The Atlanta Braves received some heartbreaking news on Saturday afternoon. Legendary manager Bobby Cox has passed away at the age of 84. Heavy Sports sends its deepest condolences to the Cox family and everyone who knew the legendary clubhouse leader within the Braves organization.
Bobby Cox is a Hall of Fame skipper who led the Atlanta Braves to a 1995 World Series victory. He won manager of the year four times and advanced to the Fall Classic five times in his 25-year managerial career with the Braves.
Atlanta Braves Issue Statement on Passing of Bobby Cox
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 01: Former manager of the Atlanta Braves, Bobby Cox, walks onto the field to give the command to “play ball” prior to the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs on April 01, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Here is the official statement that the Atlanta Braves released regarding Cox’s death:
âWe 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.
âBobby 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 sportâs ultimate prize in 2014 – enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
âAnd while Bobbyâs 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.â
Bobby Cox’s Impact as MLB Manager
GettyATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 08: Former manager of the Atlanta Braves, Bobby Cox, throws out the ceremonial first pitch to start Game Four of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Bobby Cox will be remembered as the best Atlanta Braves manager of all time.
He held a managerial record of 2504-2001. He led the Braves to 14 consecutive division titles spanning the 1990s to the early 2000s. Before the Braves, he was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays for four seasons.
Regarded as one of the best ‘player managers’ in MLB history, Bobby Cox holds the record for most managerial ejections (158), and that highlights his willingness to stick up for his players.
The ripple effect of this news will be felt far and wide.
He was hired by Ted Turner as the youngest manager in MLB (36) at the time in 1978. He then spent four seasons with the Blue Jays before joining the Atlanta Braves as their general manager in 1986. He traded/drafted several notable Hall of Famers in the Braves organization, like Chipper Jones and John Smoltz.
Following the “worst-to-first” 1991 season, he led the team to unheralded success. His teams often faced criticism for high postseason loss rates after 2000, but he secured a World Series in 1995, and continued to lead the Braves to the playoffs in several years after that.
Bobby Cox retired in 2010. He is 4th on the all-time win list and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
GettyATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 02: Former Atlanta Braves players Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Greg Maddux and manager Bobby Cox are introduced as members of the All Turner Field Team prior to the game at Turner Field on October 2, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
Again, Heavy Sports sends its deepest condolences to the Cox family and everyone in the Atlanta Braves organization.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Legendary Atlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox Dead at Age 84 appeared first on HEAVY.