Live from the ballyard: For Bobby Cox, the end really is nigh
He announced his plans to retire more than a year ago, and he and I have talked about it a half-dozen times since. But it didn’t really hit me until after the third game in Philadelphia last week, when the Philly and national writers stopped to shake his hand as they were leaving. Bobby Cox really is going away.
Love him or lampoon him, he has become part of our lives. He has managed the Braves since June 22, 1990, and we pause here to note that Georgia’s football coach on that distant date was Ray Goff, that Georgia’s basketball coach was Hugh Durham and that Juan Antonio Samaranch had not yet announced that the 1996 Summer Olympics were coming to “the city of Atlanta.”
Twenty years in the same job. Fourteen first-place finishes. One World Series title. (And only one, as his critics constantly remind us.) That’s a Hall of Fame resume, but sometimes I wonder if anyone around here can cut through the blather to see it.
It has become locally convenient to credit Bobby Cox for none of the games the Braves win while debiting him for every single loss. Anyone could have managed Glavine and Maddux and Smoltz, goes the line of thinking, except that no team in the history of sports has ever managed itself. (The Cubs had Mark Prior and Kerry Wood a few years ago — how’d those prized young arms turn out?)
And now we hear that Cox is culpable for his final club’s September slide, which again makes me wonder if I’m seeing the same doings as everyone else. With Chipper Jones hurt and Troy Glaus used up and Jair Jurrjens and Kris Medlen hurt and essentially an empty chair playing center field, does this look like a first-place team?
It isn’t Cox who has dragged the Braves down, I submit, but Cox who propped them up — 99 days in first place — so long. A lesser manager wouldn’t have kept this team buoyant after a poor April, but this manager kept believing in guys and tinkering with his lineup until something finally worked, and suddenly it was Memorial Day and the Braves were in first place.
We can and will quibble over his in-game decisions. That’s part of baseball. (As the famous baseball man Rocky Bridges had it: “There are three things the average American male thinks he can do better than anyone else: Build a fire, run a hotel and manage a big-league baseball club.”) I wouldn’t suggest that Cox never errs when it comes to tactics. Every manager does.
But I would suggest a team of such modest means that has conjured up 24 victories in its final at-bat has overcome both credulity and its modest means. I would suggest that these Braves rose so high for so long — and could well make the playoffs even now — because they were managed by a true believer. Who else would have stuck with Glaus into May?
Maybe Cox shouldn’t have bunted with Martin Prado against the Nationals last month. (He got mad at me for asking.) Maybe he should have redone his rotation to match Philly’s Big Three last week. (Although a long post by Eric Seidman on the pay site Baseball Prospectus examined the decision after the fact and reached no conclusion.) Maybe he should have given up on Rick Ankiel sooner. (But didn’t Ankiel drive in both runs in Washington on Sunday?)
OK, enough. The point here isn’t to try to persuade any of the bashers. If the space that awaits Cox in Cooperstown isn’t evidence enough for those folks, nothing will be. Today’s intent is to say that we soon we will be taking our last look at the greatest manager we’ll ever see. And if you’re too busy griping to give him his due, you have my condolences.
With that, I’ll open the floor for questions, comments and the usual Cox counterarguments. It’s overcast at Turner Field at the moment, but I wouldn’t take that as an omen. I have a positive feeling about the Braves this week, and I’ll be obliged if you join me in keeping the good vibrations happenin’, as it were.
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1,048 comments Add your comment
Randy
September 27th, 2010
7:57 pm
Jeff = Jesse
Variables in separate posts
I love the excuse making. That’s when you know you’re a loser when you spout off like this crybaby loser. Loooo-sa
Enjoy another chokefest tonight.
George
September 27th, 2010
7:58 pm
For someone who grew up in Atlanta (near the stadium, in fact) and suffered through some of the worst teams in baseball, Bobby Cox deserves the keys to the city for what he’s accomplished over the past many years. I used to go to the ballpark to watch the OTHER teams. The Braves had “players” like Sonny Jackson.
Bobby Cox began to change things. Not immediately. But soon after his arrival the Braves as we had known them began to change. Who can forget the late great Skip Carey’s pronouncement that the Braves were going to the big dance – finally. I credit a large part of that to Bobby Cox.
So, here’s to you Bobby. You’ve made this fan proud. May the remainder of your days be peaceful and happy.
Trey
September 27th, 2010
7:58 pm
Well Sonny, I have a tomahawk tatoo chopping through my back, the Cursive A on my right shoulder, on my left have the screaming Indian.
Mike
September 27th, 2010
7:59 pm
Mark…any thoughts on “Baseball 10th inning?”
Hours and hours of mooching on the roided up Sawx finally winning a championship from the previews.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
September 27th, 2010
7:59 pm
Don’t ya’ll just hate logic?
