Sports Columnists

By Ken in Cumming

September 28, 2005 04:02 PM | Link to this

Yep. Terence got this one right on the money. I have been in atlanta since 1989. For me, Bobby Cox has transcended his superstars to become the unequivical face of the Atlanta Braves. At this point, I can’t imaging this team without him.

We have survived the loss of Glavin, Maddox, McGriff, Sheffield, Justice, Lopez, Klesko. But we are not the same team with this genius of a baseball man. remember, he was also the architect of our farm system, thank God!

By Carl

September 28, 2005 04:22 PM | Link to this

Amen and Amen!!!

By Dave Brown

September 28, 2005 04:37 PM | Link to this

Anybody can push the buttons, and turn the nuts and bolts of baseball. Being a great manager is figuring which 25 guys to bring north from Spring Training and then keep them sober for six months. That and 14 straight division crowns.

By Steve in Suwanee

September 28, 2005 04:42 PM | Link to this

Braves are at it again and it makes me very happy. I look forward to seeing them in the post season. i would however really like to see Smoltz in the reliver status as i believe that the Braves would have over 100 wins now had he not left this important position. He was the “Terminator”. Hopefully next year he will return as the man!!! He might have to give up a few golf games but he has his whole life to play golf.

By Crystal

September 28, 2005 04:42 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, hands down, he’s the best there is!

By Heidi

September 28, 2005 04:43 PM | Link to this

LOVE YOU BOBBY!!! Congratulations guys on yet another unbelievable season! Let’s keep it going and bring home that WORLD SERIES !!! You have the best Manager in Baseball…ever…and you have the best group of rookies any team could want (hey jeff, will you marry me???). Oh…and the veterans…that goes without saying! YOU CAN DO IT!!! I BELIEVE!!! GO BRAVES

By Dave

September 28, 2005 04:44 PM | Link to this

Cox is absolutely one of the best regular season managers but seems to go blank in the playoffs. maybe he tries too hard. But then look at LaRussa! A great manager but brought ‘home’ very few world series rings. To me, Bobby loses it in post season when he tries to manipulate the pitching. Reardon anybody!?
But all in all it has been a great 14 years! But nobody did it better than 1991. To me, THAT was the stellar year From last to first and should have won the World Series. Don’t know that I have ever recovered from the pain of that loss, but oh! what a great 1991 year!

By Calvin Grier

September 28, 2005 04:45 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox as the greatest manager of all times-you got to be kidding me-the last time I check he only has (1) one world series ring-getting to the dance do not count. Its what have you done for me now-thats my input

By SandyK

September 28, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is deserving of far more than 1 World Series Championship. Hopefully he will get that second one in a few weeks!

By Lauren

September 28, 2005 04:49 PM | Link to this

Amen… AMEN…. Bobby Cox is the ONLY baseball coach in major leagues to win 14 straight divison titles. I’m 23 and that’s 14 years of my life that he has led Atlanta Braves to 14 divison in a row! I have known Bobby Cox is one of the truly best coach EVER in baseball. He deserves to be in Hall of Fame for #1 coach of ALL THE TIME. You rock, Bobby COX!

By Jeanetta

September 28, 2005 05:03 PM | Link to this

He is one of the best! Way to go Bobby Cox!!!!

By Tim

September 28, 2005 05:04 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox has done as incredible thing. Winning with free agents and home grown talent. As Calvin mentioned about the one ring. Just remember he has been to 5 World Series. There are plenty of current and out of work managers that would love to be able to say that. 1991 was awesome but this year with the injuries to the starters has been one of his best jobs. The way he handled the rookies and got them to perform was awesome. Lets not forget his supporting staff with Leo and the his work with filling in pitchers.

By Reyno

September 28, 2005 05:05 PM | Link to this

Bravo! Through all the years and all the wins there have been three constants:{1} John Schuerholz; (2) John Smoltz and{3} Bobby Cox. Schuerholtz has brought the players here. But, it has been Cox who has, year after year, melded them into the perennial winners that they are. Smoltz, with his uncanny ability to excel at starting, then relieving, then starting again, has been one of the most amazing pictures in the last 20 years. But Cox, as general manager, brought Smoltz to the Braves. There are those who sniff and that he has won only one world championship. But the simple fact is that were it not for Bobby Cox the Braves would have never been able to give us so many years of consistent excellence. The Braves run of greatness more than spans the lifetime of many of their younger fans. What team in any sport can boast of that? Of all the great Braves over all these many years the greatest of them is Cox.

By R.C. JETT

September 28, 2005 05:06 PM | Link to this

Bobby is the all time greatest manager not only because of his 14 straight pennants, but also the character of the players he has had on all of his teams.

By Cari

September 28, 2005 05:16 PM | Link to this

No way. Great manager but no way is he the all time best. Only one World Series…just doesn’t cut it.

By Jeffrey

September 28, 2005 05:18 PM | Link to this

Comparing Tony LaRussa to Bobby Cox. That’s like comparing Coca Cola to Publix Brand Cola. Almost as good but not quite. Bobby Cox being the Publix Cola. Tony has more world series rings than Bobby. What about Joe Torre. That’s a coach that has a great team and can win World Series Ring. Heck even Terry Francona of the Boston Red Sox has as many rings as Bobby & they haven’t won near the division titles. Sure 14 straight division titles. That’s great & all. Leo Mazzone is the reason that the Braves have been so good. When he leaves the Braves are going to go down hill. I’m sure all of baseball wants the Braves to win their division because they are then almost guaranteed a win over them in the first round or if the Braves actually get to the NLCS then their opponent is almost guaranteed a trip to the World Series. So let’s watch as the Braves go into the playoffs again and choke on the hatchet yet again. One for 14. I’d rather make the playoffs 5 times in 10 years and win 3 world series rings then win 14 years straight and only win one world series ring. But hey that’s just me. Let me leave and go get the crying towel for all the Braves “fans”

By Glenn Hitchcock

September 28, 2005 05:19 PM | Link to this

Bobby is the best I`ve seen in my 70 years.

