Chad Tracys record Red Sox win streak mirrors dad

Winning streaks convey a life of their own to a clubhouse, each day presenting another alternative to prolong the enjoyment and methodically construct a feeling of invincibility.

Inevitably the streak ends and everybody sighs, displays and returns to work. The Boston Red Sox misplaced the second recreation of a doubleheader Wednesday to end a win streak that tied an 80-year-old membership record when it reached 15 in the opener.

Boston interim supervisor Chad Tracy stepped into the clubhouse to say a few phrases afterward but noticed veteran gamers Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray talking to the workforce and allowed them the second.

“We just won 15 games in a row, and I think all of us knew it was going to end at some point,” Tracy said.

Call it the “Tracy Turnaround” redux.

Tracy had never managed, coached or performed at the major league degree before changing Alex Cora on April 25, but he was well-versed in experiencing the wonderful experience of a profitable streak and its abrupt end. His father, Jim Tracy, managed the Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies from 2001-2012.

Like his son, Jim Tracy was given an interim supervisor title when he changed Clint Hurdle in May 2009 after Colorado’s poor start. It took only a few weeks before the Rockies gained 11 video games in a row, 17 of 18 and completed 74-42 to make the playoffs.

This yr’s Red Sox can only hope their U-turn under Chad Tracy mirrors his dad’s. Boston was 32-46 before profitable 20 of 23, including the 15-game win streak.

No shock that father and son mentioned the similarities. Chad was a double-A first baseman with the Texas Rangers in 2009 and carefully adopted his dad’s fortunes.

“I remember the [Rockies’] run,” Chad said. “You know, we talk very basically about just, he’s excited [about the Red Sox]. He’s a baseball fan. He’s watching constantly, and he’s fired up for it. So, like, we haven’t done a whole lot of comparing to that, but he’s just — he’s a Boston Red Sox fan.”

Jim was rewarded by changing into the second interim supervisor in MLB historical past to win the Manager of the Year award. Chad might be in the operating to be the third, particularly if the Red Sox make the playoffs.

They already are only the sixth father-son combo to handle in the major leagues, following Bob and Aaron Boone, George and Dick Sisler, Bob and Joel Skinner, Buddy and David Bell, and Felipe Alou and Luis Rojas.

The achievement isn’t misplaced on Jim Tracy, who grew to become so emotional upon studying his son was named interim Red Sox supervisor he pulled his car to the facet of the street. He attended Chad’s first recreation, a victory over the Baltimore Orioles, on the top step of the dugout.

“One thing that jumped out at me,” Jim Tracy said, “was that when he was presented to the media, his body language in the dugout…. he was not overwhelmed or fazed with anything that was going on. He was ready to do whatever was asked of him.”

That Chad changed Cora, who led the Red Sox to the 2018 World Series title in his first season, elicited blended emotions. Cora performed with the Dodgers from 1998-2004, including 4 seasons under Jim.

“It’s a wonderful day, but in some respects, it’s bittersweet,” Jim said the day of Chad’s managerial debut. “I’m proud of [Chad], but the Tracy family loves and respects Alex Cora.

“You have to go back with some special years I had in Los Angeles and Alex was very much a part of that. Bittersweet is the right word because Alex was so good to my son and took such good care of him. But it was reciprocated.”