Randy
September 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
Jeff is Jesse
Both use the lame variables crap to say a 5 or 7 game series in one sport. It is no different. Notice no response when I shelled him with the 3 braves aces for 12 years. LOL
No comeback because there is none! But that’s what a loser does. Name calls!
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
Not many people know that two years ago the AJC ran a story about Jeff’s lucky underpants. Running an underpants story in a major market newspaper is not something everybody could pull off. Wait, not the underpants, the story. Anyway, the Braves were out of it and lucky underpants was about all they had to talk about. Jeff was embarrassed and asked to be traded. Writing about baseball is pretty hard when all the players talk in cliches and “uh”s and “you knows”. Mark does a pretty good job.
Jesse Stone
September 27th, 2010
8:01 pm
wrong again Randy. Try again
Coach (2011 or Bust)
September 27th, 2010
8:01 pm
Think quick, what manager has lost more post season games than anybody in ML history? Clue, he’s about to retire.
bucky oneil
September 27th, 2010
8:01 pm
Pete – I agree with you. I think the measure of success in baseball is figured a bit differently. 162 games is a grind.
Randy
September 27th, 2010
8:01 pm
Yep coach. A 7% success rate is not successful at all!
Jesse Stone
September 27th, 2010
8:02 pm
Randy- I did respond. Can’t you read? I said, what HOF position players did BC have over that period. To win games, you must pitch well AND SCORE RUNS
Season Fan
September 27th, 2010
8:02 pm
How is the Rain coming along?
D Hyder
September 27th, 2010
8:04 pm
Hell of a manager….
mike
September 27th, 2010
8:04 pm
Hate to see booby go, got used to watching good teams play in the post season.
Jesse Stone
September 27th, 2010
8:04 pm
LaRussa- McGwire, Canseco, Stewart, Eckersly, R. Henderson, Pujols, Wainwright, Carpenter
Torre- Too many to list
DeGarmo
September 27th, 2010
8:04 pm
Enter your comments here
Coach (2011 or Bust)
September 27th, 2010
8:05 pm
My work here is done. Braves nation is better for it.
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
8:05 pm
Bravos33, I think that could well happen. But the Braves are just trying to get from one day to the next at present.
Dick
September 27th, 2010
8:06 pm
If you all think Bobby is the greatest manager in this gtime frame, have I got a nice island I would like to sell you just 25 miles north of Durqango Colorado. He doesn’t hold a nat to those like Joe Torre Billy Martin, Casey Stengal. 14 NL titles and one world series. He sticks to long wiht a picure, is too dedicated to those who start regular but yet are in a batting funk.
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
8:06 pm
Rain has all but stopped. We’re close to playing some ball
Randy
September 27th, 2010
8:06 pm
Hey I am sure an attorney with a 7% success rate at winning cases will be in business for a long time!
K Brave
September 27th, 2010
8:06 pm
Jesse, you are wasting your time with actual logic with these guys. They just can’t see cause it’s kinda dark where thier heads are…..
DeGarmo
September 27th, 2010
8:06 pm
This TIME next year……we will be missing Bobby MORE !!! Thanks for all the good years #6
DC Braves Fan
September 27th, 2010
8:06 pm
Randy, why so angry? I’m just curious…I mean do you have nothing better to do?
bucky oneil
September 27th, 2010
8:07 pm
Jesse Stone – Cox – Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux, Jones -One position player
Jesse Stone
September 27th, 2010
8:08 pm
Exactly Bucky- BC had had good pitching over the years, but lacking bats.
Milt Famey
September 27th, 2010
8:08 pm
Randy, Are you a very angry Braves fan or actually a Phillies fan just trying to pi– all the Braves fans off? Truth is, Sept has been terrible for a number of reasons. We lost Chipper just as he was starting to hit, Hudson has been MIA since approx. Sept 1, Jurrjens has been hurt, Farnsworth and Ankiel decided to not show up,etc. But let’s don’t blame the players; it must be the Manager. Right?
Braves fan
September 27th, 2010
8:08 pm
Randy is an idiot and the Hall of Fame induction will prove it.
Jesse Stone
September 27th, 2010
8:09 pm
Randy- Is everyone hear pronouncing your idiocy the same person under different names?
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2010
8:10 pm
With a name like Trey, 3 tattoos sounds about right. Are they in color? Colorful tattoos make a casual fan a “real” fan. A lot of “real” fans blogging here tonight. As they are saying on television . . . “don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”
Christopher Chance
September 27th, 2010
8:11 pm
I just found out that the Braves are going to pitch both Hudson and Lowe on 3 days rest the rest of the season.
I can FINALLY say that I agree with Bobby Cox on something, lol. Because of the predicament that we’re in….the SMART move is to have Hudson AND Lowe start 4 of the final 6 games (Hudson on Tuesday, Lowe on Wednesday……Hudson on Saturday, Lowe on Sunday).
