Cox, Bobby | Baseball Hall of Fame Baseball Hall of Fame Inducted to the Hall of Fame in: 2014 Primary team: Atlanta Braves Primary position: Manager Although Bobby Cox’s playing days were cut short by injuries, he set out on a trail that led him to a long and successful career as one of the game’s most highly regarded managers. In an amazing run, Cox, the one-time infielder, would skipper big league teams for three decades, accumulating more than 2,500 victories by the time he retired after the 2010 season. But his greatest accomplishments came during his second stint with the Atlanta Braves, when he led the franchise to 14 straight division crowns and a World Series title. Born May 21, 1941 in Tulsa, Okla., Cox graduated from Selma High School in California’s San Joaquin Valley before signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1959. As a minor leaguer, splitting his time between second and third base, Cox spent five seasons in the Dodgers’ farm system before being selected by the Cubs in the November 1964 minor league draft.

After being traded to the Braves in April 1966, Cox was acquired by the Yankees after the 1967 season, where he made his big league debut in 1968. After two seasons as a big league third baseman with the Yankees, bad knees would eventually force Cox to retire as a player. But a career as a manager beckoned, and Cox progressed rapidly. The 30-year-old Cox began his managerial career in the Yankees’ farm system with Fort Lauderdale of the Florida State League in 1971. After a season with West Haven in the Eastern League, he skippered Syracuse for four seasons, winning the International League’s Governor’s Cup in 1976 before serving as the Yankees’ first base coach in their championship season of 1977. After 10 years with the Yankees as a player, a minor league manager and a big league coach, Cox became Atlanta’s eighth manager in 12 years in December 1977.

Of the 36-year-old, who was two years younger than Braves pitcher Phil Niekro and became the youngest manager in the National League, Braves owner Ted Turner said Cox was picked “because we have a young team and wanted someone who was young and had his future ahead instead of behind him.” Of his managing philosophy, Cox said, “I’m my own manager. I have no ‘book’ on the subject; I don’t pattern myself after anybody especially. “I hope to work hard as I can and not put pressure on the players. I think I can handle ballplayers at the major league level just as I did in the minor leagues. There’s not that much difference. It’s still a young man’s game.” Cox’s first stint managing the Braves would last from 1978 to 1981, resulting in a 266-323 record. When Turner was asked at a 1981 press conference who the likely next manager of the Braves would be, he replied, “It would be Bobby Cox if I hadn’t just fired him.

We need someone like him around here.” After four years managing the Toronto Blue Jays, which included leading the young franchise to 99 wins and to within one game of attaining a World Series berth in 1985, Cox returned to Atlanta as general manager in October 1985. After overseeing a farm system that would lay the foundation for future success, he also became Atlanta’s manager on June 22, 1990. Cox was able to devote all his time to managing when John Schuerholz was named GM of the Braves in October 1990. Starting in 1991, the Braves began a remarkable string of 14 consecutive division crowns that led to five National League pennants (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 1999) and in 1995 the first professional sports world championship for the city of Atlanta. A hallmark of this era in Braves history was the starting pitching trio of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz.

During Cox’s tenure as their manager, the Braves won six NL Cy Young awards – Maddux’s three, Glavine’s two, Smoltz’s one. “(Cox) was the single greatest influence on me as a player, in terms of teaching the game, respecting the game, carrying yourself the right way on and off the field,” Glavine said. “All that stuff was important. He was very much like a fatherly figure in that regard.” “A small part of Bobby Cox changes you as a baseball player,” Smoltz said. “Twenty years with the man changes your life.” Known as a “players’” manager, Cox treated his players the way he’d want to be treated. “I played for a lot of different managers and been around all through the leagues, and some I didn’t care to play for at all. I didn’t want to be one of those guys,” Cox said. “When you get the reputation as a players’ manager, players have got to put out. If I’m fair with them, they’ll give me everything they got.” Cox retired from managing at the conclusion of the 2010 campaign, having spent 29 seasons as a big league skipper.

