Bobby Cox doing one of his best managing jobs ever
Bobby Cox's team has gone 29-10 since May 10, despite Kenshin Kawakami. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Eric Hinske has played for eight managers in his nine major league seasons, and he has determined that Bobby Cox stands out from the others in at least one way.
“He’s kind of like a mob boss,” Hinske said on Sunday. “Everybody brings him stuff – chairs, coffee, water. Then he makes the decision. He’s like our own Tony Soprano.”
Nice analogy. Especially on Father’s Day. The Braves even provided the appropriate musical score before the game against Kansas City: The “Godfather” theme played over the public address system at Turner Field.
Hopefully, Kenshin Kawakami was listening, because he might be close to waking up with a horse’s head in his bed.
Cox can’t fix Kawakami. The Braves’ manager will have to focus on simpler tasks, like world peace and planting a vegetable garden on Neptune. But aside of being subjected to the disastrous $23 million import that is his 0-9 starting pitcher, is there anything Cox is not doing right this season?
This is his last season as manager. It also has to rank as one of his best. The Braves won again Sunday, 8-5. They swept the Royals and in fact haven’t lost a series since early May (10-0-3 since). They are 29-10 since May 10, a stretch that began a day after a 5-3 loss to Philadelphia (a Kawakami loss; who knew?).
The Braves (like Troy Glaus) have hit the dirt often. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
The Braves are doing all of this despite the fact that for most of the season their big boppers aren’t bopping. They have long been a team associated with great starting pitcher, solid defense and an offense that sits back and waits for the home run, but now they’re playing small ball. Cox is manufacturing runs. He is doing the things his misguided critics have long slammed him for not doing. Hit-and-runs. Sacrifices. Squeeze bunts? Check that: Two successful squeeze plays in the span of a week.
The Braves even stole three bases Sunday, including the fourth of the season by Chipper Jones, who also had two doubles, two walks, three RBIs, two runs scored and afterward committed to playing through 2017. (Kidding.)
They’re not among the leaders in stolen bases (now with 35). But they are No. 1 in walks (317) and No. 2 in sacrifice hits (38).
“This has been different from any team I’ve been on,” Brian McCann said.
Cox, Hinske said, “has been amazing. He does it all in stride, with a poker face. We were all jacked up in Minnesota [last Saturday]. He hit and run to get the guy to third and then he squeeze bunts. He’s just standing there with a straight face. I’m like, ‘Yeah! Good job! That was awesome.’ He just kind of smirked.”
Now, there are two theories about this:
♦ The popular theory: Cox is determined to go out with a bang. Therefore, he is managing like he hasn’t since the early 1990s.
♦ The logical theory: Cox is managing differently because he has the players to do so.
“We’ve got base runners,” he said. “That means a lot. We’ve been leading or tied in games, which also helps. It’s all situations. The situation you’re in, who the hitter is, who the pitcher is. You can’t just do things all the time. If it backfires then you could be out of the ballgame completely.”
So it’s nothing orchestrated in his last season?
“Nah.”
The Go-Go Braves. Sounds strange, doesn’t it?
As Tim Hudson noted the other day, the Braves have taken on “a different personality.” They’re now playing “dirtball games. … It seemed a little bit passive and not a real aggressive type of baseball [in recent years].”
Teams are a reflection of their manager. If the Braves are scrapping more now, it’s not merely the additions to the roster but the tone and direction set by the manager.
“This year is his best,” bullpen coach and former player Eddie Perez said. “He’s doing little things I’ve never seen before. Some of the guys who’ve been here the last few years are saying, ‘My God, we’ve already got two squeeze plays.’”
Hitting coach Terry Pendleton, another former player, said of Cox: “He’s doing what he always does – managing guys to the best of their abilities. If [people] feel like he’s pulling more strings, maybe it because he’s got more strings to pull on.”
After 29 years as a manager, it turns out he knows what he’s doing.
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157 comments Add your comment
NO MORE BOBBY
June 21st, 2010
1:50 am
Take away starting KK and sticking with automatic out Nate in center and I would have to agree.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
June 21st, 2010
2:49 am
I would concur that Cox is doing an amazing job this season but not for any of the reasons already listed. My theory is…..
Cox knows he’s about to walk away from the game he loves and has been involved in for the better part of fifty years. So to say that the man knows whats what is a no-brainer. I think Bobby is just having fun and letting it all hang out, and the man has nothing to prove or lose. He’s headed to Cooperstown on the first ballot with a couple of WS rings and a sterling reputation as one of the top five managers of all time.
