Cox won’t commit to returning for another season
Could this be Bobby Cox's final season as manager? (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
The Braves released their 2010 schedule Tuesday. But that is the extent of guarantees we’re going to get from the organization right now — and I’m including the return of Bobby Cox.
When asked if he would come back for a 25th season as the Braves’ manager next year, Cox would not commit one way or the other.
“We’ll see,” he said. Anticipating a follow-up question, he repeated, “We’ll see, OK?”
He is 68 years old. The Braves are likely to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Cox has come under more criticism than at any time in the past, primarily from a frustrated segment of the fan base (and I’ll get back to that in a little bit).
But he says the age isn’t an issue, the competition still fuels him and the criticism — well, that’s a new one on him.
“I have no clue what you’re talking about,” he said. “That’s why I don’t read them.”
But there is uncertainty about next season. He repeated the, “We’ll see,” response two other times when I asked about managing in 2010. It’s not a subject he enjoys discussing. Cox never likes being the subject of an interview, but especially when it involves a topic that might be perceived as rubber-stamping the end of this season.
“I just don’t know right now,” he said. “I’m not thinking about it. I’m still trying to get us in the playoffs somehow.”
He allowed only that it’s the same decision-making process he goes through every year, saying, “It starts in spring training almost. But you always feel good then. I guess I’ll be sitting down with [management] after the season.”
Let me caution: We’ve been down this road before.
In spring training 2007, Cox made his most emphatic statement ever on retirement, saying 2008 would be his final season. “This year and next year and that’s it,” he said that day at Lake Buena Vista, and I remember being stunned by the lack of hesitation in his voice. “I still love it. I feel great. I want to do this year and next year and then probably hang it up. … I haven’t really told anybody this. But it’s what I’m thinking.”
We’re now one year past that plan.
He knows he is missing out on non-baseball things. He has eight children and 14 grandchildren. But he’s having a hard time dragging himself away from the dugout.
“The game is still amazingly fun,” he said. “To be able to participate in a game every day is every kid’s dream. That’s never changed. I still love it. It’s the competition. Whether it’s a so-so team or a great team, it’s still competition. It’s what you thrive on.”
And difficult to find a substitute for?
“Yeah — there really won’t be one,” he said. “But I think [after retirement] I’ll still be around a little bit. As long as you’re connected a little bit, I think you’re OK. I’d still like to go to spring training and things like that.”
It has been a difficult season. There were high expectations — probably too high. But when Jeff Francoeur, Jordan Schafer and Kelly Johnson all tanked early, and we half-wondered if Brian McCann was going blind, and the Braves were still a .500 team at the end of June — well, it forced this team to grind to get back in the race.
But there’s something about this team that Cox’s critics still don’t grasp: The Braves are only good, not great. With Chipper Jones slumping, they’re closer to average. They have very good starting pitching but sporadic hitting.
If and when the Braves miss the playoffs again, it won’t be because of Bobby Cox, it will be because of the personnel. But it’s the easy answer, isn’t it? Michael Vick breaks a leg, fire Dan Reeves. And where are Joe Paterno’s critics now?
There’s talk he has overworked the bullpen. Yeah. It’s really hurt Mike Gonzalez and Peter Moylan, hasn’t it? There’s talk he tried to depend too much on Jones and McCann. I’m sorry, but is there some deep bench that I’m missing? There’s talk he keeps sending the lost Greg Norton to the plate. OK, that he’s guilty of.
Maybe this is the end. But it was game day again and Cox wasn’t feeling his age.
“Too old is when you don’t like it any more,” he said.
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308 comments Add your comment
Matty ICE
September 16th, 2009
10:53 am
Bring back Russ Nixon
Phil
September 16th, 2009
10:54 am
John,
Paterno does not coach and you know it, his assistants do all the coaching. He’s just a figure head.
You say we need a new attitude. Exactly! This team has taken on the attitude of Cox. We need a new manager who will light a fire under these guys and won’t put up with non-performing slugs like Norton.
As If
September 16th, 2009
10:54 am
“There’s talk he has overworked the bullpen. Yeah. It’s really hurt Mike Gonzalez and Peter Moylan, hasn’t it?”
Yeah and that’s why you do multiple sports. You only see two feet ahead of you. You make you’re learned baseball statement today then it’s off to another venue and sport. The bullpen IS overworked. Why does Bobby bring in Medlin on a third day after he was shelled on the second straight day he pitched? Result was predictable to anyone other than Cox that the guy was gassed! Forget that Schultz? That’s one of many examples of bullpen blunders the last few years. Selective memory on your part. Bobby goes through bullpens like drunken sailors go through money. I’m not going to change your mind and YOU surely aren’t going to change the minds of fans who can see with their own eyes a manager who should have been gone long ago!