His 2,504 wins rank fifth all-time and include a franchise-best 2,149 victories with the Braves. “I’m proud that I played for one of the best managers a player could ever ask to play for,” said Braves pitcher Tim Hudson. “He’s a manager that feels like a teammate, a friend and a father figure. That’s not something many people can say they’ve done in their major league career. I think everybody in this clubhouse is really lucky to say that.” Voted the Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America four times (1985 with Toronto and 1991, 2004 and 2005 with Atlanta), Cox was also honored by the Sporting News, in a poll of his peers, as the league's top skipper eight times.

“If I was a ballplayer,” said umpire Bob Davidson, who was responsible for six of Cox’s big league record 158 ejections, “I’d want to play for Bobby Cox.” On June 8, 2009, Cox posted his 2,000th Braves victory, making him just the fourth skipper in big-league history to claim 2,000 wins with one team, joining Connie Mack (Athletics), John McGraw(Giants) and Walter Alston (Dodgers). “He never played an inning for the Atlanta Braves,” said longtime Braves player Chipper Jones. “He never threw a pitch and he never got a hit. But he was responsible for 2,000-plus wins.” Manager and Coaches | Atlanta Braves Full Name: Coaching Career The 2010 season marks Bobby Cox's 29th as a Major League manager and his 25th at the helm of the Braves. Atlanta finished with an 86-76 record and a third-place finish in the National League East Division.

On June 8, Cox posted his 2,000th Braves victory, making him just the fourth skipper in big-league history to claim 2,000 wins with one team, joining Connie Mack (Athletics), John McGraw (Giants) and Walter Alston (Dodgers). On September 23, 2009, the Braves announced that Cox had agreed to a contract extension for the 2010 season, and Cox himself announced that he will retire from managing at the conclusion of the 2010 campaign, thus bringing to an end one of the greatest managerial careers in the history of the game. As part of Cox's contract extension, he was given a five-year consulting agreement, from 2011 to 2015, where he will advise and consult in all areas of Baseball Operations, including the Major League Club, spring training, minor league operations and scouting. In addition, Cox will work with the office of the president on special business projects. Cox's 2,413 wins rank fourth all-time and include a franchise-best 2,058 victories with the Braves and 355 with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cox owns an overall career record of 2,413-1,930-3 (.557). The Braves have won more games (1,752) in the 19-season span since 1991 than any other team in baseball (the New York Yankees rank second with 1,749). Cox has won 15 division crowns in his career, including 14 in Atlanta that have led to five pennants (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 1999) and one World Championship (1995). Cox led the Braves to an 84-78 record in 2007, but Atlanta's 2006 record of 79-83 snapped Cox's string of 15 consecutive winning seasons, tying him with Al Lopez and Earl Weaver for third place all-time behind Joe McCarthy (20) and Sparky Anderson (17). He was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in May 2006.

The 2005 season was one that many observers considered the finest of Cox's long and storied career, as he led the injury-riddled Braves to their 14th consecutive division title. Despite extended injuries to such stars as Chipper Jones and Johnny Estrada, as well as lengthy absences by three-fifths of the starting rotation (Mike Hampton, Tim Hudson and John Thomson), Cox again worked his magic, utilizing the services of 18 different rookies, 12 of whom made their Major League debut. The Braves' 2005 firstplace finish was the 15th in a row for Cox in seasons in which he managed from the outset, including his final year in Toronto in 1985. The '05 campaign was Cox's 14th with 90 or more wins, placing him third all-time in 90-win seasons behind Hall of Famer skippers John McGraw (16) and Joe McCarthy (15). Cox was voted the National League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America for the second consecutive season, and fourth overall, as well as being named Manager of the Year by Sporting News, Baseball America and Sports Weekly.

The Sporting News, in a poll of his peers, honored Cox as the NL's top skipper for the fourth straight season, marking the seventh time he received the honor with the Braves and the eighth time overall. No other manager has won the Sporting News award more than three times since the magazine started the balloting in 1936. In 2004, Cox was voted the NL Manager of the Year by the BBWAA, as well as Sporting News, Baseball America and Sports Weekly. Despite the off-season departures of such players as Gary Sheffield, Javy Lopez, Vinny Castilla and Greg Maddux, Cox proved the prognosticators wrong and led the club to a 96-66 record, winning the NL East by 10 games. On September 29, 2004, in the season's final home game, Cox earned his 2,000th career victory with a 6-4 decision over the New York Mets. He became just the ninth skipper in big-league history to reach that lofty milestone.