Yes, the one WS in 1995 gets me ticked off too because of all the others that the Braves should have won. The man contributed to a one hit wonder in 1995, and we all know that the Braves of the nineties should have been the greatest baseball dynasty since the Yankees of the sixties.
That said, Cox is just relaxed in the dugout and the on field, and winning dirt ball the Braves are playing is a reflection of their manager. He’s pulling out all the stops and managing likes his hair is on fire. But in reality, Bobby is just having the time of his life. The team and coaches have noticed, and the fans are just now picking up on it.
I just wish that Cox had managed like this during the previous nineteen seasons. So in my personal opinion, Cox is one of the greatest managers the game has ever seen. He’s also incredibly overrated because winning fifteen divisions with all that talent is expected. Coming up short in fourteen out of fifteen post season appearances is a trend.
The only thing that will change my opinion of Bobby as a one hit wonder in the post season would be winning it all again in 2010. Then I’ll stop calling Cox a one trick pony. By the way, I love the guy because Bobby Cox is a genuinely warm human being who is humble to a fault. Which makes the man truly wonderful regardless of his regular season or post season records.
TheAntiMe
June 21st, 2010
3:59 am
That dumb ole Bobby Cox. ANYBODY can win games with Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz in the starting rotation. Wait, you mean they’re not playing for the Braves this season? Nevermind!!!!!
Southside
June 21st, 2010
4:30 am
I watched KK’s 3rd inning and he was just grooving his pitches like it was bp. Wren needs to just cut the guy loose and give one of the kids at Gwinnett a shot. It damn sure would not be any worse than 0-9 and and ERA almost as big as his hat size.
Paddy
June 21st, 2010
6:34 am
BC is managing now like he did for the Syracuse Chiefs, only with alot more experience. He was always a guy who had IT. Everybody could see it after just a short time. We in ATL are very fortunate.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 21st, 2010
7:07 am
it was good to see Bobby pull KK early- KC could’ve opened up that game and put many runners on the board. kudos to the bullpen for holding it down.
turkeycaller
June 21st, 2010
7:37 am
Hope Cox goes out in style . Obvious that most players like playing for him but I also think he spawned an atmosphere of complacency and lack of spirit and drive after the Turner money was no longer there. Never have thought he was a great manager in game mgt. or having that feel for doing something that would positively affect the outcome of a game for his team. One must admit he has been successful but with some of the teams the Turner money helped procure and farm raise he should have been. Just will be glad to see him go.
John
June 21st, 2010
8:11 am
Schultz,
If 39 games a season made, then hell yes, Bobby Cox has redeemed himself in the eyes of of the misguided wretches like me who bray about his .500 post season record (overall) and the fact that his teams are 2-8 in their last 10 World Series games. All that in spite of a talent assemblage second to none (OK, OK – second to few).
As a certified Cox-basher, I’m tickled as hell to see the see the Braves over-achieving for a change. For sure, he’s contributing to the success with his new-found love of small ball. I’m also one superstitious bastard, so I don’t want to jinx things.
But if/when the Braves make the playoffs and if/when they acquit themselves respectably (for a change) then my blasphemous words uttered in vain all these years against BC will be my first meal.
But in the meantime, if anybody wants to join the Cox bashers, don’t be intimidated by the certification test. It ain’t that hard. Even though you gotta score a 100, there’s only one question:
1. Does Bobby Cox suck as a manager?
a. Yes
b. Yes
c. Yes
d. All of the above
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 21st, 2010
8:12 am
In the news, In a freak accident, a man named Ron was struck by lightning while lying in his bed.
Shug
June 21st, 2010
8:17 am
Mr. Cox has been a manager for nearly 30 years and for the majority of those years has coached his team to regular season success. However, in those 30 years he’s managed just one championship. So don’t start lauding him again. Please talk to me at the end of October.
I’ve got to go now, Gene Mauch is on the line.
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 21st, 2010
8:17 am
Great article, I think BC is doing his best job but a lot has to do with having dirt players and a lot more speed. I remeber in the early 90’s we did a lot more running but we had Otis. I think that is where baseball is heading, back to the speed game because pitching may be at its altime best.
Andy G
June 21st, 2010
8:20 am
It has certainly been a fun and exciting season thus far. Bobby is making the right decisions, but, just as importantly, the players are buying in and executing. You can’t coach Prado getting 2 hits every game or Glaus with all those clutch hits and RBIs. If Lowe misses the squeeze bunt, Bobby doesn’t look so smart. Let’s hope the good play continues…
Eric Dye in Brazil
June 21st, 2010
8:30 am
Vino Fino says it BEST…..”Nice article Jeff! This could certainly turn out to be Bobby’s finest season. His team is playing the most inspired baseball I’ve seen from an Atlanta club in years, and you just get the sense that every last player is going to do whatever it takes to send Bobby out on top. This is a lot of fun to watch!”