Lash La Rue
September 16th, 2009
10:57 am
The Braves need to give Bobby a VP title and move him upstairs. Get a New Manager with new life. Frank Wren needs to hire his own man!, They need to move on. Bobby’s time has past.
David
September 16th, 2009
10:58 am
I’d love to see Fredi Gonzalez come home and manage the Braves, but the Fish would be fools to let him go. I think he gets more out his players than anyone in baseball. Chipper will be the Braves hitting coach someday soon and I think Roger McDowell is doing a fine job so far. I don’t think Pendleton will be around much longer.
JASon
September 16th, 2009
10:58 am
Sometimes hitters struggle, or pitchers may have an off day. You can’t just leave them be in those situations. You’ve got to adjust, not just stubbornly stick to your deeply ingrained philosophy. Its called common sense.
Now management has to exercise their common sense.
o-me
September 16th, 2009
11:02 am
Who wants a 1954 Ford when you can get a 2010 BMW? GO HOME BOBBY–Retire are be FIRED.
Scott
September 16th, 2009
11:02 am
Ted Turner said “The only regret I had as owner of the Braves was when I fired Bobby Cox”.
In case anybody forgot, Cox was the GM in the mid 80’s that was responsible for getting the players that became the team of the 90’s, that Bobby has managed.
While he was in Toronto, they were winning divisions before Cox returned to Atlanta as manager.
Toronto then won 2 World Series Championships with Bobby’s fingerprints on them.
Bobby Cox, 4th winningest manager of all time and first ballot Hall of Famer, is an Atlanta treasure.
I hope he is the Braves manager for 10 more years…at least !
I have been a fan of the Braves since they moved from Milwaukee in 1966.
Anybody that doesn’t appreciate what Cox has done for Atlanta and the state of Georgia and, for that matter, the entire Southeast region of the USA, isn’t old enough to have gone through those horrible decades of the Braves losing in the 70’s and 80’s.
That said, thank you Bobby for all the great years…PLEASE don’t retire, you are loved and appreciated and respected by more Atlanta fans than you will ever know.
The Braves have a bright future and I am looking forward to many more successful years with Bobby at the helm.
GO BRAVES !!
Daniel
September 16th, 2009
11:03 am
Jeff- Very good blog. I stand firmly with the fans here who have commented that Bobby has forgotten more about winning baseball than I or any of these critics will ever know. Honestly, outside of Ted Turner, Bobby is the most important figure in Atlanta pro sports history. He is the man most responsible for teaching this city what it is like to have a winner. Remember Loserville? Well, I do.
Bottom line Bobby decides when it is time to go, and he has more than earned that right. All these “fans” who are killing Cox will then be singing Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi…. “Don’t know what you got til its gone..”
Nice job Jeff…. and I don’t say that to you often.
Daniel
September 16th, 2009
11:04 am
Scott- I agree with you 100%
o-me
September 16th, 2009
11:08 am
Scott you are clueless on some of your statements…check your facts. Like someone else said, Bobby’s time was in past. Time to move forward.
The Other Doug
September 16th, 2009
11:08 am
Bobby has been a fine manager. I get frustrated with some of his moves, but he can’t compensate for the serious talent deterioration we have experienced for the last five or six years. I think we have stabilized and have a good foundation to build on for next year. We’re not there yet, but we have stopped the bleeding and next year’s success will depend on some intelligent moves this off-season. I don’t feel the desperation any more. If Wren is as successful this winter as last, I think Bobby can manage us into the playoffs next year and retire with a nice round 25 years under his belt and look forward to the HOF. (Maybe he can take Chipper with him).
As If
September 16th, 2009
11:10 am
“There’s talk he has overworked the bullpen. Yeah. It’s really hurt Mike Gonzalez and Peter Moylan, hasn’t it?”
There are 30 major league teams. There are 3 members of the Braves pen who are in the top 9 in appearances!(Moylan, Gonzo and O’flaherty) With 30 teams you would think that any team who had 2 pitchers in the top 9 would make one raise an eyebrow but for one team to have fully one third of the pitchers in the top nine in appearances in all of baseball shows the manager is overworking his pen!
So if it’s ok for the pen to pitch all those innings why isn’t it OK for his starters to pitch a few more innings instead of going to the same guys in the pen so often? After all, the starters have been an effective group for sure.