By Bob Hicks

September 28, 2005 05:20 PM | Link to this

Until Bobby can take the Braves all the way a few more times I would not say he is the best manager of all time. He has yet to prove to me he can win low scoring games where you have to manufacture runs, like bunting runners to second or third and bringing them home without a two or three run homerun.Many times you have to do that in playoffs and world series where pitching dominates.

By Danny

September 28, 2005 05:31 PM | Link to this

14 straight division championships. 15 for Bobby. He is, by far the best Manager that baseball has ever had. My children do not even know what it is like to NOT win the division championship. They think it is the normal part of the baseball year. I have been in Atlanta all of my life and remember the “Losersville” label we had for decades. No one can call Atlanta Losersville ever again, thanks to Bobby Cox.

By Ricky

September 28, 2005 05:33 PM | Link to this

i’ve followed the braves for all my 51 years (all in atlanta), from bobby bragan until now, and no one has had the whole managerial package down to a science like bobby does. great job, bobby!!

By T Robb

September 28, 2005 05:37 PM | Link to this

Good question. The October failures are disappointing and have to factor in, for sure, but baseball is the only sport where the best team loses 40% of the time.

Given that you have 162 games to sort all that out, the short series at the end are a bit of a crapshoot. Anybody care to venture how the great Yankees teams of the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s would have fared if they had to win three series at the end of the year instead of one?

If Bobby’s not the best, he’s at least in the photo. Add to that that he was really the one who planted the seeds with the farm system as GM in the late 80s, the different style teams he’s won with, and this year’s absolutely amazing team (17 rookies? 17??), and I think maybe Terence got this one right.

By TB

September 28, 2005 05:39 PM | Link to this

Look guys…..while I agree that he is a good manager, he’s certainly not the best of all time. Yes, he’s won 14 straight division titles, but how many times have we gone out in the division series? In fact, when we had deeper pockets while under the ownership of Ted Turner, we didn’t fare any better than we have since ownership changed hands. If you closely review the Braves post season games, you will find that we have lost many of the close games because Bobby Cox managed too much with his heart and not his head. He has left too many decisions up to starting or relief pictures as to whether they need to come out of the game, and then within a few more pitches, our pitcher is rocked for runs that put the game out of reach. The bottom line is that most of you are willing to settle for an invitation to the playoffs, which we seem to receive each year. However, I want to win the Divison, NL Championship, and World Series, and that’s what a GREAT manager and a GREAT team would accomplish! We’re good, but not great. The only reason that we beat Cleveland in 1995 for the World Series Championship is that their Manager had less post season experience. Come on guys. I can understand being a fan and pulling for your team, but some of you aren’t very realistic. Personally, I think Joe Torre is a better manager and I hate the Yankees, but you have to give it to a guy who can manage his team of highly paid spoiled players and an owner with the highest expectations, and oh, by the way, consistently win World Series titles.

By josh

September 28, 2005 05:42 PM | Link to this

Mt God, Terrence Moore got something right!! No doubt Bobby Cox has been nothing short of amazing the past 14 years. Let’s hope the Braves go all the way this year so Bobby can quit hearing about the solo WS ring.

By Chip

September 28, 2005 05:44 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox….Great Guy, Great Record, Class Act….Very Good Manager. He will be a Great manager when he learns to take a pitcher out before it’s too late! All in all, I wouldn’t trade him for anyone. Congratulations Bobby…we love ya!

By David

September 28, 2005 05:46 PM | Link to this

NOT EVEN CLOSE! He and Vince Dooley are cut from the same mold, too scared to take risks to achieve greatness. They are the quintessential “never got fired for going with IBM or ATT guy”. I guess everyone has forgot about how ole Bobby went with the resume of over-the-hill veteran Jeff Reardon instead of the 92 mph throwing young Mike Stanton. Bobby’s poor decisions in 91 cost Atlanta the World Series. YOU HAVE TO TAKE RISKS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS, BOBBY NEVER DOES.

By tim

September 28, 2005 05:52 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is without question, the greatest manager of all time, not just for his work as Braves Manager, but for his entire contribution to the Braves Organization, including rebuilding the farm system and establishing the Atlanta Braves as perennial Divisional Champions for 14 straight years. To anyone reading this, try to think where you were 14 years ago and the thought is just astounding of what this organization has accomplished. Remember it takes usually a minimum of 90 wins to win the division, and it only takes 11 to win the world series. Do not measure the greatness of a man by his heroics in 11 days, but by his consistency every day. All I have to say is thanks Bobby, you’re the greatest.

By Dave From Woodstock

September 28, 2005 05:54 PM | Link to this

That’s a tough question. He’s only got the one World Series ring after the 14 division crowns. So based on that amount of chances to get to the series and the number of WS wins, I’d have to say no.

Sparky Anderson won three World Series with two different teams in two different leagues in an era where free agency was not as prevalent.

In my mind Sparky was more successful.

By Dennis

September 28, 2005 06:02 PM | Link to this

The miracle to me was that we blew it in 1981 when we fired Cox to hire Torre and were given a second chance when he agreed to come back here in 1991.

To me it speaks even more about his greatness that he was willing to overlook us firing him “because we didn’t think he could take us to the next level” and was willing to come back to a consistently bad team (last or 5th place most of the 80s).

Bobby is the greatest!

By Rick

September 28, 2005 06:10 PM | Link to this

I have been following the Braves since they came to Atlanta and there were times when I thought the Braves would not get to the World Series in my lifetime. What Bobby has done for the Braves organization is nothing short of miraculous. Understanding the constraints that have been placed on Bobby by the “owners” then you can understand why Bobby is truly the Manager for the ages.

GO BRAVES!

By John

September 28, 2005 06:16 PM | Link to this

No way. Bobby is too chummy with his players. He loses in post season because he leaves his pitchers in TOO LONG. He leaves them in to pitch out of bad situations because he doesn’t want to hurt their feelings by pulling them out.

