2014 MLB Hall of Fame Inductees: Tony La Russa, Joe Torre, Bobby Cox
Mar 11, 2014; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves former manager Bobby Cox signs autographs before the Braves play the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training exhibition game at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Bobby Cox began his Major League managerial career in 1978 in his first stint with the Atlanta Braves. He managed there until 1981. Under his leadership the struggling Braves he turned the Braves around from having the worst record in the Majors to finishing over .500 in 1980. In 1981 the Braves finished fifth following the strike and Cox was fired only to be succeeded by Joe Torre. During this first stint with the Braves, Cox made one of his most infamous decisions, he moved catcher/first baseman Dale Murphy to center field. The power-hitting Murphy went on to win two N.L. MVP Awards and five Gold Gloves at center field.
Cox went on to manage the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 until 1985. The team continually improved under his leadership, making it to the American League Championship Series in 1985. Cox returned to the Atlanta Braves as general manager in 1986 and remained with the organization until his retirement in 2010.
He named himself manager of the club in June 1990 after firing Russ Nixon. Having spent the last four years accumulating super-star players such as David Justice, Tom Glavine, Pete Smith and Chipper Jones the Braves went on to being a powerhouse team in the early to mid 1990’s. They appeared in playoffs a total of 14 times between 1990 and 2010, winning the World Series in 1995.
Cox is the fourth winningest-manager in baseball history with 2,504 wins. He was named Manager of the Year four times in 1985, 1991, 2004 and 2005 and is one of only four managers to win the award in both leagues. He has the distinction of being ejected from the most games in MLB history as a manager with 158 games. Cox surpassed John McGraw in this category in 2007 and was ejected for the final time in 2010.
Cox is a Braves legend and is certainly deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame, alongside La Russa and Torre. The three managers were, without question, the best of their generation.