A ‘great ride’ ends for Bobby and his Braves, and we applaud
We'll never see his likes again. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The great manager said it after Game 3: “We’re not the best team in baseball, OK?” But you know what these Braves were?
Pound for pound, they were the most entertaining aggregation we’ve seen around here. And you know what the great manager also called this band of Braves? “The hardest-working team I’ve ever had.”
It ended for both parties Monday, for Bobby Cox and his final ballclub. It ended because these diminished Braves weren’t good enough to deliver big hits or field their positions in the crucible of October. It ended not because they didn’t give it the ol’ professional try after the abject disappointment of Sunday’s Game 3. On the contrary, it ended because a true professional pitcher talked the departing manager into letting him go a batter too far.
Seventh inning, one out. Working with a one-run lead, Derek Lowe walked Aubrey Huff, then yielded a swinging-bunt single to Buster Posey. It was just the second hit the Giants had mustered, a point Lowe surely made to Cox when the manager paid a visit. Indeed, Lowe had begun lobbying when Cox was still on the infield grass. After a short dialogue, the manager patted his pitcher on the flank and let him stay.
And Lowe walked Pat Burrell on five pitches to load the bases.
That was it for Lowe, and that one final walk was enough to lose the game. Such was this team’s margin for error. Speaking of which …
Alex Gonzalez threw high to second on Juan Uribe’s RBI grounder, enabling the bases to stay loaded with the game tied. And then, after Jonny Venters struck out Aaron Rowand, the No. 8 hitter Cody Ross — considered a target of interest for the Braves back in July — drove the go-ahead single into left field.
Being the Braves, they tried to give us a finish, as Ernie Johnson Sr. would say. Rick Ankiel walked with one out in the ninth. Then Eric Hinske, who was very nearly the hero of Game 3, walked. The winning run was aboard. But Omar Infante struck out, and it was down to Melky Cabrera, which tells us something about this season and this roster. Cabrera grounded to Juan Uribe at third, and this fighting club was finally finished.
And then something wonderful happened. Even as the Giants were celebrating at the center of Turner Field, the crowd started chanting, “Bobby! Bobby!” And the great manager, his heart surely breaking, emerged from the dugout to tip his cap and acknowledge the cheers, and then you looked back at the happy Giants and you saw them …
Standing and applauding Bobby Cox.
Said Chipper Jones, who has seen many things: “That was classy.”
People on the outside don’t understand the reverence in which this manager was held in this game. His critics see him as the guy who only won one World Series, but there can be different levels of success — yes, even in professional sports. And Bobby Cox’s last act was his greatest.
He took a team that lost Chipper Jones, Martin Prado, Kris Medlen and Jair Jurrjens along the way and led the National League East for 99 improbable days. He squeezed 91 victories and a wild card out of one of the weakest rosters ever to grace a postseason diamond. And he made the Giants work like crazy to win three games by one skinny run apiece. If you don’t think that’s managing … well, I don’t know what to tell you.
But his team knew, and the winning team in this Division Series knew, too. These Braves weren’t the best team in baseball or even, in terms of aggregate talent, the 12th-best, but they got to October and they gave it a go, and they gave us 26 wins in the final at-bat along the way.
Afterward Cox addressed his final team, or he tried. Said Chipper: “There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. Out of all the teams he’s had, he’s got a soft spot for this club.”
And what did Cox actually say? “Maybe 10 words. He couldn’t get it out. He started to break down.”
Before the game, I was talking with Reid Johnson, a fan from Smyrna, and he called this whole season “a great ride.” And that’s what it was, from Jason Heyward’s Opening Day home run to the final out of Game 4. It was a great ride, a wild ride, a sentimental journey with the best manager we’ll ever see. That it ended Monday night changes nothing. It was, and will forever be, a season to remember and cherish.
Thanks, guys. Thanks, Bobby. Go in peace.
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785 comments Add your comment
Joel
October 11th, 2010
11:49 pm
Ginger, I remember biff pocoroba, he owns a sausage store inlawrenceville now!
A-Jax
October 11th, 2010
11:50 pm
as a fan I’ve taped a lot of Braves postseason games, just because you never know what you might get, and as a result I have games ranging from from 1991, when I was just a kid, up to tonight’s game. The one constant? Bobby Cox. It’s going to be great to look back at all those games with my kids and see all the changes, from cinderellas to a powerhouse, from the launching pad to the Ted, from Steve Avery to Bobby Kimbrel, but Bobby’s going to be in every one. Thanks for a great run, Bobby, it only went our way once, but before you got back here October baseball was something we could only watch other teams play on TV, something most people under the age of 25 can’t appreciate.