By HAROLD LEE SCOTT

September 28, 2005 06:31 PM | Link to this

I DON’T REALLY KNOW THE INSIDE ABOUT ALL THE PAST MANAGERS? AND THEIR HAVE BEEN SOME VERY OUTSTANDING MANAGERS. BUT BOBBY COX HAS SOMETHING THAT STANDS OUT IN DEALING WITH PEOPLE. HE CARES. HE TREATS EVERYONE FAIRLY. HE SURROUNDS HIMSELF WITH PEOPLE THAT CARE AND TREATS EVERYONE FAIRLY ALSO. WHEN COACHES,ETC. AND PLAYERS KNOW THAT THEIR LEADER CARES ABOUT THEM AND IS GONNA GIVE THEM EVERY CHANCE TO SUCEED THEN THEY ARE GONNA HIM THEIR LOYALTY AND VERY BEST THAT THEY CAN. THAT DEVELOPS TEAMWORK,EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER, PULLING TOGETHER. THAT IS WHEN TEAMS DEVELOP FIGHT, DETERMINATION, DESIRE, AND WANT TO ATTIDUDE. FOR EXAMPLE, THIS TEAM THIS YEAR DOES NOT HAVE BETTER PLAYERS THAN THE OTHER TEAMS. THEY BELIEVE AND HAVE A WANT TO ATTITUDE THAT MIGHT JUST GET THEM TO THE PROMISE LAND, IF THE CAN GET MORE CONSISTENT PITCHING AND HITTING IN THE CLUTCHES. THIS IS WHAT I THINK MAKES BOBBY COX SUCH A GREAT MANAGER, WHO KNOWS MAYBEE THE BEST MANAGER OF ALL TIMES. HE’S GOT MY VOTE! GO BRAVES!!!! WE WANT IT ALL! THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!

By Mark D. Spivey

September 28, 2005 06:31 PM | Link to this

While he’s certainly a Top 10 manager, he’s not Best of All Time. He had argueably the best pitching rotation in baseball with Maddux, Smoltz and Glavine and some amazing fielders and hitters with Jones’ boys, but couldn’t produce more than one championship.

By Nicholas Irwin

September 28, 2005 06:34 PM | Link to this

Um…might wanna check your research there Jeffrey. LaRussa and Cox have won the same number of World Series, LaRussa has not won more. And given the fact that Cox has far more division titles, I think you’d have to say that Cox is better.

By p. weiss

September 28, 2005 06:37 PM | Link to this

Cox has proven himself to be an amazing manager. In spite of the Braves’ inability to win the “big one” in October, I still think he is the tops. No one else, in any sport, has ever put together the kinds of seasons this man has.

By Mike Forte

September 28, 2005 06:40 PM | Link to this

I grew up loving the Braves. I agee Bobby Cox is truly the best manager. He could take a bunch of 8th graders and win. Bobby is loved by all how have come in contact with him. He’s a wonderful man, a players manager and a credit to the game……we need more like him……..Rooting for the Braves and listening to Skip and Pete, for me are beyond priceless

By Alex

September 28, 2005 06:41 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is no doubt the best manager of all time. All of his detractors in this discussion thus far have lost sight of the big picture. As the manager of the ballclub, Bobby makes many more decisions than simply when to pull a pitcher out. Bobby’s most important accomplishment has been the environment he has created in his clubhouse, and the overwhelming pride and positive attitude that he instills in his players. People want to play for Bobby Cox. He will win with whatever personnel you give him. The fact that he has won just as many games this year with Brian Langerhans, Jeff Francouer, Brian McCann, and Kelly Johnson as Joe Torre has with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi, and Bernie Williams is enough proof in itself to establish Cox as the Greatest. Sure, fans can complain about the lack of WS rings, but Cox’s incredible achievements during the past 14 or 15 years - assimilating rookies into the team, working with whatever talent is available, and creating a winning atmostphere inside and outside of the clubhouse - are so phenomenal that managers with more World Series titles still can’t compare.

By I'm who is not clueless like Terrance

September 28, 2005 06:55 PM | Link to this

Terrance, dude, I really hope you were writing that to get a rise out of people. If so, nice job.

There is no way you could be serious about that, unless you mean Bobby is the best when it comes to choking in a big spot.

Can you tell me how many years the NL was just flat out horrible? How many legit contenders aside from the Braves have their been since they started this run? Phils in 93, Mets in 99, Marlins two years ago….that’s it. Don’t give me the Pirates either….

I don’t even think Cox is the best at screwing up a big game, that distinction belongs to Tony LaRussa. Cox is maybe 1-A. Best manager of all time, no way.

Even the fans know it since only 20,000 people will show up for their first playoff series. All of a sudden when the World Series or NLCS shows up, then there are two times as many Braves fans? Give me a break.

Cox is good, no doubt, and yeah it takes a good general to guide a team and manage egos, etc, but don’t dare call Cox the best manager of all time.

By Chop Chop

September 28, 2005 07:00 PM | Link to this

If I see one more person spell it “Francouer”, I’ll go crazy. Come on, guys. It’s FRANCOEUR. In French, the word “coeur” means “heart”. That aptly describes what Francoeur has.

By Brian

September 28, 2005 07:02 PM | Link to this

We are a good team in a below average division. We should win every year! Big deal about the division wins, A high school team could win this division. The Braves always come up short in post season because they actually have to play teams that are GOOD!. The only thing that gives us a shot is not going cold this year. I will be hoping..but doubt the Braves will be in the world series. Start getting your tee times ready the links are waiting.

By Matthew

September 28, 2005 07:06 PM | Link to this

Umm…

I guess all of y’all were raised in the present, with all of this hippy-commie crap about playing soccer games without keeping score because it’s more fun.

Well, guess what?

I wasn’t.

I love competition. I love it when my team wins, and hate it when they lose.

