AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > May > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCox isn’t proud of ejections
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
He is about to break a baseball record many figured would never be broken — and may never be broken again. Do we celebrate it?
“No!” Bobby Cox said Monday.
Barry Bonds and home runs? No.
Bobby Cox and ejections?
“Yeah — is the commissioner coming?” he wondered.
No. John McGraw, the current record holder, won’t be there, either. Something about Cox’s numbers being artificially enhanced by caffeine and Red Man.
Do we stop the game? Recognize this moment on the scoreboard? Give the man a trophy — of a bronze thumb, perhaps?
“I think all of the umpires should get together and give him something,” John Smoltz said.
“He should get at least a plaque or a certificate,” said the former Brave, Greg Maddux. “Maybe something with his name, the date, the umpire.”
Three more and he ties the record. Four more and he breaks the record.
Twenty-eight more ejections and Bobby Cox will have been thrown out for an entire season. (Liberty Media will figure out some way that affects his retirement benefits.)
Baseball is a game of numbers. We associate so many of the game’s legends with digits: 56, 61, 714, 755, whatever unfortunately, bloated figure will come next.
But the number Cox is linked to today — he’d rather forget. He has been thrown out of 128 games, the most recent coming Sunday when he charged out to debate Chipper Jones’ check-swing third-strike call by umpire Bob Davidson. He is only three behind McGraw, a man nicknamed “Little Napoleon” and “Muggsy,” neither being a term of endearment.
Say this for Cox: He has never been nicknamed for a dictator. But the man needs his own exit music. He has been thrown out 14 more times than Leo Durocher, 30 more times than Earl Weaver, 57 more times than Lou Piniella. We’re not talking guys who sat around with candles and incense and discussed metaphysics.
“It’s kind of embarrassing,” Cox said.
He would prefer this moment in history pass without notice, like a series of unintended oops moments. No ceremony, no handshake, no umpire expressing he’s No. 1 (wrong finger).
Cox’s players will tell you the arguments and ejections illustrate his loyalty, his willingness to back them in arguments and take the heat. Also his fuse. He goes too far at times, and often by design.
Chipper Jones estimates Cox gets thrown out on purpose “30 to 40 percent of the time.”
Cox’s estimate: “Never.” There’s an argument he’ll lose.
Asked how often he leaves the dugout knowing that he’ll probably get thrown out when he reaches his target, he said: “Just about every time.”
He has been thrown out three times this season. At this rate, he’ll need to go to the managerial bullpen 16 times.
“I think Bobby’s one of those guys who sends his fine money in before the season starts,” Jones said. “Then he gets the ejections on credit.”
I Googled “baseball manager ejections” Monday. Cox’s Wikipedia bio was the fourth entry.
He has never been particularly demonstrative. He has never pulled up a base or thrown bats out of the dugout or kicked dirt on an ump. Did kind of spit on one once. In 1980, Cox was arguing with Jerry Dale, who said Braves shortstop Rafael Ramirez missed a forceout at second base, when something wet accompanied an expletive.
“I was chewing tobacco at the time and when I yelled at him it sprayed a little,” Cox said. “Then he spit in my face. He got fired the next year — not over that.”
Generally speaking, however, Cox is not one for theatrics. He’s more of a persistent pain in the posterior.
His self-analysis: “Not really. Well, a little bit.”
The Baseball Almanac has charted all 22 times a player or manager has been thrown out of a World Series game. Cox is the last two entries (1992 and 1996). He is the only player or manager to be thrown out of two Series games.
He’ll tell you he’s not proud of this. He’ll tell you it’s the only record that actually costs you money. And he’ll tell you to change the subject.
Where to put this record?
“Don’t put it anywhere,” he said.
Permalink | Comments (51) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Jeff Schultz
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By BLEE
May 7, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
i’m first
By mike
May 7, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
Is the season still 162 games? “Three more ties the record. Four more and he breaks the record. Twenty-eight more ejections and Bobby Cox will have been thrown out for an entire season…He has been thrown out of 128 games”
That adds up to 156. Adding the four to break the record yields 160 though i think those four were included in the 28. Yes. I have nothing better to do.
By tom
May 8, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
mike, you’re on to the conspiracy. i’m third. i do have better things to do, but i’m not doing them.
By mike
May 8, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
thanks Tom. I’m glad I’m not the only one.
By gotigers72
May 8, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this
Sometimes Bobby’s ejections are justified, sometimes not. When he argues balls and strikes, that is not justified. He can’t tell from the dugout whether it was a ball or a strike.
When he is justified, he should go nuts. I would like to see him pull a Lou Pinella and go nuts just once. Throw some bats on the field or something. It won’t cost him anymore or anything, as long as he doesn’t physically abuse an umpire.
