For the first time since he was named in MLB's 2017 Houston Astros sign-stealing investigation and subsequently fired as Boston Red Sox manager, Alex Cora has spoken publicly about those events.

Cora and the Red Sox parted ways on Jan. 14, shortly after he and Carlos Beltran were the only coaches/players named among the group of Astros who used a center field video feed and a trash can-banging system to relay signs to hitters.

Since then, Cora has remained silent, apart from a brief statement following he and the Red Sox splitting.

Until now, that is.

Cora recently spoke with ESPN's Marly Rivera, and while he took the blame for his role, he disputed the notion that it was just a "two-man show."

"There has been a narrative out there of what happened. Ever since mid-November until the commissioner announced the results of the Red Sox investigation, I have read many things that are true and many others that are not," he said. "Out of this whole process, if there is one thing that I completely reject and disagree with is people within the Astros' organization singling me out, particularly [former general manager] Jeff Luhnow, as if I were the sole mastermind. The commissioner's report sort of explained, in its own way, what happened. But the [Astros players] have spoken up and refuted any allegations that I was solely responsible.

"If there is one thing I am absolutely sure of, it is that it was not a two-man show. We all did it. And let me be very clear that I am not denying my responsibility, because we were all responsible."

Cora has been suspended by MLB for the 2020 season, and even though he was let go by the Red Sox, he told ESPN that he wants to manage again.

"Right now, all I care about is my personal life and my family. This has not been an easy time for us, and it's my fault," Cora told ESPN. "Do I want to return to the game? Absolutely. That's why I worked so hard for so many years before being named Red Sox manager. But right now, all of that is secondary. My focus is on much more important things."

SNY's Andy Martino noted back in April, following MLB announcing Cora was not an active participant in the Red Sox sign-stealing of 2018, that Cora will manage again in the majors after serving his suspension.

The question still remains: Do the Astros still have a valid claim as 2017 World Series?

Cora doesn't have a straight-forward answer to that question, but he can understand why some people would feel that way, and he takes full responsibility for his role.

"I understand why people think that our championship is not valid, and it's our fault that they think that. I am being honest and I apologize for what happened and for the mistakes we made as a group," Cora said. "I understand why people are disappointed. I am disappointed in myself. At the time, one doesn't think about the consequences. It was something that kept growing and growing, and in the end, it was wrong. We made a mistake and I must pay for the consequences of my actions."

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