Boston Red Sox manager boycotts White House visit over admin's Puerto Rico hurricane relief efforts

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora will not attend his team's visit to the White House on Thursday because of his displeasure with how the Trump administration has handled aid to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, according to CBS News.

The Red Sox are scheduled to visit the White House this week after winning the World Series last season, and Cora has debated whether or not to attend for months before finally deciding against attending.

"Puerto Rico is very important to me. Cora said, according to the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia. "During the winter I spent a lot of time back home, visiting my family and friends. Unfortunately, we are still struggling, still fighting. Some people still lack basic necessities, others remain without electricity and many homes and schools are in pretty bad shape almost a year and a half after Hurricane María struck.

"Even though the United States Government has helped, there's still a long road ahead and that is OUR reality," Cora continued. "I've used my voice on many occasions so that Puerto Ricans are not forgotten and my absence (from the White House) is no different. As such, at this moment, I don't feel comfortable celebrating in the White House."

Several other players won't attend the White House visit: Xander Bogaerts, David Price, Mookie Betts and Rafael Devers.

Cora has previously indicated that he might use a White House visit to advocate for Puerto Rico and have a productive conversation about the issue.

"I don't know what kind of platform I'm going to have if I go," Cora said in January. "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."

Ultimately, Cora said conversations with his family and friends led him to the decision not to go.