Braves regret but relish one more year

By David O'Brien

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

NEW YORK — As word spread across the Braves' clubhouse Wednesday that manager Bobby Cox would be back in 2010, the general reaction among players was subdued.

To a man, they were happy to learn the venerable manager would return. But most seemed surprised and even saddened by news that Cox said next season would be his last as manager.

"For real?" catcher Brian McCann asked. "I think if next year is going to be his last year, we definitely want to send him out on a good note and get this organization, get everything back to where it was ... and that's on top of the division and making a postseason appearance every single year."

Pitcher Jair Jurrjens said, "I think that maybe some guys are going to take a little more pride to give him at least one more run to the playoffs and maybe give him a chance to win a ring again."

Martin Prado, an erstwhile utility infielder who Cox moved to the second-base job at midseason, said he had expected Cox to return. But he hadn't known that it would only be for one more season.

"He's one of those guys who always supported me," Prado said, "and he knows what we can do. He knows the team, knows everybody here and I'm so glad, so happy that he's coming back next year."

Chipper Jones has played for one manager his entire major league career and said many times said he couldn't imagine Cox doing anything but managing. When told that Cox seemed adamant about retiring after 2010, Jones smiled and said, "I'll believe it when I see it."

Then he turned serious.

"Bobby's as much a part of Atlanta Braves baseball as Skip Caray or Pete Van Wieren and all those guys were," Jones said. "More so, because he's been the one constant through the entire run that we've had over the last 20 years. It'll be a sad day when he leaves."

The third baseman, who has said he hoped to play his whole career under Cox, was asked about that not being possible if Cox steps down.

"Well, Bobby might be my only manager — we'll see," Jones said, inferring the possibility that he, too, might retire at the end of the 2010 season.

Jones, 37, signed a three-year, $42-million extension in March that runs through 2012. But he has said if he struggles as much in 2010 as this season, he would walk away from the last two years of his deal.

"If I have a good year [in 2010], I will consider continuing to play — depending on who the manager is," said Jones, adding that Cox's successor would be "very important" in his decision. "Obviously the way things are done around here may change. That could be good, could be bad.

"Guys around here are used to the way Bobby runs a camp, the way he runs a clubhouse and the way he runs a game. And something different could be culture shock. But, I mean, there could be some positives. Could be some negatives. Just got to wait and see who the lucky soul is."

Jones admitted to being facetious in calling the person "lucky" who must fill Cox's shoes. "Yeah, I wouldn't want to be stepping into ‘em," he said.

Reliever Peter Moylan said he couldn't imagine the team without Cox as its manager.

"He's the only manager I've ever had and from what I've heard, everybody around the league wants to play for him," the Aussie pitcher said. "I don't know what it's going to be like without him, to be honest with you.

"I don't think you really need any extra incentive to win and he'd say exactly the same thing. But knowing it's his last year and knowing it's been such a good career and him wanting to go out on a high note, I said you don't need any extra motivation, but I'm sure it'll be in the backs of our minds."