I could care less about the Braves right now, and the only reason I’m here is to discount this growing urge to say that this guy, Bobby Cox, is the greatest of all time, when he doesn’t have the freaking rings to prove it.

Is he a great manager… yes.

Is he the greatest manager over 162 games… yes!

Is he the worst postseason manager of all time… YES!

You cannot be the “best” at anything if you are not complete at what you do.

Bobby Cox is not a complete manager. He is Andy Taylor during the regular season, and he’s Barney Fife come October.

It never fails, and it never will.

The Braves won in 1995 despite Bobby Cox.

They won because of David Justice and Benedict Arnold.

The best managers in the history of baseball are Connie Mack, Miller Huggins, Casey Stengal, Sparky Anderson, and it pains me to say this… Joe Torre.

You all can have sour grapes and claim the Boss bought titles for Torre.

Turner tried to do the same with Bobby.

It didn’t work.

We should have won in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 2002.

The Braves should have 7 World Series in the last 14 years.

They have one man to blame for not having them.

Bobby Cox

Once again, Terence Moore, Super-Hypocrite, is oh so wrong.

By jere

September 28, 2005 07:09 PM | Link to this

definitely best REGULAR SEASON manager of all time and braves are best REGULAR SEASON team for extended period of time…postseason another story…seem jinxed to me ever since dude stopped at 2nd base on con job by minnesota causing loss in first world series

By Rob in Stn. Mtn.

September 28, 2005 07:20 PM | Link to this

Heck no he’s not the greatest mgr. of all time. Joe Torre has 4 world titles, and Bobby has only one. Let’s be honest, a lot of those World Series losses in the nineties are due to his mismanagement of critical games, like putting Charlie Liebrandt in to pitch to Kirby Puckett in Game 6 from the series in ‘91, to putting in Mark Wohlers too early in Game Five during the ‘96 series and so on. It’s pretty clear from these blunders that Cox tends to show poor judgment when the post-season heat is on. I def vote no.

By Kari

September 28, 2005 07:25 PM | Link to this

I agree…Hands down, Joe Torre.

By Kari

September 28, 2005 07:25 PM | Link to this

No, Bobby Cox is NOT the best manager of all time. Hands down, it’s JOE TORRE.

By Dan Greenfield

September 28, 2005 07:28 PM | Link to this

Nope. John Sheurholtz may, however, be the best GM of all time. Bobby is good, but not great. He makes strategic decisions during games that make me cringe, and the team just seems to lose its heart in the playoffs. If he gets credit for the intangibles during the regular season, then he deserves the blame for early exits in the playoffs.

By Matthew

September 28, 2005 07:45 PM | Link to this

Thank you, Dan, for hitting the nail on the head.

These Cox Apologists always want to credit him for every little thing that goes right, but always have an excuse for his horrible October performances.

Oh, it’s a crapshoot, now.

Oh, it’s the players, not him.

If you want to praise him for his wonderful record in the regular season, and it is wonderful… then he should get the equal share of blame for his abysmal October record.

By Joe Roman

September 28, 2005 07:46 PM | Link to this

Moore’s point about changing rosters in this era of free agency is what turns the tide. The old pros like McGraw, Huggins and even ol’ Case could have put their line-up cards on stone tablets. Bobby has won with every permutation imaginable. All that’s left is an all-female team. Personally, what I’ve learned about the uniqueness of the game from watching Cox is right up there with watching Adolph Rupp coach basketball or Muhammad Ali box. I’m a Kentucky alum, and I grew up in Louisville. Being around for three of the best of all time makes me feel like “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

By James

September 28, 2005 07:56 PM | Link to this

Good comments from the others! 14 Divisional Titles and only one World Series win over how many years?? What gives! I think Bobby Cox is changing his managing cap after regular season and it’s simply not working. The Braves are a darn good team, much better than the record shows. If Bobby Cox doesn’t know how to play World Series games, then he should let someone on his staff step up, let the Braves play, and win it.

By steve

September 28, 2005 08:33 PM | Link to this

WAsn’t he arrested for spousal abuse about 7 yrs ago? As I recall he was drunk, smacked his lovely wife around and then taken for booking downtown. As is common with celebs, it was swept away and forgotten. Great mgr, nonetheless.

By T Robb

September 28, 2005 10:02 PM | Link to this

Matthew, you’re a small man. In every way. Go back in your mother’s basement.

By Rubie

September 28, 2005 10:04 PM | Link to this

The manager of the year award should be renamed the “Bobby Cox.” 14 years in a row of dealing with egos, players with problems both on and off the field, MLB players salaries sky rocketing, and the team owner’s budget cuts should count for something. I thought last year was enough proof for the naysayers, but this year trumps last year’s proof. How may rookies did the Braves have on their team, 17, how many rookies have started in one game 7, how many rookies actually appeared in a game for the first time ever this year 13, how many pitchers were on the disabled list, 3 out of 5. How many times has a team reached the post season with 5 or more rookies having a 100+ at bats in a season 0, until this season. One last thing how many times have you heard a player complain about him 0. Baseball is a game of numbers, and the numbers here don’t lie folks.

By raceman94

September 28, 2005 10:10 PM | Link to this

Rock On Bobby!

By Jeff

September 28, 2005 10:23 PM | Link to this

Agree 100% with you Terrance! Also, Leo Mazzone should be the first assistant coach in the Hall of Fame! How many rookies has he turned into GREAT pitchers? How many “has beens” has he rebuilt into GREAT pitchers? How many veterans has he help make even better? I’d say Bobby and Leo are the 2 BEST EVER!

By Matthew

September 28, 2005 10:45 PM | Link to this

I’m a small man, Tommy?

How’s this for small?

You attack me directly instead of trying to argue with what I said, which you know to be true.

So you know that it would be illogical to argue with my point, so you attack me personally.

How small does that make you?

About quark-size is what I’m thinking.

My mama doesn’t have a basement, I happily rent my own apartment, and I’m right.