Pat's Rockett
October 11th, 2010
11:50 pm
Yes, Ginger, i remember those days well. His first go around, he had the Braves going in the right direction when he was fired. He was responsible for Dale Murphy going into the outfield But ,alas, the pitching was Ruthven and Niekro and hoping for a hero. I think if he was the manager in 82, the Braves make it to the series.
Mr Charlie
October 11th, 2010
11:50 pm
recking, Torre was good. But now that NY won the series without him, I think his recored is a little tainted. It was an organizational thing with a huge budget. Cox does have a better winning percentage overall.
I do give the not to Torre, he does have the rings. So Cox was the 2nd best in the past 35 years.
They're called haters for a reason....
October 11th, 2010
11:51 pm
When you point out a man’s flaws and failings at the end of his career, you show no class. Here’s a hint: If the professionals in any arena are nearly universal in their respect and admiration of someone, and you have nothing good to say about that person, than you are either a boob who doesn’t know anything or you are an illogical hater.
Either way, it reflects poorly on you. You’re not demonstrating your superior intellect to anyone, you’re just looking like a Dumb A#@!
Heath
October 11th, 2010
11:52 pm
You will be missed, Bobby, by people who are actually baseball fans.
RHR
October 11th, 2010
11:52 pm
Dammit Mark I’m crying all over again. Beautiful.
Cox For President
October 11th, 2010
11:52 pm
Thanks for all the great memories Bobby. You did so much with so little for so many years. You truly are one of the greatest of all times.
robin huud
October 11th, 2010
11:53 pm
So many times managers are considered great and successful by the number of games won and the number of division championships and world series won. Bobby has been there many times but that is not what makes him really great….it is the way he never, and I mean never, blamed his players, never criticized his players, always stood up for his players, fought dearly for them during a game. Now that is class and that is why ALL players in baseball, whether they played for him or not, love and respect Bobby Cox. The way he is loved was shown tonight when the SF Giants, stopped their celebrating, and stood as a group, and clapped for Bobby Cox. Now that shows you why he will always be a great manager. Can’t wait to see him go into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. God Bless Bobby; have a great life.
longtime braves fan
October 11th, 2010
11:54 pm
Bobby will be missed by true longtime fans of the Braves. For the rest of you who even on this night can’t say something good about the man: I’m afraid it will take going through the next several years of rebuilding to make you see what a great run he had. For those of us who were around to remember the days when Atlanta was only mentioned as the brunt of a joke, who still feel a touch of excitement everytime we see Nixon’s catch, Sid’s slide and Glavine’s game, we will always regard Bobby as Atlanta’s greatest manager.
Unfortunately, you often don’t know what you have until it is gone.
reckingball
October 11th, 2010
11:55 pm
I think that Cox was as good as Torre.
I have read that Torre burnt up a lot of pitchers arms, when he was a manager.
I think that Cox cared more about his players.
Jack
October 11th, 2010
11:55 pm
I will miss Bobby terribly. I actually cried at the end of the game as Bobby came out on the field and tipped his hat to us and the Giants. I haven’t even been alive during any other Braves manager. I don’t know what I will do with myself. We love you Bobby!
Largo
October 11th, 2010
11:55 pm
Damn, I knew the tear glands would kick in. Good Luck, Bobby!
DC Braves Fan
October 11th, 2010
11:55 pm
Terrific column.
1990-present
October 11th, 2010
11:56 pm
Bobby you’re the only manager of my Braves I’ve ever known. Already weird thinking that you won’t be there next year. I Chipper officially hangs it up I’m going crazy seeing as he’s the last of the Braves of me childhood.
Moving on…We need to hire Fredi…Fredi has fire- just ask Hanley Ramirez. Also, we desperately need at least one more legitimate outfielder. This team goes on to the next round of we have Cody Ross or Pat Burrell. I know Carl Crawford is gonna command big $$$’s, but God we would be so good with him and J-Hey holding it down in the outfield.
Ptiching should still be solid next year with Hanson, Hudson, Lowe, healthy JJ, and when we get Medlen back. Infield is solid if we stay healthy and if Freddy can make the leap to solid rookie contributor (.275 15-20 hr’s). Bullpen should be solid for a few years with Venters, Dunn, and Kimbrel. If we keep Hinske and Infante as key bench players we could be stout….just need one more legit outfielder. please make it happen Wren
HitaSingle
October 11th, 2010
11:56 pm
Thank you Bobby Cox! You have been in my living room for 25 years and we are going to miss you. Thanks for your honesty, loyalty, but mainly thank you for doing it your way which was the right way.
reckingball
October 11th, 2010
11:57 pm
I’m looking forward to a new era. I hope that the new manager can be as successful as Cox was.