Pi$$onaDawg
June 21st, 2010
8:52 am
Bobby is coaching like the College coaches! Forcing the players to make plays and react to what the Braves are doing.
j
June 21st, 2010
8:54 am
Don’t send Kawakami to the pen, don’t send him to the minors either…Send his @$$ back to Japan. I am sick of this a-hole giving up runs the minute they get him a lead. I hope he takes his defenders with him.
DaveinNEPA
June 21st, 2010
9:05 am
Ok JS, I’ll agree with you that Bobby has been doing a better job this season.
That said, I still can’t support him like some can. All through the 90’s and early 00’s, this team underachieved big time and Cox was the common denominator. Too many times I watched this team lose postseason series to clearly inferior teams simply because the “sainted” manager couldn’t figure out a way to raise the intensity level.
His intense loyalty to players is also his biggest weakness in that sometimes the loyalty is to the detriment of the overall team. It took him 3 1/2 seasons to figure out just how good Martin Prado is because he was overly loyal to Kelly Johnson. That’s just 1 example out of many.
So we’re manufacturing runs a little this season. What I want to know is what took him so long. We might have had a postseason appearance last year if he had done things this way.
Tmac
June 21st, 2010
9:15 am
Nice fluff piece.
Just wait for a losing streak and the sentiment will change.
When things are going good, everything is good.
When things good bad, everyone sucks.
That’s how sports works and everyone in the media and on the field knows it.
rekingball
June 21st, 2010
9:16 am
Yeah it kind of looks like KK can’t pitch with a lead, he’s not use to it.
Navigator
June 21st, 2010
9:16 am
Here we go again, Cox is a freaking genius, rather than a hard headed old man. He didn’t manage this way early in the season when they went on a long losing streak. He adapted to a new strategy, because he was in fear his last season would be remembered as lost year run by a manager that should have retired years ago. Instead, he stops being that and is letting his team use all of their talent and confidence started to build. Don’t through out he always did this, because that is a lie!!
cattle dawg
June 21st, 2010
9:22 am
Whats boobby going to do when Mclouth comes off the dl?
TommyJack
June 21st, 2010
9:27 am
Those with medium, to little, baseball knowledge should stay away from posting on baseball threads. Stick to zits, baggy pants, tatts, I-phones, etc. Things you’re more familiar with.
extremus
June 21st, 2010
9:35 am
For all of the negative comments aimed at Bobby Cox for the lone World Series title, and all of the questions of whether the Braves had the right amount of fire to go with the professional atmosphere they consistently carried over the past fifteen years since the ‘95 Series, I think I can safely say one thing. We’ve been blessed among not only baseball franchises but among pro sports franchises the past twenty years. Most teams would give anything to have enjoyed even a fraction of those divisional and league titles and general great memories. Sure, there’s been heartbreak along the way, but guess what, we still have this season, and let’s enjoy the ride as long as we can. This team has brought an excitement and passion back to Turner Field that’s been missing since before Fulton County Stadium was bulldozed. Let’s get behind them, folks; the past is history, and as we could say in ‘91, these aren’t the “old” Braves anymore!
GO BRAVES!!!!!
Bill
June 21st, 2010
9:47 am
It’s a long season! Give Bobby Cox time. He’ll screw it up somehow. Very over rated manager. Good material with only moderate results!
Phil
June 21st, 2010
9:54 am
Looks like the Cox of old to me. Win the division and get blown away in the playoffs. Nothing new here. Cox is the losingest manager in post season history, looks like he may get to add to that illustrious title this year. Good riddance.
CanHewitt
June 21st, 2010
9:55 am
Kawakami hasn’t been as bad as his record indicates. He’s clearly a below average pitcher but he should’ve gotten a couple of wins by now. He’s had some tough luck even when he pitched well. Maybe they should switch his order with someone else. Let Hudson or Hanson pitch against other team’s David Prices. He’s probably lost his confidence in his stuff. He just needs a win to get his head back in.