You know this… otherwise, you’d argue facts, not attack me.

Unlike you, Tommy, I give Bobby Cox his due… his just due… for his accomplishments and his failings.

And I didn’t bring up his personal life, which was a low blow Steve, and had no place here.

Tommy, how about you wake up to reality and take an objective stance on Cox?

I think, Tommy, that you have proven time and time again just how small a man you are, especially how you like to attribute every person who disagrees with your narrow point of view blog’s to me.

But I don’t expect anything less from you, Tommy.

By Mark

September 28, 2005 11:07 PM | Link to this

Over the past 15 years there have been many, many managers to come thru the Major Leagues. Some stayed a little while, some stayed a long while. But if you could poll all of those managers right now, including LaRussa, Torre and anybody else, there’s not one of them that wouldn’t trade places with Bobby Cox over that same period of time. During part of that 15 years, Joe Torre was behind a radio announcer’s microphone… part-time! Yeah I know he’s only got one World Series Championship, but for the past 14 seasons he is the main reason that we long-time Braves fans (some of you may not know that Atlanta had a team before 1991!) have gotten used to baseball in October in Atlanta! And there is no other team, manager or coach in any other sport who can put that on a resume’.

By Randy

September 29, 2005 12:27 AM | Link to this

Bobby is the best! So he hasn’t but 1 world Series win…That’s just 7 games.
There are so many factors that come in to play in a Series and luck is one of them. But when you play what…162 games in a regular season and win 15 divisions (14 in Atlanta)… ?? Trade off some of those Millionaires in New York and see if Torre can still do it. Go BRAVES…

By ernie logman

September 29, 2005 01:28 AM | Link to this

Both these statements are true:

Bobby Cox is a great regular season manager Bobby Cox is a horrible post season manager

3 Western division titles 91-93 and 11 Eastern Division titles 95-05 and only 1 world series championship to show for it. That is underachievement bart simpson would be proud of

In half the same time frame that the braves were winning all of those 14 division championships the Florida marlins have had zero division championships and TWO World Series Championships.

Division Championships dont count much anymore in the NBA or MLB

By Colin

September 29, 2005 01:50 AM | Link to this

All you people criticizing Bobby because he has won only one World Series, I bet ya’ll never lived through the woeful years of 70s and 80s Braves baseball. Ever heard of Jerry Royster and Rick Camp? My God, you have the right to cricize anyone, but how the heck can you do that of a guy who has managed one of the worst franchises in the history of professional sports(it used to be anyway) to 14 straight division titles? Wow, wow, wow…

By Dan

September 29, 2005 02:04 AM | Link to this

I have admired Bobby Cox for many years. This year proves, once again that he is the best. La Russa “only” has one ring as well. He went to 3 straight World Series with Oakland and won once against the Giants in 1989. La Russa also shames his players in the press. Bobby Cox WOULD NEVER do that.Joe Torre is good, but he has a payroll in excess of $200 Million The Yankees generate over $350 Million from their cable contract alone. The Braves cap is $80M. Bobby can’t hit,field, or pitch. One can easily use him as a scapegoat for the postseason record, but a real fan knows the real facts such as Gary Sheffield ONLY had 2 hits in the post season for the Braves and Lonnie Smith should have looked at his 3d base coach in 1991 ( no one was out when he stopped.) I’m glad Bobby Cox is on our side. I went to games in the 70’s when the Braves never had a shot. THE BRAVES ARE MY TEAM AND ALWAYS WILL BE. Thank you Bobby and Leo.

By Mark

September 29, 2005 09:15 AM | Link to this

Like Terrence, I have felt for several years that Bobby is the greatest. He must be too, because I even heard the legend in his own mind Jeff Brantley speak highly of Bobby just the other night and I nearly fell over. Once Joe ” I know everything there is to know about baseball and don’t you forget it” Morgan gives his blessing, it’ll be set in stone.

By Andy

September 29, 2005 09:16 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox surely is one of the greatest manager in any sport as 14 straight division title is NO JOKE!! Cox surely deserved to be in the Hall.

By Barry

September 29, 2005 09:47 AM | Link to this

As a coach myself, I realize the value of Bobby Cox. It is not just knowing the game, but knowing your players as well. Mr. Cox is a master of motivation as well as a great teacher. I have always been impressed with the way he handles his players. This is a great part of the winning attitude in Atlanta.

By Art

September 29, 2005 09:51 AM | Link to this

Terrence, I’m surprised. I thought you were one of those “winning it all” is the only thing that counts guys. You got it right. What Bobby has accomplished is astounding. No leader in any Professional Sport has come close.

By Ben

September 29, 2005 10:04 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is and has been one of the best REGULAR SEASON managers of all time, but come playoff time he is regularly outmanaged, sometimes by lesser managers with less talented teams. The playoffs are supposed to separate the pretenders from the contenders. A truly great team should be able to overcome a lesser team and a truly great manager should be able to adjust his strategy and tactics to give his team the best chance to win. The ability to do this against the best teams during the pressure of playoff baseball is a truer measure of greatness of a manager than the ability to beat up on lesser teams during the regular season. When you consider that the last 3 World Champions have not won a division, and that the Padres may win a division with a losing record, that accomplishment doesnt mean as much a it used to. What Bobby Cox has done is good, nearly great. But he definitely should not be grouped with the greatest managers of all time. He’s a level below that. At least until he can guide his team to what is the true measure of greatness and immortality - another World Series Championship.

By Reid Davis

September 29, 2005 10:20 AM | Link to this

Not only is Bobby among the best, but ESPN’s Jayson Stark makes an even better (and longer) case here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2173271&num=0

One of Stark’s astute comments is that those who say “hey, only one World Series ring” really don’t understand baseball. I agree.