Phil
September 16th, 2009
11:10 am
Scott,
Toronto won 2 titles after that buffoon left, he couldn’t get it done himself, Cito Gaston had to do it.
4th winningest manager as you pointed out. Also 6th LOSINGEST manager all time. LOSINGEST manager in post season history.
You want him around for another 10 years? Lord have mercy.
curtis jones
September 16th, 2009
11:12 am
Absolutely, Cox lovers. Bring him back. Because if he’s not at the helm in 2010, we might not make the playoffs! (Oh, wait…)
o-me
September 16th, 2009
11:14 am
If you don’t know what you got till its gone= You got to be a dumb a@@…. not to know.
curtis jones
September 16th, 2009
11:14 am
“I think we have stabilized and have a good foundation to build on for next year”
Yep, when Cox’s team plays in a pressure-free environment, safely out of the pennant race, they are unstoppable. That’s why Kelly Johnson is Cox’s kind of player!
georgiavol
September 16th, 2009
11:14 am
Bobby = Complacency in the dugout
He makes it too easy for these guys. And with no head on the horse in the ownership box, it won’t change.
And don’t even get me started on TP’s or Frank Wren’s ineptitude.
Hayseed Dixie
September 16th, 2009
11:15 am
Dear Bobby Cox,
If luck, as Schuerholz says, is a factor that rivals talent in winning baseball playoffs, one thing you have proved is that you *consistently* scare off that luck. I don’t know how- maybe your wife knows.
Ride off into the sunset while you can, Bobby.
-Hayseed
As If
September 16th, 2009
11:17 am
“Ahh……the FIRE COX now crowd is a great bunch. They mean well but just dont quite get it. ”
I get it and I know lots of others get it. If Bobby was running a Fortune 500 company, he wouldn’t be the CEO any more. It’s about performance and results.
Any fans who want to see the Braves become a factor again are going to have to stop thinking with their hearts and sentiment and start thinking with their heads! What? Bobby wins a World Series and so he has a home for life?
Yeah and GM ruled the world at one time but that’s not how it is today. I don’t notice any of their old management around because they did well in 1995!
JimK
September 16th, 2009
11:18 am
Frank Wren has done a good job rebuilding our team (Vazquez, Jurrjens, McLouth, LaRoche, Gonzalez, Soriano, not to mention Hanson and all the stupid things he hasn’t done) that I’ll go with whatever decision he makes.
My advice would be to promote Bobby back into the front office as a GM Emeritus/advisor where he could publicly address some of the key issues facing baseball: winning younger fans without compromising the tone of the game; improving the moral culture surrounding baseball, e.g. on issues like PED’s; and international scouting and talent development. The team should pay him to write his memoirs, and let him discuss his approach to handling players throughout the organization.
The only reason I’d advise them to keep Bobby working late in the dugout for one more year would be if Joe Torre says he’d like to return to Atlanta to finish his managerial career here, beginning in 2011. The last time Torre succeeded Bobby here he quickly got us to the postseason. Torre is the best manager of our time. But I don’t expect Joe to leave L.A. Going down the list of other top managers, LaRussa will probably stay in St. Louis, Scoscia will stay put, Girardi certainly will, Francona — hey maybe our next manager should have a name ending in a vowel, that seems to work pretty well.
Jim R
September 16th, 2009
11:18 am
My word what a bunch of whining know-nothings we have in Atlanta. It makes me wonder if any of you(and you know who you are) ever even played in a game of baseball. Anything can happen. Does anybody remember the home run Leyritz hit in the ‘96 series? That was Bobbies’ fault? Point being anything can happen in a baseball game. Woulda,shoulda, coulda, is something for losers. Bobby Cox is a winner and bad decisions come with the game. I’d venture to say that BC has made infinitely more right decisions than bad ones. Let him decide when to leave. He’s earned that much as far as I’m concerned. JR
Don
September 16th, 2009
11:24 am
I can’t argue that Cox has forgotten more about baseball that some of us know —- He must have forgotten it because he hasn’t show any significant management skills since being manager of the Braves. Can anyone really look at all his blunders (actions and failures to act) this year and say that he has not cost us enought games to be in contention?
Phil
September 16th, 2009
11:25 am
As If,
Bobby Bowden was a heck of a coach in his prime. Now he’s just a senile old man propped up on the sidelines. Did you watch the Miami/Florida Sate game? He’s just standing there on the sidelines without a headset on, in the background as the assistants call the plays, huddle and talk with the players.