Mr Charlie
October 11th, 2010
11:57 pm
I love the people who say “he sould have won more world titles”. All I have to ask is, how many world titles do you have? Are you the very best in the country at what you do? If not, shaddup.
ward
October 11th, 2010
11:58 pm
charlie, bobby is the the best atlanta braves manager ever.he should be in the hall of fame.I Watched the braves from 1983,and still with them now.I;ll miss bobby, and i wish him all the best.he deserves it.i;m also looking forward to next season, and a new era.Go!!! Braves!!!!
Mark Bradley
October 11th, 2010
11:58 pm
Thanks for the kind words, folks. And to answer a question someone asked on Facebook: I didn’t cry. But I gulped a few times.
rob
October 11th, 2010
11:58 pm
Jim had some very nice comments on the other blog earlier which inspires me to write this:
Back in 1991 I was a 16 year old High School football player. I lived and breathed football (still pretty much do). I didn’t really have any interest in other sports, including baseball. We lived out in the country in Alabama, about a 5 hour drive from Atlanta. Due to these circumstances, we didn’t have access to cable, therefore no TBS, and no Braves games. Being out of state and some distance from ATL, we didn’t hear too much about the Braves. Of course all this changed that year when a man named Bobby Cox managed his a$$ off. In his first full year back as the Braves manager, he lead his ragtag, still very young and developing bunch from worst to first. The Braves of course got their deserved attention, and the team captured the hearts and minds of new fans all over the country. Kids and adults alike were inspired. It’s a relationship that has lasted to this day. I will never forget that season. It was then that I was formally introduced to baseball, and I owe it all to Bobby Cox. As much as I love football, nothing will ever compare to the feeling I experienced when Sid slid that day in October. Thanks for everything you’ve done Bobby. Your influence has had far more greater effect than even you probably realize. Best of luck to you in the future.
walt kovacs
October 11th, 2010
11:58 pm
i am a giants fan…cox out managed bochy in almost every aspect of the game in this series
if he had a healthy team…i have no doubt that he would have led them to the ws, as he had the pitching
i was shocked when i read some negative comments about cox….i dont know what more he could do
and he has left your team in great shape…i expect to see them battling for the east again next season
Quicherbichin
October 11th, 2010
11:58 pm
Enter your comments here
Thanks, Braves for one great ride!! thanks Bobby, for a great career and making rooting for the Braves fun again!!! Thanks, Giants for being so classy tonight. All you Bobby bashers, well… I imagine you’re creaming your jeans because Bobby is gone.. What will you do with your hands now that you can’t bash Bobby on the blogs. I guess you’ll hand to find another thing to do with your hands. Thanks, Brooks Conrad.. You gave us some great moments this year.. I hope that you’re able to get past the experience.
Thanks
Mr Charlie
October 11th, 2010
11:58 pm
All that said, I am interested to see who the new coach is. My guess it TP.
Johnny3Steps
October 11th, 2010
11:59 pm
Class act all the way……………………Cox gave the state a great run.
SF_GiantsFan
October 12th, 2010
12:00 am
yes!!! Braves lineup was no match for our pitching!!!
Still doing that ridiculous, and not to mention ignorant and racist tomahawk chop after all these years?
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2010
12:00 am
Oh … and VERY belated kudos to zach for his “first.”
Ginger
October 12th, 2010
12:00 am
Nice to hear from some of the long time Braves fans…Pat Rockett (Shortstop right ?) you got a pretty good point—–82 Braves may have very well played in Series with Cox at helm. I hated that Turner fired him prematurely on the first go around as they were headed in the right direction…Murphy needed to be in the outfield instead of behind the plate….Cox did good with Toronto–thank goodness that Turner had the sense to bring him back to the Braves.
Mr Charlie
October 12th, 2010
12:00 am
Walt, we just have a few people here with mini Stienbrenner wannabe complexes.
JSS
October 12th, 2010
12:01 am
Happy you (Bobby Cox) got a 2nd chance, glad it went better than the 1st; but lets send you gently into the night…
Turn the page, lets move on…
SeasonTicketsSec403Row1
October 12th, 2010
12:01 am
Thanks, Mr. Cox. I’ve learned and become a committed fan of this fascinating and compelling game during your career. I’ve watched from the same spot for 18 years now and I appreciate the baseball that you have managed and that your players have delivered. I also had the opportunity to travel with and cover your teams as a journalist during the early to mid 90s. You are indeed, a class act. Thank you, sir. I wish you and your family the best.
reckingball
October 12th, 2010
12:02 am
I think that the Braves need two OFers, a new SS, maybe a new 3rd baseman, if Jones can’t comeback.
They need some power and speed, desparately.
HitaSingle
October 12th, 2010
12:03 am
Growing up I watched and admired Tom Landry and Earl Weaver, and now I can say I watched the career of Bobby Cox. All three did it their way which was they always showed respect for the game and the fans.
