora was once again drafted, this time by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round. Cora made his major league debut on June 7, 1998 for the Dodgers, and spent the next seven years in Los Angeles, hitting .246 with 27 home runs and 173 RBIs. During his time with the Dodgers he played at second and shortstop, and became a full-time second baseman when Paul Murray became the full-time shortstop. Since then, has played left field (with Cleveland), first base and third base (with Boston).