Baseball has lost a true titan. With the passing of Ted Turner this same week, the Braves family loses two pillars of their historic legacy; Yankee Scores reports…
Longtime Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has passed away at the age of 84.
Cox won more than 2,500 games and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
The Legacy of the “Treasured Skipper”
The Braves said they lost their “treasured skipper,” referring to Bobby Cox in an announcement concerning the manager’s death.
“We are overcome with emotion on the passing of Bobby Cox, our treasured skipper. Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched.
“Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sport’s ultimate prize in 2014 – enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“And while Bobby’s passion for the game was unparalleled, his love of baseball was exceeded only by his love for his family. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our sincerest condolences to his beloved wife, Pam, and their loving children and grandchildren.”
The two-year stint of Cox as a major-league player with the Yankees in 1968-69 resulted in a weak batting average of .225, but his managerial success was immense.
With his 2,504 wins in 29 seasons, Bobby Cox holds fourth place on the list of managers with most career victories, which include 25 years for the Braves and four seasons for Toronto. Moreover, Cox was the recipient of the Manager of the Year Award four times.
Connie Mack, John McGraw, and Tony La Russa rank above him in terms of victories.
A Tandem of Legends
Having coached the Braves from 1978 to 1981, Cox became a general manager of the team in 1986, thanks to his former colleague, Ted Turner, the team owner, who died this week at the age of 87. During his term as a general manager, Cox built a winning team.
John Schuerholz, who later became general manager for the Braves, and Cox, as their coach, formed a successful tandem in 1990.
Braves catcher Brian McCann said that Bobby Cox was one of the best human beings they have ever encountered and an icon.
Cox’s number 6 was retired by the Braves after his last season in 2011. Cox entered the Hall of Fame in 2014 with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine.
Cox had a stroke in April 2019; however, he was able to regain control of his right side and speech in some time. He was able to visit his team’s park within five months.
