Bobby Cox, the manager who led the Atlanta Braves to 14 consecutive division titles and their first World Series championship in 1995, has died at age 84. Cox died in Marietta, Georgia, on Saturday. He had suffered a stroke in 2019 and heart issues that complicated his recovery.
Cox managed the Braves for 25 years, taking over a last-place team in June 1990 and engineering a worst-to-first finish in 1991. Though the Braves lost that World Series to the Minnesota Twins in seven games, it marked the beginning of an historic run. Under Cox's leadership, the Braves achieved a record 14 consecutive division titles, a feat no professional team in any sport had accomplished.
The Braves won their first World Series title in 1995 under Cox's management. He retired after the 2010 season and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. The Braves retired his No. 6 jersey in 2011 when he joined the team's Hall of Fame.
Cox's managerial record ranks among baseball's all-time greats. As of Saturday, he ranks fourth all-time with 2,504 wins and first with 15 division titles including the record 14 in a row. He managed 16 postseason teams and recorded 67 playoff victories. Only Connie Mack, John McGraw, and Tony La Russa had more regular-season wins than Cox.
Before his legendary tenure with Atlanta, Cox spent four seasons managing in Toronto with the Blue Jays. His 29-season managerial career was marked by an old-school approach to the dugout and he holds the record for regular-season ejections among managers with 158.
The Braves released a statement honouring Cox's legacy: "Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched".