Cox is almost to this point, only he’s still allowed to make insane decisions night after night. You have to pull the plug on these guys at some point. 1995 was a long time ago like you pointed out. Cox’s best days are light years behind him.
Salamander
September 16th, 2009
11:28 am
Who wants a 1954 Ford when you can get a 2010 BMW? GO HOME BOBBY–Retire are be FIRED. o-me
So you’re suggesting that a -1 year old German can manage a baseball team better than a 55 year old American? How exactly does your poor excuse for an analogy relate to the Braves’ management situation?
William
September 16th, 2009
11:30 am
I am an American! Like Patton said, Americans like a winner and wont tolerate a loser!” Bobby has been a loser for some time. Just how much losing can you take. He won 2400 games in 24 yrs playing 165 games a year. One world series and blew several more. I guess as Americans you have lost your ruggedness if you want Bobby to hang around.
curtis jones
September 16th, 2009
11:32 am
“Bobby Cox is a winner and bad decisions come with the game..”
Well, he has indeed proven that he is very good at making bad decisions.
Phil
September 16th, 2009
11:32 am
Bobby Cox, LOSINGEST manager in post season history. Do we have to say anything else??
Joseph
September 16th, 2009
11:33 am
Thanks to Bobby for all he is done but its time to hang it up. He is guilty of not just Norton, but also leaving pitchers in when we knew they were about to blow up, and sticking relievers in when we knew the started has more juice (see recent Hanson loss). Its OK to say that we thank Bobby and love Bobby and he will always be a part of Braves history, but we need a new and more aggressive approach to the game. (YOST?)
Time For A Change
September 16th, 2009
11:34 am
Bobby’s management of the bullpen and his love for Greg Norton continue to baffle me. He has done a lot for the Braves over the years, but it is time for him to start fishing in Adairsville. There is clearly no fire in that dugout, and it all starts at the top.
rico43
September 16th, 2009
11:36 am
The people who slam Cox as a “bad manager” (blanked statement) obviously were not around to see Russ Nixon and (especially) Eddie Haas run the ship aground. Bobby’s misguided faith in Norton and his overuse of the bullpen are points, but not overwhelming, compelling reasons. My argument for him to step down is that I frequently look at him during a game and see someone who has nowhere else to go. He seems to have days where the fire is gone.
My modest proposal, unconventional though it is, is that the Braves hire Bobby’s replacement now and have him serve as Bobby’s bench coach in 2010. This might mean firing Cadahia, but does anyone really know what he does besides give Bobby options he either ignores or fails to hear?
curtis jones
September 16th, 2009
11:42 am
When you Cox lovers counter with arguments like, “He’s better than Russ Nixon, or Eddie Haas, Chuck Tanner, etc.” it has no relevance to where we are TODAY.
We are out of the playoff race because an overrated manager (who rode 3 great arms to limited postseason success many years ago,) has mis-managed a good team this year, costing them more than enough games to win a division.
Get your heads out of the past, and look to 2010. Let’s find someone with enough fire and brainpower to put the Braves back into postseason play. The talent is sufficient to win the NL East. We’re a leadoff hitter and clean-up hitter away from doing even better. Find those two missing parts, get Chipper healthy and bat him 6th or 7th, and get some brainpower in the manager’s chair, and the Braves can FINALLY return to the postseason.
Glenn Koch - Huntsville AL
September 16th, 2009
12:20 pm
If Bobby leaves after this season . . . who will replace him; my thoughts are leaning towards Terry Pendelton as the next Brave’s Manager!
njbraves
September 16th, 2009
12:27 pm
NEWSFLASH…..Freddy Gonzalez is under contract with the Marlins…He will not be the guy. Everyone screaming for Bobby to retire is going to be sorry when they name TP the new manager.
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12:30 pm
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Chris
September 16th, 2009
12:32 pm
Between this and the Falcons blogs, I have come to the conclusion that this really isn’t the worst sports town – just full of the worst sports fans.
ptjacktes
September 16th, 2009
1:04 pm
As Braves fans we don’t know how good we have had it until its all over. Greg Madox, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Chipper Jones, Bobby Cox all are hall of famers! To those that don’t like Bobby Cox I remember the same people saying the same things about Vince Dooly when he was stil At Ga and after him look at what you got until now!!!
Wm J
September 16th, 2009
1:12 pm
Given the talent he has had, only one World Series is a disgrace. He should have been fired years ago.
Tomy Fournier
September 16th, 2009
1:39 pm
OHHH BOBBY…BOBBY…BOBBY…MORON…MORON…MORON..I WOULD LIKE TO SAY YOU….GOOD BY…GOOD BY…GOOD BY…FOR EVER AND EVER!!!!