Mr Charlie
October 12th, 2010
12:03 am
I do hope Chipper packs it in. His body is done. We don’t need to tie up 15 mill on him.
Mr Charlie
October 12th, 2010
12:04 am
The good thing is we have pitching. We got a number of good arms on the farm too.
btw
October 12th, 2010
12:05 am
….there’s no crying in baseball.
birddawgbill
October 12th, 2010
12:06 am
Bobby Cox made some mistakes. But to say he always had the best talent and only won one world series is unfair. Id like to know how many times he was beaten by steroid users. He always had the best pitching, but look at the 91 and 92 teams not real strong hitting teams. The marlins put them out thanks to Eric Gregg, the Padres thanks to Camminitti(roids). And is it not possible Puckett was using I mean he did jump from a mid teens hr hitter with speed to a 30 hr hitter and got much bigger. I think we can be pretty sure the Yanks had some users. The Cards had Big Mac. Was Bobby the best ever ? no. But he was alot better than some want to give him credit for. And this year was one of the best managing jobs in Baseball history period.
HitaSingle
October 12th, 2010
12:06 am
Chipper deserves to go out the right way and that is playing. I really respect him for being in the dugout down the stretch. I would love to see him in a managerial or coaching role down the road.
Fdadawg
October 12th, 2010
12:07 am
Mark,
Well said. A column that would of made Furman Bisher proud.
Kevin in North Augusta
October 12th, 2010
12:07 am
Bobby Cox. Thank you for everything. It has been a great ride. Did we win as much as perhaps some had hoped? Maybe not. But it is the journey, the accomplishment of competing to the bitter end, like this year, and some times with much less talent. You are a class act who gets the most out of guys who sometimes don’t have that much to give.
Thank you for giving the city of Atlanta some much needed baseball tradition, and a World Championship. We’ve competed, won with class and taken defeat, consistently the same way.
While many may not agree with the brand of baseball or some of your decisions on the field, you have given Atlanta a Hall of Fame career. We wont know just how good your have been until you have to be replaced, and are forced to remember the good old days under Bobby.
Ginger
October 12th, 2010
12:07 am
So right—Braves need power and speed…..Cox did a darn good job considering the make up of this year’s team.
Dusty
October 12th, 2010
12:07 am
Thank you so much Bobby for all that you have done. You will be missed! I will miss your nicknames for the players and all of the audio that the mikes would pick up during the games. You could always hear you rooting for your players….truly the way a manager should be. God Bless you and enjoy your retirement….
Tweets that mention A 'great ride' ends for Bobby and his Braves, and we applaud | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
October 12th, 2010
12:07 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, CameronWatson, Tim Alborg, Iris, rebekah shennan and others. rebekah shennan said: A great ride ends for Bobby and his Braves, and we applaud http://t.co/OZCOKVC thanks bobby, and thanks giants for being classy about it. [...]
reckingball
October 12th, 2010
12:08 am
SF Giants FAN…12:00…….Would you perfer the Braves fans wave red hankies like a bunch of pansies.
nate clemens
October 12th, 2010
12:09 am
@SF_GiantsFan: “Still doing that ridiculous, and not to mention ignorant and racist tomahawk chop after all these years?”..ive always thought it was ridiculous and ignorant myself…but how is it racist?…lol
HitaSingle
October 12th, 2010
12:09 am
I watched the Rays win and immediately pull their shirts out and disgrace their uniforms. Bobby would have never allowed that. Just like not wearing sunglasses over the A on their caps. As a fan I really appreciate that.
reckingball
October 12th, 2010
12:09 am
Meant prefer
joe torre
October 12th, 2010
12:10 am
“If Bobby was not the best in his generation, who was?”
Joe Torre….easy answer. Most baseball people would also put Jim Leyland and Tony LaRussa above him but I’m not sure I agree. Right now, Madden and the Angels skipper are much better at their craft.
Sally
October 12th, 2010
12:10 am
A great season played by a great team led by a great manager. Not the ending that we all wanted, but what fun along the way. Best wishes to Bobby Cox in his retirement and to the Braves as they sift through what happened and get ready for next year. Thanks to the Giants for the respect shown to Bobby and the Braves, and especially the compassion they had for Brooks Conrad yesterday and today. Now, will someone just please beat the Yankees? I like that Taco Bell commercial, but I really want the NL to take the World Series after BMac secured the home field advantage!
braves42011
October 12th, 2010
12:11 am
It was only fitting that the Bobby Cox era began and ended on TBS, where I watched numerous Braves game after wrestling on Saturday nights. Sure, one World Series in 15 tries is what is often criticized, but the Yankees are the only other team to make the playoffs in that time span. Other than the Bronx Bombers, who else can make that claim? It was a great run, but every era comes to an end or have a new beginning. A healthy Braves squad will be a dangerous Braves squad in 2011.