By Braves fan

September 29, 2005 10:29 AM | Link to this

To be honest, without seeing the old time managers at work, I don’t know if we can really say. Sure we can compare stats, and I think Cox stacks up very well here. He’s in the top 10 in all time wins for a manager (two of the top ten guys managed for 50 and 30 years, so their numbers are skewed). He also is third all time in number of games over .500. Plus he’s won 14 straight division titles. Something never achieved by any manager or coach in baseball or any sport. Can we at least say he’s the best current manager? I think so. Who is the competition? Well since most of Cox’s detractors are so World Series fixated, it should be limited to only current managers who have won a WS. Joe Torre, Tony Larussa, Terry Francona, Mike Scoscia, Jack McKeon. Career wise, Larussa is the closest comparison to Cox. Alas, for all Tony’s accolades he’s only won 1 WS. And he’s not had the same success in getting to the post season regularly as Cox. He’s got more career wins, but he’s also managed in more games total, and also lost more games than Cox. So advantage Cox. Torre has won more WS. But lets tell it like it is. The bank has been open for business and the Yankees have spared no expense in putting all stars on the field at every position. Not every guy could’ve won as much as Torre, but don’t you think Cox would have just as many WS wins if he’d been the Yankee skipper? Torre didn’t do anything special to win those WS. It was the players he put out there. Cox has done more with less. The other guys have only won 1 WS a piece and none of them has neither the career wins or division titles to even carry Cox’s jock strap. So all you detractors, its up to you to name which old time managers are better than Cox, since the active ones are dismissed. And just a note: until free agency surfaced in the 70’s, managers could field a team of the same good players for 10 years. So winning so much in the free agency era has more value.

By chrismc

September 29, 2005 10:40 AM | Link to this

Gotta love these fans in Atlanta. The best manager in the universe takes a team forecast to be in the second division in the NL East to a unprecedented 14th straight and some are still not willing to give him his due just because he has won one World Series. Well, this sports fan IS willing to give Bobby his due and more. Terrance, you hit a grand slam with your comments. I’d rather have had 14 years of great baseball and some disappointments in the post season than a flash in the pan a year here or a year there (ALA FLA MARLINS, ARIZONA, ANAHEIM, ETC) then suck the years in between. We’ve been in the playoffs every single year since 1991 and that goes back to the job the MANAGER does in handling the players he has been dealt each year. Had some of those stars who left not been as greedy and stayed for a few less trips to Blockbuster each week who knows where we’d be and how many World Series may have come to Atlanta. Bobby, you’re the best period. Baseball, football, basketball and whatever sport there is. You’re No. 1 and congratulations for another great year with these great kids who energized us old fans again into believing we can go all the way in 2005!

By Marty

September 29, 2005 10:52 AM | Link to this

To follow up with chrismc said, people will only realize what a good thing we have here in Atlanta — both in terms of the players and their outstanding manager — when it’s gone. When the Braves have that first losing season, and it will happen eventually, people will wonder where Bobby Cox is and wish for the good old days when we used to win the division every year. I guarantee you that at that point, no one will be saying, “but they only won one World Series!”

Bobby Cox is an outstanding manager who, along with John Schuerholz, has done more for baseball in this city than anyone else. Sure, I don’t always agree with the decisions he makes, but how can you argue with 14 division titles? The real fan would rather see his team win year in and year out than suck 3 of 4 years but win the World Series the fourth year. Only a bandwagon-hopper would prefer the latter.

Thanks, Bobby, and LET’S GO BRAVES!!! BRING ON THE ASTROS!

By Frank

September 29, 2005 11:21 AM | Link to this

Mostof these people who are critical of Bobby Cox would find something negative to say even if the Braves won 162 games and the world series. In business or sports the hardest thing to do is to be consistently good and beat the averages. Many teams, businesses,mutual funds, etc. can have that one good year and beat everybody. No other professional sports team is even close to winning their divisions this many times in a row and probably never will be. Players change but the common denominator has been the manager and general manager. As a former coach I realize that the job Bobby has done in being able to meld 25+ highly paid egos into a functioning cohesive unit is outstanding.

By jay

September 29, 2005 11:23 AM | Link to this

Bobby is the greatest. Not his fault that his hitters forget how to hit pretty much every post season. Not his fault Wohlers melts down against the yanks. He makes the little decisions that get to the playoffs every year. At that point, the players need to make the plays and get the job done.

Joe Torre isn’t half the manager Bobby is. Having a dh means there’s no strategy involved. No dh in the NL.

By Everett Veach

September 29, 2005 11:26 AM | Link to this

I’ve been fortunate enough to know Bobby Cox personally. He is not only a great manager but a great person as well. Talk with him 5 minutes and you’ll feel like you’ve known him for years !

By Emilio

September 29, 2005 11:26 AM | Link to this

We are blessed to have a team that has a chance to PLAY the second part of the season so consistently! What the Braves as an organization have done is incredible! I enjoy scaning across the flags in left center! It makes me proud! Folks, like it or not Cox (and let’s not leave Leo out) is the one constant! The record is awesome!

One ring? There is no doubt should BC bring in another, some will say, “Only two?” In today’s environment, I have no problem understanding how 13 trips to the Post result in one ring. Players, injuries, who’s hot going in, and luck play big roles. Yes, a manager is part of the package. I don’t agree with everything BC does (then again I havn’t won 14 Division titles), but on balance, no one does it better.

Congraturlations to the Braves! My thankd to BC for so many years of quality baseball and for the OPPORTUNITY to cheer and HOPE in the POST! The best ever? I agree with the comment, “At least in the photo.”

By John

September 29, 2005 11:31 AM | Link to this

I doubt that the Braves will win in post season due to NO BULLPEN! When you consider the fact that Bobby wins with whoever he has, wherever he is, yep, He’s the best! No big money to get free agents, but, with the talent in the farm system! If the Braves had a ‘hold em’ bullpen I would put my money on WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!

By Braves Fan

September 29, 2005 11:33 AM | Link to this

I think Matthew and Dan Greenfield have it right. Bobby Cox is outmanaged come the postseason. Personally, I think Bobby gets a little sleepy in the 6th inning. But he’s a great regular season skipper!