The whole thing about baseball ejections is subjective. A lot of times the umpire will miss a call, then when the manager comes out to argue, he gets tossed. The umpire is wrong, yet the manager gets tossed. How right is that? I’m sure MLB punishes umpires in some way sometimes. They should publicize which umpire gets punished and why. Most umpires are okay and let managers and players have their say. But some try to goad a manager or a player into losing it so they can toss them. Bob Davidson’s early toss of Bobby this past Sunday was ridiculous.
By Coach
May 8, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
I would comment , but I can’t stop laughing.
By mike
May 8, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this
I guess the point I made shows why Schultz is a journalist and not in some line of work that requires basic math skills.
By Lynn
May 8, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this
I agree with Coach…I’m still laughing! As My Mom says…it’s not a good game until Bobby gets thrown out!
By Clay
May 8, 2007 1:18 AM | Link to this
Bobby, you should be proud. All the Atlanta fans are. That a way to stick up for your boys!!
By Sir Stealth
May 8, 2007 1:26 AM | Link to this
I would love to be at the game where Bobby breaks the record. There may be no moment at Turner field as excited as when Cox emerges angrily from the dugout. Go get ‘em Bobby!!!
By Tampaparrotthead
May 8, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this
Many times Bobby argues a ball or strike call that he actually can’t tell from his vantage point whether it is across or off of the plate. But his purpose in that usually is to keep a player from getting tossed. He had rather get tossed himself rather than see a player tossed. After all, if anybody thinks that Bobby goes back to his office and contemplates his sins once he is ejected, they are sadly mistakened. He is still calling the shots via a TV monitor and a clubby who’s running interference to the bench.
Also, after arguing a ball or strike call that he really can’t tell whether or not it’s a good pitch, his point is usually to get the benefit of the doubt on the following calls… which he usually does. There is a science to this ejection thing, and Robert Cox has it all under control!!
The TPH
By Scott
May 8, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this
Bobby Rules
By Don
May 8, 2007 2:35 AM | Link to this
Balkin’ Bob Davidson has always been a jerk.
By astralboy
May 8, 2007 2:54 AM | Link to this
Don,
That’s “Balk a Day Bob” Davidson. And he’s almost as big a jerk as Bruce Froemming(sp), the most pompous umpire in baseball. He will NEVER ask for help. Remember the phantom out at second in the ‘95 World Series? Bobby does….
By Curtis
May 8, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this
Let’s not forget Billy Hohn, who is Bob Davidson’s Mini-Me.
Hohn is another one who who feels the need to draw attention to himself. I’d like to know how many times Hohn has tossed Bobby Cox.
By replace the j with r
May 8, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this
Cox isn’t proud of erections
He has been thrown out three times this season. At this rate, he’ll need to go to the managerial bullpen 16 times.
“I think Bobby’s one of those guys who sends his fine money in before the season starts,” Jones said. “Then he gets the erections on credit.” I Googled “baseball manager erections” Monday. Cox’s Wikipedia bio was the fourth entry.
He has never been particularly demonstrative. He has never pulled up a base or thrown bats out of the dugout or kicked dirt on an ump. Did kind of spit on one once. In 1980, Cox was arguing with Jerry Dale, who said Braves shortstop Rafael Ramirez missed a forceout at second base, when something wet accompanied an expletive. “I was chewing tobacco at the time and when I yelled at him it sprayed a little,” Cox said. “Then he spit in my face. He got fired the next year — not over that.”
Generally speaking, however, Cox is not one for theatrics. He’s more of a persistent pain in the posterior. His self-analysis: “Not really. Well, a little bit.”
The Baseball Almanac has charted all 22 times a player or manager has been thrown out of a World Series game. Cox is the last two entries (1992 and 1996). He is the only player or manager to be thrown out of two Series games.
He’ll tell you he’s not proud of this. He’ll tell you it’s the only record that actually costs you money. And he’ll tell you to change the subject. Where to put this record?
“Don’t put it anywhere,” he said.
By Steve Skelton
May 8, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
If you can keep a managing job long enough to break that record with the way these guys get fired is a testament to just how great Bobby has been for the Braves. IMO, that record is a badge of honor. Oh, and Bob Davidson totally blew that call Sunday. He’s the MLB version of that Joey Crawford guy in the NBA…..likes to be in the spotlight MUCH more than an official or umpire should ever be.
By mLn
May 8, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this
Come on, Mr. Commissioner! Forget chasing Barry across the county. This is the record breaking man to follow! Go Bobby. Thanks for sticking up for your players!
By Wickman Fan
May 8, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this
Bobby rules. I loved how Chipper showed some emotion on Sunday, too. I am still laughing.