Does Josh Childress fit into Hawks' plans? | Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
9:59 am
[...] ♦ Bobby Cox doing one of his best managing jobs ever [...]
yo
June 21st, 2010
10:09 am
sorry but one world series championship in the last 20 seasons, granted the year the players were on strike probably would have been 2 but the man should have retired years ago..nice enough guy but being the first loser by finishing 2nd all those years doesn’t impress me that much
yo
June 21st, 2010
10:10 am
actually to be more honest, the front office should have fired him years ago instead of hanging on to honor him
yo
June 21st, 2010
10:11 am
if the Braves didn’t want to fire him they should have told him to manage the Gwinnett Braves but that he has to step down ..that is what is fair and true
Bill in VA
June 21st, 2010
10:12 am
One of the most encouraging things I saw Sunday was Omar Infante back in there and hitting well. Didn’t watch all the game. Did he look as good as the highlights I saw??
papadawg
June 21st, 2010
10:24 am
I can’t believe it. The last year of his career and he finally learns how to use small ball instead of relying on the homerun.
Bob Horners Broken Wrist
June 21st, 2010
10:39 am
I have to agree with those who say that you make your opponents argument Jeff. We’re misguided for saying that Bobby should have been doing this all along….especially in the playoffs? Are you that dumb that you don’t realize what you are saying? The biggest difference between this team and his division winning teams is that it is deeper on the bench and in the bullpen. Prado and Glaus may be among the best players Cox has ever coached but as a whole the starters on this team are slightly above average and REQUIRE you to play for every run you get. To sit back and wait for the 3run homer as is his standard MO, means you’re scared to make a move because you don’t trust your players or your own judgement…not the stuff of HOF’ers. I like Bobby but I will ALWAYS say he squandered great talent and opportunity because of stats, superstition and being scared to make a mistake. I’m glad he’s changing but that doesn’t change my opinion of him, it only proves his detractors were right and he wasn’t.
GTSteve
June 21st, 2010
10:43 am
He did Bill, double on the first pitch he saw, and a couple of good defensive plays
Don
June 21st, 2010
10:43 am
Mr. Shultz, you must be kidding.
Are you saying that the Braves would not have won more games if Bobby Cox had not made or failed to make several quetionable if not downright absurd moves this year?
Remember that it took him over 1/4 of the season to decide to give Hinske any playing time in the outfield when two of his outfielders (at that time) were producing nothing. Granted there was no guarantee that Hinske would produce – but with two outfielders producing nothing – it was absurd to wait 1/4 of the season and through a nine game losing streak to give Hinske any playing time and find out.
Remember that it took him even longer than that (even to the present) to give Infante any playing time in the outfield with two of his outfielders producing nothing for over 1/4 of the season and through a nine game losing streak. Again this was absurd with them producing nothing.
Remember he has kept Chipper in the 3rd spot in the batting order for two seasons with him hitting in the low .200s much of the time and with very poor RBI production for a third place hitter. (And I am not saying that Chipper should not have been in the lineup – just not in the 3rd spot.)
And the list could go on.
Surely, you do not think that these things has not cost the Braves some games this year.
For improvements that are obvious, it takes Bobby Cox months to do them, if at all.
Remember that it took him two years to decide to play Prado as a regular when the other guy was not producing and it was obvious to everyone that Prado should be playing.
Remember a pinch hitter named Norton last season.
Monday thoughts « Rowland's Office
June 21st, 2010
10:58 am
[...] Jun Jeff Schultz gives Bobby well-deserved kudos on the local organ’s web site. His main point is that Bobby is managing to the strengths of [...]
Don
June 21st, 2010
11:54 am
Sorry Mr. Shultz, I misread your heading:
Bobby Cox Doing One Of “His” Best Managing Jobs Ever.
I read it:
Bobby Cox Doing One of “The” Best Managing Jobs Ever.
One of “His” best managing jobs ever – perhaps so – but one of “His” best managing jobs ever – isn’t saying very much.
Roy Hobbs
June 21st, 2010
12:30 pm
As a lifelong Braves fan, it means alot to see my Hero’s go out on top of the game. Nothing more pleasing than seeing Chipper turn things around, Bobby show off a little bit, and have them both ride off into the sunset together.
Our heros are supposed to be bullet proof.
Tami
June 21st, 2010
1:01 pm
I LOVE this article! I think it’s a combination of having the players (finally!) to pull the strings and strategic moves Bobby’s always wanted, and that poker face line. Too funny! Because one wouldn’t think of Bobby to be that strategically calculating. And, then he smirks after Hinske’s compliment. I saw the video on that several times. Hysterical, but on the money. This is such a fun season!! I don’t want it to ever end!!
Blackberry Cobbler
June 21st, 2010
1:02 pm
The difference this year is not Cox, it’s the players.
