Will Former Manager Bobby Cox Be Enshrined in Cooperstown?
Bobby Cox started managing the Atlanta Braves in 1978. That lasted through the 1981 season when he was fired by owner Ted Turner. After those first three years in Atlanta, Cox moved on to manage the Toronto Blue Jays where he was somewhat successful. Under Cox, the Blue Jays improved each year he was manager. In 1985 the Blue Jays finished first in the American League East losing to the Kansas City Royals in the League Championship.
After the 1985 season, Cox was brought back to the Braves as general manager and later named himself manager in the 1990 season after firing manager Russ Nixon. He holds the distinction of managing one of two teams to win their division after finishing last the season before. His success in 1991 was just the beginning. He went on to manage the braves for 20 additional years, retiring in 2010 with the most career wins for a manager in Braves history.
While managing the Braves, Cox led the team to division titles in every year from 1991-2001. He took the team to the World Series in 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 1999. Cox did not have as much success in the World Series as he did the regular season, only winning one World Series Championship. He holds the all-time record for ejections as a manager, has won 2,500 regular season games and managed 16 teams to the playoffs.
Bobby Cox’s career as manager can be compared to any great manager in baseball history. He had success for two different franchises, proving that he did not win just because he had the best players. He was a student of the game and has probably forgotten more baseball than you or I ever learned. He was able to win 20 straight division championships and has managed at least four Hall of Famers. Bobby Cox is a lock for enshrinement in Cooperstown.