By Mike Hunt
May 8, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
I think that if the Braves reach the playoffs this year and Bobby decides to do that ridicuous left/righty thing, then the umpire should be obligated to throw him out for the offense of managing another stupid series.
By Orlando Rivera
May 8, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
If Atlanta could use that kind of emotion this October, we could see some success. I don’t know what it is that Bobby Cox does to irk the umpires so much.
By Ryder
May 8, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this
Slow news day eh Jeff?
Orlando, Atlanta supposedly lost all their emotion when all of the black players left. Or didn’t you read the headline article about Atlanta not drafting enough black players to satisfy the civil rights leaders? Ridiculous!
By TDub
May 8, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
Hey Wickman Fan,
I totally agree with you about Chipper. It was good to see him get emotional. Now, if only Andruw would follow suit. Remember back in the day when Bobby would take his ballcap off he would automatically get tossed? Well while watching the game Sunday, as soon as Bobby came out of the dugout, my wife said if he takes his ballcap off he’s gone! Well he kept his cap on and they still threw him out!! It’s always fun to see him run out there with those bad knees. LOL!
Go Bobbby! We love ya!
By The Nerd
May 8, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
Breaking the all time eject record? Aw, come on. Common sense stipulates that you should never, ever, and I repeat NEVER, EVER arue with an umpire. Bobby Cox pul-leeze give umpires the commom respect for the game and play by the book. Why? Because justications don’t cut it with “moi”!
By Don
May 8, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
astralboy Curtis :
Balkin’ Bob tossed out the Rockies manager last night who ran to out to argue a missed call—the ball was a homer, Bob is blind, missed it—the guy is a joke.
By DC Braves Fan
May 8, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
Does anyone know which ump has thrown him out the most??
By Kelley
May 8, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Great article Jeff!
Bobby is such a great leader and part of the reason he is so great is how he sticks up for his players; I would suspect this is the reason for the majority of his ejections.
Personally, I would love for his record breaking ejection to occur at home and I would give anything to be there when it happens.
I think Bobby is the best ever, and his knack to get kicked out defending his players is just reason why I adore him and truly think there is no one better. Let’s not forget he will also become number four in all time wins this season too, that’s pretty impressive as well.
By Rob
May 8, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
Do they get credit for the win when they are ejected, do they have to make it past the 5th inning to get credit for the win? if so, that might change his 2000 win platue!…wouldnt it…
By IlliniAmy
May 8, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
Mike,
If he gets thrown out 28 more times IN HIS CAREER, that means he’ll have been thrown out 162 times IN HIS CAREER. We’re talking career record, not single-season record.
By David
May 8, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
Bobby is just protecting his players…rock on Bobby
By Barry
May 8, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
What is the Braves record when Bobby gets thrown out of the game?
By Gene
May 8, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Arguing is certainly part of the tradition although I have never seen an ump change a call. It can fire up a baseball team.
By David
May 8, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
All i can say is Go Bobby Go!
By Ron Gant
May 8, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
The funny part is that he has probably been right 90% of all those ejections.
By Bushwacker
May 8, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
I’ve had it with these groups out there creating controversy where there is none.
Some one ask Rainbow a_ _ HOLES why there are not complaining about the lack of white players in the NBA????
By Nate
May 8, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
The thing about Bobby that people, especially his own players, love about him is that he will defend no matter what. His players to him are like a family and when somebody messes with his family, watch out because he will go nuts. Yes, he does argue to express his points to the umpire and try and get a call later in the game, but the main reason he does it is to show that no matter what his players do or think, he will back them no matter what. This is why so many people love playing for him and why he is one of the best managers of all time…
By Amber
May 8, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
Go Bobby GO!
Bushwacker: I think I should complain about the lack of positions for women in MLB. Where are the announcers, commentators, etc? Don’t give me on-field eye candy BS. Where are women ON ESPN?
I agree with you.
By scott
May 8, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
Can anyone help me remember this?
I was only 8 years old during the 1991 World Series, but I do vividly remember Game 2 when Kent Hrbek pulled Ron Gant’s leg off first base.
How in the world did Bobby Cox NOT get ejected during that game? The Bobby of 2007 would have gone postal over that. (as I do in my mind every time I think of it…)
What did happen in result of that play? Did anyone protest or anything? The article above only mentions Cox getting thrown out in ‘92 and ‘96. I can’t remember…
By Matt
May 8, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
If the Braves are too white, then I think Rainbow/Push is too black. Jesse needs to start Rainbow/Pushing more black kids to play baseball. I think we need to brighten Rainbow/Push with a few more white folks ! Go away Jesse and leave us alone.
