Bobby Cox dies at 84: Hall of Fame manager led Braves to 1995 World Series title

Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox has died at the age of 84, the Atlanta Braves announced Saturday.

“We are overwhelmed with emotion over the passing of Bobby Cox, our valued skipper,” the Braves announced in a statement. “Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 consecutive division titles, five National League pennants and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be equaled.

“Bobby was a favorite among everyone in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge about player development and the intricacies of game management were rewarded with the sport’s ultimate prize in 2014: enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame. And while Bobby’s passion for the game was unparalleled, his love of baseball was surpassed only by his love for his family. His beloved wife, Pam, and their children and beloved grandchildren.”

Cox played two seasons in the majors in 1968-69 as a third baseman and second baseman for the New York Yankees. Once he retired as a player, things really took off for him. He started as manager of the Braves in 1978 and was in charge for four years. He then managed the Toronto Blue Jays for four seasons, winning 99 games and reaching Game 7 of the ALCS in 1985. In 1990, he was rehired as manager of the Braves during the season. The following year, in 1991, the Braves began a streak of 14 consecutive NL East titles, including five NL pennants and the 1995 World Series title.

During that run in Atlanta, Cox managed Hall of Famers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones and Fred McGriff in addition to other stars like Kenny Lofton, Terry Pendleton, David Justice and Denny Neagle.

Cox retired after the 2010 season and became one of the most decorated managers in baseball history. He won four Manager of the Year awards and had his No. 6 jersey retired by the Braves. In total, he won 2,504 matches.

Here is the all-time baseball win rankings:

He also ranks fourth all-time in playoff wins.

Cox was known as one of baseball’s larger-than-life characters for decades. As an example, he holds the record for manager expulsions by a decent margin. His record is 162 ejections, with McGraw’s 121 as a sophomore. Léo Durocher is third in the 100.

There’s obviously an element of longevity here, but keep in mind that part of manager sending-offs is about advocating for players – not only supporting them and advocating for appeals, but also obstructing and preventing players from getting sent off. It’s also worth noting that, given the current state of the game and the challenges in place, this record is surely safe for generations.

Cox was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 alongside fellow managers Torre and La Russa. It was also great timing, as Maddux and Smoltz were inducted into the same class, making the Braves very important in Cooperstown that summer.