By Lee

September 29, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this

Baseball is about consistency. Winning 14 consecutive division titles is epitome of consistency. Whether or not a team wins the 11-19 games required to be the world champion after winning their division is not relevant. Bobby Cox has brough Atlanta a legacy of winning. Let’s finally give this man the respect he is owed. He’s earned it!

By HAHAHAHA

September 29, 2005 11:52 AM | Link to this

How about this, you buncha dumb rednecks in need of Deliverance:

You morons want to keep on saying that if Bobby Cox had the Yankees, he would have won all those World Series… I say you’re all a bunch of sister-spanking idiots.

How about this?

If Joe Torre would have been managing the Braves… they would have won more World Series than the crappy one that Booby Cox has won!

That’s right. All of those terrible decisions in 1991, 1992, 1993, and especially 1996 wouldn’t have happened.

All of you guys, you dumb hicks, are in your little fantasy land.

You Craplanta fans and your Craplanta Braves suck.

Bobby Cox is the biggest choker in the history of baseball.

That’s a fact!

Have fun not selling out your amusement park once again once October gets here.

Buncha inbred sister-kissers.

By Patrick Cecere

September 29, 2005 11:55 AM | Link to this

Without a doubt, he’s a great long distance runner. Now, if he could only learn to sprint…

By Ben

September 29, 2005 12:01 PM | Link to this

Good column Terrence. Congratulations Bobby!!

By wjk

September 29, 2005 12:06 PM | Link to this

The respect paid to Bobby Cox by any player who ever played for him is legendary. Even Gary Sheffield (not known as a Clubhouse charmer) raves about him and always called him MR Cox .

By Mike

September 29, 2005 12:23 PM | Link to this

Right, He can’t win in the post season. The Braves are consistently out managed when it comes to winning the big one. 1 World Series title in 14 tries, pretty weak, fire him and get someone who can win when it counts

By Kelly

September 29, 2005 12:24 PM | Link to this

I’ve never posted a blog, but I must respond to Jere and Dan, who, like many others, continue to unjustly blame the 1991 Series loss on Lonnie Smith. Consider this. Lonnie hit HRs in all 3 series games in Atlanta. In 2 of those 3 games, Atlanta won by only 1 run. Thus, Atlanta would have never taken the series back to Minnesota for games 6 & 7 without Smith’s offensive contribution. Further, in game 7, everyone assumes Smith would have scored if he had not hesitated at 2nd, but no one knows for sure (and isn’t it a cardinal sin to make the 1st out at 3rd or home?). After Lonnie’s hesitation, there were Braves on 2nd (Pendleton) and 3rd (Smith) with NO outs and yet the heart of the Braves batting order failed to get the ball out of the infield to drive in the go-ahead run. One could just as easily blame the loss on Gant who grounded out to first for the 1st out, or Sid Bream who grounded to 1st for an inning-ending double-play. One last thing: Lonnie Smith was the only Brave to have a multi-hit game in game 7 of the 91 Series and he scored runs in 5 of 7 games, as well as playing errorless ball in the 3 games he played the outfield. Everyone needs to remember that one play does not determine the outcome of any game, much less a Series.

As for Bobby Cox, great manager in the regular season, clearly not in post-season play (the numbers don’t lie in either case). But you know, you have to get to the post-season to have a chance for a WS title! He certainly ranks among the best in history, and should be voted to the Hall of Fame.

By Philip

September 29, 2005 12:42 PM | Link to this

Stop beating your wife Bobby.

By Vincent J

September 29, 2005 12:45 PM | Link to this

The article says Bobby Cox is the best Manager of all time, not that he has had the best teams of all time. That is what makes Bobby great. He has not had the great bomb squads of Tony Larussa or the teams of Joe Torre. Bobby takes what he has and wins. When you really stand the Braves talent year by year with the teams around them they do not stand head over heals above anyone but Bobby knows what it takes to get them to win. Who else would have won with all these rookies. How many times have we heard how this will be the end of the run for the Braves only to watch them celebrate another division title. If the Braves had not one 1 World Series I would still say that Bobby is the best because hegets the best out of what he has. Not because he tries to get the best to come play in Atlanta.

By Mitch

September 29, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this

Terence Moore is not qualified to say anything about sports.

By Vincent J

September 29, 2005 12:50 PM | Link to this

As for HAHAHAHA, Joe Torre did manage the Braves and they did not win any WS. He only made the playoffs because of the team Booby built and left him and he drained them in 2 years. Joe Torre has the priveledge to manage the best players in the game in NY. If Bobby had that line-up he would have several WS rings.

By DrBert

September 29, 2005 01:13 PM | Link to this

Joe Torre hasn’t won a World Series since 2000…does that make him a bad manager? He managed to lose in 7 in 2001 versus the D’Backs when his vaunted closer makes a poor play on a ground ball and subsequently gives up a “dying quail” to lose the game and the series…do the fans fault him for making a poor decision in going with Rivera, who didn’t perform that night? The Yankees managed to lose in 6 versus the Marlins 2 years ago…and didn’t make it past the Angels in 2002 or the Red Sox last year…folks, let’s not forget that players must perform for the team to win…you can’t blame Bobby Cox for Shef getting two hits in an entire series, or Wohlers throwing a hanging slider, or finesse pitchers such as Glavine and Maddux not coming through in the post season)…should we salute his managerial brilliance for pinch hitting Francisco Cabrera against the Pirates (amazing when a player actually comes throuhg when it counts…I’ll never forget the sight of Sid Bream chugging around third to score the winning run in that game when it seemed the Pirates had the game and the series in hand)…if Bream had been thrown out I suppose we would all be faulting Bobby Cox for not putting in a pinch runner…I agree, Bobby sometimes doesn’t make the best decisions, but what manager does? Again, look at what has happened to Torre and the Yankees in the past five years…Does anyone want to argue that Jack McKeon, Mike Sciosa, Terry Francona, and Bob Brenly are better managers simply because they have won the World Series? I’d put my money on Bobby…I just wish he could find a way to get his players to perform in the post season…here’s hoping that this year’s crop of rookies will give their all and carry the Braves farther in the post season…the best decision Cox can make this year is to go with his young, enthusiastic players who run out every ground ball and give their best on every play…