PS Give’m Hell BOBBY!
By Walt
May 8, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Good to see the fire in Bobby and Chipper on Sunday although they got tossed. The team got fired up. The third base ump [Davidson] and the home plate ump should get fined or tossed from MLB for missing the call in Sunday afternoon’s game. Davidson is a big joke and lacks professionalism. Both used poor judgment and MLB is only feeding the big ego.
By Melanie
May 8, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
I love it…it’s great to see players and managers get fired up (to a daytime television acceptable level, of course). In my opinion, it shows that they’re not just machines swinging bats for money, they care about the game itself and their team. And everybody knows that as soon as that hat comes off, Bobby is getting tossed. Ever been to a game that he’s gotten ejected from? It’s the highlight of the entire nine innings!
By edward
May 8, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
When he breaks the record, I’ll make a trophy and mail it to him. Not to be rude, but it will be on his credentials when he makes the hall. He may not like it, but everyone knows he doesn’t go out of his way to get the thumb. Don’t fight this one too Bobby, it’s just another arguement that’ll get you ejected!!
By mike
May 8, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
IlliniAmy
I understand that Jeff didn’t mean he would be ejected in 162 games this season. I merely pointed out that a season is 162 games. Jeff said Bobby has been ejected 128 times. He didn’t state that was his career total but that is what I assumed he meant. He also stated 28 more times would equal a season’s worth of games. Again, I understand that is for his career and not this season. However adding 28 plus 128 gives us a total of 156. And 156 is not a season’s worth of ejections. Maybe close but not quite.
By Gumby
May 8, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
Bobby may not be proud of his ejection record, but being the ejection king does have its benefits. First of all, by so being an ejection king, you have been off the field many times, occasionally thereby giving yourself free paid vacation time. Secondly, by being kicked out of games so many times, you give your team the opportunity to run itself without you being there giving them involuntary leadership opportunities. Finally, you have so much experience getting ejected that if were to get thrown from your car or ejected from the vehicle if you will, you probably would know exactly what to do after having been ejected so many times from the diamond. SO BOBBY COX, THIS BUDS FOR YOU. THANKS FOR GETTING KICKED TO THE CURB TO MANY TIMES.
By Seb
May 8, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
I wish they’d mic him like Torre was in ‘82(?). It’d be very R rated, but major entertainment.
By Matt_T
May 8, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Sent this to Deadspin. Check it out:
http://deadspin.com/sports/take-the-rest-of-the-night-off/bobby-cox-likes-to-leave-early-sometimes-258632.php
By Jeff O'Byrne
May 8, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
As I understand it, Joe Beasley, Southern Regional Director for the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and Dexter Clinkscale want the Braves to scout Atlanta for ball players? Six out of the current 25 man roster are from Georgia. Sounds like thorough scouting to me!
By Gacques
May 8, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
Way to go, Bobby! I’ve been a Braves fan for all 22 years of my life, and ever since I was little I knew he only argued when it mattered. He’s not the type of guy to get thrown out of a game for a stupid reason, and I think him breaking the record reflects his loyalty to his players.
As for the number of blacks on the team, how about looking at the number of blacks in baseball, and then dividing that by the number of teams? My father and I spoke about it yesterday, and we both noticed that even highly talented black players normally go to college and play football or basketball. There were about seven or eight black guys on my high school’s team my senior year, but those that went to college did so on scholarships in other sports.
As a black man, myself, I really think that Rainbow/Push is pushing their way into something they really don’t understand. It’s not as if the Braves have never had any black players, after all. And sure, you can scout out some really good black players and bring them onto the team. But you don’t really hear about a lot of exceptional back players in college, whether here in Georgia or elsewhere.
Why not argue the lack of hispanics in hockey?
By Mark in PA
May 8, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this
I seem to recall an article on the team page a while back about the Braves Baseball Academy opening up to attract inner city kids to the game. Several players and the Braves org gave big $$$ and time to get it off the ground. THEN I read that Rainbow/PUSH is not happy with the Braves over opportunities for blacks in the game? Are you friggin’ kidding me? I’ll bet not ONE DIME went from Rainbow/PUSH to the Baseball Academy. What a world.
By CB
May 8, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
Jeff, Please write an article about the idiots at the Rainbow/Push coalition. If we use the Rainbow/Push coalition logic, we should petition the Hawks to sign an american born white guy. They have 12 black players, 3 foreign born players, and ZERO american born white players. Why doesn’t Jesse Jackson go meet with Billy Knight like he did with Schuerholz?
By Coach
May 9, 2007 1:15 AM | Link to this
How many white players suited up for the Hawks this season ? three. To go along with nine blacks. Thats a three to one ratio in favor of black athletes.