For years one man has sat in the Atlanta dugout through all of the pennant chases and division races, even as the faces all around him have changed. Braves manager Bobby Cox was a stalwart in the Braves organization, serving two tours of duty as Atlanta’s manager (and one stint as its GM) and he oversaw the team’s only World Series title in the city of Atlanta. Cox is simply known as the Skipper to his players and nearly all of them would run through a brick wall to Cox if he asked them to do so.
It has been well documented the Cox was involved in the “recruitment” of closer Billy Wagner, and the longtime Braves legends such as Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Chipper Jones all have nothing but positive things to say about their manager. In some ways, Cox was the part of the reason that each of those players stayed with the Braves as long as they did/have or the reason he returned to the club.
The current batch of Braves, currently in playoffs after winning Cox’s first and only Wild Card title in his final year on the bench, recognizes the importance of this final playoff appearance for the Skipper. Starter Tommy Hanson says while it isn’t his only focus, he wants to give a good effort for the only manager he’s ever played for in his young major league career. “When you go out there you obviously want to win the game and go out there and do well, especially with it being Bobby’s last year.”
The Braves manager has had an impact on more than just Hanson, Glavine, Smoltz and Jones though over his career. Cox has transformed into an Atlanta icon in his time with the club as everyone can picture No.6 shouting encouragement from the dugout, donning a huge, puffy jacket or probably getting tossed out of a game. Cox has taken the Braves to the playoffs now 15 times since returning to Atlanta’s bench and the Braves have gone to the World Series five times under his hand. Perhaps the most impressive bullet point on Cox’s resume though has to be winning 14 straight division titles.
In 1991, just one season after finishing dead last in the National League, the Braves made the Worst-to-First run to reach Game Seven of the World Series before falling to the Minnesota Twins. At the tail-end of 1990, Cox moved down to the manager’s bench for the last 97 games, going 40-57 before righting the ship to go 94-68 in 1991. The next season the Braves represented the National League yet again in the World Series but again came up just short to the Blue Jays. After claiming a division title in 1993 and missing out on the World Series in 1994 due to the strike, the Braves were right back in the Series in 1995 though this time Cox and company won it all. The team sported a two games to none lead in 1996 but let that one slip away to the New York Yankees. The Braves would lose again to the Yankees in the 1999 World Series but still make the playoffs each year until 2006, when the playoffs were held sans Atlanta for the first time since George HW Bush was president in 1990. After winning 91 games this season, Cox won 90+ games 14 times with the Braves during his tenure and compiled a record of 2149-1709 with Atlanta, 2504-2001 overall. Three times (1991, 2004, 2005) he was crowned National League manager of the year and he skippered the National League All-Star team five times in his career.
But will just numbers define Bobby Cox’s impact? I don’t believe it will. Cox should be remembered, interestingly enough, for his ejection record. Cox was tossed 158 times as of the end of the regular season, but the particular number isn’t important; the reason he was ejected was he was always sticking up for his players. He respects his players and would rather sacrifice his presence in the game to keep his star pitcher or stud third baseman in the lineup. “I treat them like I’d want to be treated. I’d want my boss to stand up for me,” said Cox recently about why he takes the bullet so often for one of his charges. “We’re very fortunate to have found good players and to have good players,” Cox says, giving his players all of the credit after a win while he takes all of the blame after a loss.
With Cox retiring from his role as manager, he should have plenty of time over the next few years to visit Cooperstown, New York, for Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies. Three of his former pitchers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz are locks for entry and Chipper Jones, once he retires, should be up for a bronze bust. “Hopefully I live long enough to see them in the Hall of Fame,” Cox blushed about his former charges before adding simply a “we’ll see,” in regards to his own bronze bust appearing in Cooperstown.
As much as his players love giving it their all for him, his coaches may respect him even more. Pitching coach Roger McDowell has been very glowing when discussing his boss with the Braves. “I’m very lucky to have gotten the opportunity to be on the staff with Bobby Cox as manager and everybody knows how great a manager Bobby Cox is but he’s an even better person,” says McDowell, who has served as Braves pitching coach for the last five seasons after Cox helped the team go after him hard to replace former pitching coach Leo Mazzone. “I’ve formed a tremendous relationship and good friendship (with Cox) and hopefully we’ll continue that as the years go on.”
Cox’s coaching tree has yielding several offshoots, as his influence has spread all over Major League Baseball. Jimy Williams left Atlanta after a successful run for a turn as Boston’s manager in the mid-90s then a stint as manager of the Houston Astros. Fredi Gonzalez was a former third base coach for Cox before becoming the Marlins bench boss a few seasons ago. Ned Yost was also a loyal Bobby Cox lieutenant for years before going on to win over 450 games for the Milwaukee Brewers. Yost returned to Turner Field this past season as manager of the Kansas City Royals, and the student and teacher embraced in the Braves clubhouse tunnel before game one of the series. A few of Cox’s former players have also used some of the knowledge gained from playing for the Braves skipper in coaching/managing careers. Ozzie Guillen won a World Series title with the Chicago White Sox in 2005 after spending a few season starring at shortstop in Atlanta under Cox. Terry Pendleton is currently the Braves hitting coach after serving two tours of duty under Cox in Atlanta as a player. Randy St. Claire has also been a pitching coach for both Washington and Florida after pitching for the Braves during his career.
Cox is a lock to get in to the Hall of Fame once he is eligible and Atlanta fans should puff out their chest when he does get inducted. He has earned his spot by putting Atlanta on the map in the 1990s and the 2000s and Braves fans should be thankful for his time here. Now he will try and make one last run to the World Series to boost his resume and ride out with a blaze of glory.
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