By Phil

September 29, 2005 01:15 PM | Link to this

Terence, You are out of your mind. Bobby Cox is the sole reason we only have 1 championship. If Joe Torre had been the coach during these past 14 years, we would have around 5 titles. Cox cannot make the critical decisions that are needed during a playoff series. Have you not been watching? He leaves a pitcher in after giving up 6 or 7 runs(Reitsma last year) and then it’s too late, the game is out of reach! Stupid bonehead decisions like that year after year after year. He gets by in the regular season because there are 162 games and enough talent to make up for his stupidity. But in a short series where every decision is critical, Cox is a total failure.

By HAHAHAHA

September 29, 2005 01:32 PM | Link to this

You guys are the biggest inbred idiots I have ever seen.

That team in 1982? Overachievers.

I’m talking about the Braves teams from, well, 1993 through 1997, which were some of the greatest ever assembled, you backwoods moonshiner.

Even better than the last 3 or 4 Yankee teams.

With those teams, Torre would have won the Series…

In fact, he would have won it in 1991 and 1992 as well.

Face facts, Craplanta Fans… Bobby Cox had some of the greatest talent ever assembled, especially from 1993 to 1997, and he choked it all away.

Your manager is a choker, pure and simple.

By Bob E

September 29, 2005 02:06 PM | Link to this

I never had the chance to see Miller Huggins, John McGraw, Joe McCarthy, or Connie Mack manage and barely remember Casey Stengal. I think Whitey Herzog was very, very good but he did not have the consistent excellence of Bobby Cox. I did get to watch some other teams this year and see other managers take their teams out of the ballgame and learned to appreciate Bobby Cox more. I think you have to be at the park to observe some of the nuances which make Bobby Cox great.

I watched last year when Bobby Cox pinch ran for Adam LaRouche in the 7th inning, after a single, during a close game. The opposing pitcher was getting tired and Bobby Cox knew that starter, when tired, tended to leave the ball up in the strike zone. The next hitter was Andruw Jones, who loves that high ball. Sure enough Andruw hit a double that the pinch runner scored on, while Adam LaRouche would have had to be held at 3rd. Had Andruw not gotten a hit, I most likely would never have analyzed what happened and would have been critical of taking the then hot-hitting LaRouche out of the game so early. (I also think Bobby Cox was planning on putting on the squeeze play on the second pitch with Tim Hudson recently - but Tim Hudson swung at the first pitch.) I think the poll of the players taken earlier this year by ESPN (I believe)said so much about his greatness as the majority of the players selected him as the manager for whom they would like to play. Given the competitive nature of professional athletes, I don’t think they would select him just because he is a nice guy.

By DrBert

September 29, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this

Attention: HAHAHAHA Regarding your comment that the Braves of 1993-1997 were “even better than the last 3 or 4 Yankee teams” doesn’t help your argument, since those last 4 Yankee teams either didn’t make it to the World Series, or lost (to the D’Backs and Marlins, two expansion teams)…if not winning the Series in 1993-1997 makes Bobby Cox a choker, then I guess we can say the same about Joe Torre over the past 4 years…at least Bobby and the Braves have never blown a 3-1 series lead as the Yankees did last year against the Red Sox…again, blame the players for not performing, not the manager…

By GT

September 29, 2005 03:30 PM | Link to this

I love Bobby, he is the best this town ever saw in sports, and who really wrote the article.

By Jacques

September 29, 2005 04:45 PM | Link to this

It’s funny how people bring up so many things that Bobby hasn’t done, winning only one World Series among them. This is what they base his lack of greatness upon. This is how they justify not giving him the title of All-Time Greatest Manager.

But there isn’t a manager out there who is perfect. And even given those managers- like Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa- who have many more rings than Bobby, none of them can boast the type of respect that he’s garnered from fans and players alike.

Baseball isn’t all about winning. What good is it to have a team full of stars that you can barely get along with, let alone control? Bobby’s only put together this remarkable string of successful seasons BECAUSE of how he treats his players. He gives them the respect they deserve, and they produce for him. The fans love the players he brings in, and the players love the city. How many other teams do you know of where the players would do nearly anything to stay here?

I’ll say this: if baseball’s post-season were like that of college baseball, there is no doubt in my mind that the Braves would have won the last 14 World Series.

By Dave From Woodstock

September 29, 2005 06:01 PM | Link to this

Stop this thread at 755 homers - PLEASE!

Sparky Anderson Whitey Herzog Tony LaRussa Earl Weaver Casey Stengel Walt Alston John McGraw Connie Mack

Those are just a few I can think of off the top of my head. Bobby does rank up there near the top.

By John

September 29, 2005 09:18 PM | Link to this

According to baseball-almanac.com, most world series wins by manager is: Joe McCarthy-7, Casey Stengel-7, Connie Mack-5, Walter Alston-4, Joe Torre-4, Sparky Anderson-3, Miller Huggins-3, John McGraw-3.

The title of this article by Terrance Moore was, “Cox the best of all-time.”

Nope, NO WAY.

By PJ DAVIS

September 30, 2005 05:47 PM | Link to this

For all these years, some people have groused about Bobby. Just who do they think keeps this team in contention every year?!? BObby Cox deserves the Manager of the Year…this year especially, but for years of excellent leadership in his own way. BObby…YOU ARE THE BEST!! Thanks.

By ernie Logman

October 1, 2005 05:04 PM | Link to this

here is the question

will Bobby Cox and the Braves choke in the Divisional series or wait til the NLCS or the World Series to choke.

13 straight division titles and only 1 World series win

“Bobby Cox is bringing in Charlie Liebrandt to pitch to Kirby Puckett”