Mike
September 16th, 2009
1:42 pm
Manny Acta please!!
Is Bobby Cox going to call it quits?
September 16th, 2009
1:43 pm
[...] Jones recently dropped hints that he may not play out his contract. Could Bobby Cox be gone soon too? When asked if he would come back for a 25th season as the Braves’ manager next year, Cox would [...]
East Cobb Braves Snob
September 16th, 2009
1:45 pm
Well, if all you have throughout 2009 is pitching, you can’t mismanage it. Why did Bobby Cox and Roger McDowell not remove Derek Lowe from the 8 run Mets game fiasco? Why bring Medlen in after a heavy night of pitching the evening before and then Moylan who threw one pitch? Why when the entire viewing community believed Tommy Hanson should finish a game, would you go to any other pitcher, and potentially cost the team the win and Tommy the “Rookie of the Year”. Why do we never have an understanding of the on/off switch that is Manny Acosta-you-the-game. Manny is either awesome or awful. It is easy to recognize and apparently difficult to act upon. And, did we have to watch Peter Moylan go through the healing – cobweb removal process at the major league level at the beginning of the year? It cost us game after game. Hudson was gone forever and came up very sharp, and yes, too late. And, oh yeah, let’s drudge our way through Kenshin Kawakami as a starter losing game after game in the front half, and then, for kicks when he becomes effective as a starter, put him in the bullpen as an experiment when everything is on the line. Our closer is Gonzalez, no Soriano, no Gonzalez, no Soriano, no who is available, no Gonzalez, no… It is still a one dominating closer world out there.
East Cobb Braves Snob
September 16th, 2009
2:25 pm
P.S. If Liberty Media had approved the P.O. to absorb the cost of Tommy Hanson coming up earlier, we probably would be talking about him being a 20 game winner and potentially considering setting up our post season rotation. I was there during his first game, the no-decision where he gave up some runs vs. the Brewers. That fruit was ripe in March 2009. Shame, shame, shame on throwing away a season with that kind of weapon in your hands to postpone arbitration-tenure-status.
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Nosepicker Eeyore Cox
September 16th, 2009
3:22 pm
I am completely clueless. Somebody please put me out of my misery. Surely Frank Wren will come to his senses and realize that I am brain dead and am a key reason for the Braves’ failure to win in 2009. It was my decision to keep running the pathetic Francoeur, slumping Kelly, and injured Schafer out there every day.
Only me, the insufferable donkey, would continue to use the same 3 relief pitchers even in non-save situations. I am the worst in-game tactician in the last 100 years of MLB. Shame on Braves fans for tolerating my mediocrity and senility, just because I had 3 HOF starters for 10+ years.
abudefdef
September 16th, 2009
3:27 pm
Braves are primed to do great things next year…trade Lowe or Kawakami for a big hitter, re-sign Huddy and Vazquez to extensions, and they just solidified the best 5 man rotation in baseball for the next few years-Hudson, Vazquez, Jurrjens, Hanson, Lowe/Kawakami…add that hitter to a lineup and you get Mclouth-Prado-Chipper-HITTER-McCann-Yunel-LaRoche/Freeman/Heyward/Diaz/Infante-pitcher…pretty good lineup that Bobby should have no problems winning with…he’s earned the right to manager in ATL as long as he wants IMHO, go on with your bad self Bobby! True Braves fans love ya, and always will!
John Doe
September 16th, 2009
3:29 pm
Hire me…I will work for 20% of Cox’s salary…I have 15 years experience of managing baseball (on various gaming stations, which can’t be too different than real life)…I can do it cheaper than most managers! For hire (plus, it’s a tough job market out there, and I need a job!)
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alligatorimpersonator
September 16th, 2009
6:39 pm
I have utmost respect for Bobby, and I think when it comes to player management there is none better, but that is only just part of a manager’s job. The bigger part of a manager’s job is to MANAGE games in the best possible way to give the team the best chance to win – and honestly, I think Bobby does a poor job at that. He manages by playing favoritism, sticking to tradition, and making poor bullpen decisions that COST US WINS. John Scherholz was the main reason the Braves had that 14 year run, and Bobby was the reason that we only won one world series title.
Mike Malone
September 16th, 2009
6:53 pm
Why isn’t this a news story–instead of buried in your column? This should be your lead sports story today with reaction from Wren,
Scherholtz and some of the players about Bobby not committing to next year. It probably is his last year.