It’s players like Prado, Heyward, Glaus, and Hinske that have a little fire and enthusiasm in their belly rather than the usual laid back and pick my nose attitude that Bobby Cox imparts.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s the players.
I’ve been watching Cox and the Braves for 25 years. Two squeeze plays in 25 years ain’t too much to ask.
If McLouth and Diaz get anywhere near the starting lineup again and if and KK remains in the rotation after JJ returns, then Cox will prove to us all once again that he’s really and old bafoon.
bfred
June 21st, 2010
1:08 pm
“Professional approach” = regular-season success, post-season death.
turkeycaller
June 21st, 2010
1:16 pm
BC, Accurate post.
The Mets, Marlins and Phils suck
June 21st, 2010
1:29 pm
Remember all that talk about Frank Wren not knowing what he was doing by bringing in certain players. Well the man is a freaking genius and maybe we shoudl have made that move sooner. He has given Bobby the pieces he needs to play aggressive. Bobby is doing a masterful job thanks to Wrenn pulling out all the stops.
JuniorBridgeman
June 21st, 2010
1:30 pm
Bobby Cox is having his finest managerial season to my recollection. Not that any of the others werent great, but the Braves started the year with their starting lineup retooled again (second time in two years), this time bringing in Troy Glaus, who some thought would be unproductive and a cant-miss rookie prospect with a ton of promise in(Jayson Heyward). Its one thing to have certain pieces to the puzzle, but the manager has to make the pieces fit in all the right places. Bobby has set this Braves lineup perfectly and they have come back to life continuously winning at a high percentage. The Braves now represent one of the best lineups in all of baseball and have one of the best records. Bobby Cox has played a HUGE role in that. I know that most fans of the Braves will remember Bobby for having a lot of talent and not maximizing that talent. The chapter is not closed on Bobby Cox. My closing script for Bobbys career is that I’m hoping that the Braves win the world series this year, Bobby decides to return for one more year and the Braves win the world series championship again next year so that Bobby can leave the game a winner having won back-to-back titles. Ive always considered Bobby Cox a BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONSHIP manager, and he should have already accomplished that feat in 95-96, but the Braves/Yankees series in 96 didnt go as well as planned and Bobby never got that second consecutive championship in a row that I know he is capable of delivering. Maybe this time my theory will work. Good luck Bobby, you’re the best manager on the planet.
Tami
June 21st, 2010
1:32 pm
It’s beginning to feel like…..1995 again!
Tami
June 21st, 2010
1:35 pm
My closing script for Bobbys career is that I’m hoping that the Braves win the world series this year, Bobby decides to return for one more year and the Braves win the world series championship again next year so that Bobby can leave the game a winner having won back-to-back titles…
[ if what I tried to do doesn't work, I was trying to italicize in order to quote a blogger... ]
Amen, Junior! He can finally get that monkey off of his back.
Tami
June 21st, 2010
1:44 pm
@Bearcat & Jesse: I too have been wondering about Yunel, but as far back as last season. It appears to me that he gets himself into an “overconfident” zone while playing defense and tries to get fancy with his throws & leaps in the air. He’s likely watching too much MLB “Plays Of The Week” or something. All we want, Yunel, is CLEAN fielding. Nothing fancy….puh-leeze!!
Big Hitter
June 21st, 2010
2:00 pm
I think there needs to be a new tv channel where we follow all of these know-it-all types on their job and televise it. That way we could all blog about their mistakes and second guess them the following day. Like you idiot, you have to put the paper facing up for the fax to come out on the other side.
Baseballbuff
June 21st, 2010
2:10 pm
Bobby’s players are hitting in the clutch and otherwise executing when it counts. A clutch hit was all too rare for the post-season Braves of years past. Does this group really have that spark and passion that were seemingly missing before? So far so good.
AWJ
June 21st, 2010
2:12 pm
The Braves are on a roll and have had a very tough schedule in June. they have busted right through that tough June schedule. I think they have some of the confidence and swagger back that they have lost over the last couple of years. They have not lost a series since early May. If they continue to win 2 out of 3, they will make the World Series. I like their chances better in the playoffs when you shorten their rotation to Huddy, Hanson, and JJ. This could be a very fun summer!
JASon
June 21st, 2010
2:44 pm
Just because a team is playing good doesn’t mean the manager is doing a great job. Bobby Cox is old and detached, and his managerial style is nothing more than a routine. He doesn’t adapt to certain situations, he doesn’t look at each situation uniquely, and he relies on antiquated managing methods. So he called a squeeze play, and it worked. Ladidadida. This team’s success has nothing to do with that man.