What that means is that depending on how much Hanson is used today…….Lord Bobby can either come back with Hanson on Friday (3 days rest)……or use either Jurrjens/Beach/Minor combo on Friday…..and have Hanson available to pitch in short relief if Hudson or Lowe falters on Saturday or Sunday.
Another option would be for Bobby to come back with Hanson on Saturday (meaning he’d be pitching on his regular 4 days of rest) and have Hudson on Sunday (with Lowe available to pitch in short relief should Hudson falter on Sunday).
The point is that by announcing that Lowe and Hudson will be available to start 4 of the final 6 games of the season…..Lord Bobby is stating that these are MUST WIN GAMES and that he’s willing to do what it takes to put our guys in position to win.
Maybe, just maybe……our guys will FINALLY get the sense of urgency that this time of year is….and start playing the kind of ball it takes to get into the play-offs.
I like this move. The day off on Thursday gives the Braves more flexibility to make a move like this.
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
8:11 pm
First time I’ve said this in a long time: A chilly night at the ballyard.
Bill
September 27th, 2010
8:12 pm
Do you believe phillies will play there subs the last three games? I really hope they play there starters. No excuses then.
Fredi x Braves Coach
John Farrell.Red Sox Coach
Jose Oquendo Cards Coach
Greg Walker White Sox hitting coach
My hope list for Manager next year.
Thanks Bobby for all the Funny, excitement,dreams, hope and looking so much like my Dad. He was a big Cox fan and died at 88 after watching a Braves game in hospital we won.
Jesse Stone
September 27th, 2010
8:13 pm
Why doesn’t Dave Martinez’s name come up more ofter. He is Joe Madden’s 2nd in charge…and an ex-Brave
Bill
September 27th, 2010
8:14 pm
Fun not funny.The question was for u Mark.
Bravesfan79
September 27th, 2010
8:15 pm
Were going to Win this series, and take 2 out of 3 from the Phillies.. and we WILL make the playoffs!
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
8:15 pm
I do think the Phillies will go with the B-team, Bill.
Juatafan
September 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
Playball!
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
Florida not using Hanley Ramirez in this one
Jesse Stone
September 27th, 2010
8:17 pm
Listening to Tommy Hutton and Rich Waltz tonight. Horrible!
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
8:17 pm
Game time temp: 60.
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
8:18 pm
First Fish — Scott Cousins — grounds to Prado
Seth
September 27th, 2010
8:18 pm
B Team is shutting out the nats Mark.
bobbycoxcountdown: 6
September 27th, 2010
8:18 pm
If we are to wax poetically about Bobby Cox and his contributions to the city of Atlanta and the Braves, than i agree his longevity and accomplishments will be unparalleled in this city.
Bobby Cox’s accomplishments are a byproduct of his longevity and not his “coaching prowess” unfortunately. What i choose to judge any manager of a baseball team is the results from which his decisions are made. Can Bobby manage a clubhouse and gain the respect of his players? Without question.
Should the Braves have won more than 1 World Series during Bobby’s 2nd tenure as the manager with the Braves? Also, without question.
I also believe that Bobby Cox should be celebrated as the greatest manager the Braves have ever had… but
i am very excited for the future of this team without Bobby Cox managing this team. Bobby is from the old school when it comes to strategy. The same things that are Bobby’s strength’s are also his weaknesses. His loyalty to his players will never be questioned, but his excessive stubbornness of loyalty to his players always will be questioned when his players underperformed to long.
I don’t write this to rip Bobby Cox, but to offer different view of the man we are asked to celebrate. I wish the Braves will make it into the playoffs for Bobby to enjoy the post season one more time. AND because it has been 5 years since we have seen post season play here in Atlanta. No matter who manages this team, the goal should be winning a championship and not just winning the division or making it to the post season. I want my team’s manager to have a burning desire to win a championship that rubs off on the players that makes them perform better down the stretch of a season or in the post season.
So while I say thank you to Bobby Cox for everything he has done for this town and team, I am looking forward to the new manager and hopefully a few more championships. One thing i hope the Braves do is put Bobby Cox back in the GM role. He didn’t get the proper credit for his work in that role before John Scherholz arrived. Frank Wren is completely expendable and having Bobby in that position is an instant upgrade.
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
8:20 pm
Emilio Bonifacio singles up the middle. Actually to the right of the middle.
Bill
September 27th, 2010
8:20 pm
Thanks Mark, That should help Braves. Hanley hurt last few games.
Go Tommy – Go Braves.
Randy
September 27th, 2010
8:20 pm
Funny when the guy replacing Hanley gets a hit!
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
8:20 pm
I note that the A-team pitcher is working for Philly, Seth.
Bonifacio steals 2B without a throw.
Reginald Denny
September 27th, 2010
8:21 pm
Good Riddance.