The Sporting News named Cox the NL manager of the year in 2003 as he moved past Casey Stengel into ninth place on the all-time managerial win list. He joined the Yankees' Joe McCarthy as the only managers in major league history to guide their teams to 100 or more wins in a season six times. The Braves, with their 101-61 record, utilized a record-setting offense and quality pitching, finishing 10 games ahead of the Florida Marlins in the NL East. With the Braves' 101st win on the last day of the 2003 season, a 5-2 victory at Philadelphia, Cox reached 1,906 career victories, one more than Stengel. Cox earned the Sporting News award for the fifth time in 2002, when the Braves won their 12th consecutive division title despite a mostly unheralded bullpen and injuries to key personnel. Cox brought the city of Atlanta its first major professional sports world championship in 1995 when the Braves defeated the Cleveland Indians, four games to two, in the World Series.

The victory also marked the first time a franchise had won a World Series in three different cities. In 1993, the Braves won 104 games and became the first National League West team to win three straight division titles. The Braves' 400 Club honored Cox with its Mr. Baseball Award that season. The Braves' performance in 1991, when they went from worst-to-first and participated in one of the most dramatic World Series in history, earned Cox several postseason honors. Among others, the Associated Press named him Major League Manager of the Year. Cox became the first manager to earn that honor in both leagues, having also won it while with the Blue Jays in 1985. Cox managed the Braves from 1978 to '81, compiling a 266-323 record and laying the groundwork for the club's National League West title in 1982. He began a four-year tenure as Toronto's manager in 1982, lifting a habitual last-place team to within one game of attaining a World Series berth in 1985.

In 1982, Cox led the Blue Jays to a 78-84 mark, the best record in their six-year existence. Toronto improved to 89-73 each of the next two seasons and then won the American League East crown by finishing 99-62 in 1985. For his efforts that year, Cox was named Major League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America, the Associated Press and the Sporting News. Cox returned to the Braves as general manager in October 1985 and oversaw a farm system which set the foundation for great success. He added the field managing responsibilities on June 22, 1990, then devoted all his time to those duties when the Braves named John Schuerholz General Manager in October of that year. Playing Career Cox spent five years in the Dodgers' farm system before being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the November 1964 Minor League Draft. He was acquired by the Braves in a 1966 trade that sent outfielder Billy Cowan to the Cubs.

After playing for Triple-A Richmond in 1967, he was traded to the New York Yankees and beat out Mike Ferraro, the Yankees' outstanding spring training rookie, for the third base job in 1968. Cox made the Topps Rookie All-Star team in 1968, but lost his job to roommate Bobby Murcer in '69. Bad knees forced Cox to retire as a player at the age of 30. He was appointed manager of the Yankees' Class-A Fort Lauderdale club in 1971. He won the Eastern League pennant and championship with West Haven in 1972 and placed second twice and third twice in four years at Syracuse, winning the International League's Governor's Cup in 1976. He served as the Yankees' first base coach in 1977. Personal Born May 21, 1941, in Tulsa, Okla., Cox graduated from Selma (Calif.) High School in 1959 and attended Reedley Junior College. He and his wife Pam, and three daughters, Keisha, Kami and Skyla, live in Marietta, Ga.

He has five other children: Debbie, Bobby Jr., Connie, Shelly and Randy. Giants sent Braves' Bobby Cox into retirement - USATODAY.com Giants sent Braves' Bobby Cox into retirement Posted E-mail | Print | By Charles Odum, AP Sports Writer ATLANTA  Bobby Cox's first moments in retirement were no different than his 29 years as a major league manager. As always, his team came first. "I'm proud of this team," an emotional Cox said after the end of the Braves' season and his half-century in baseball, most of it in uniform. "I told them that a little while ago," Cox said, struggling to speak in his final news conference as the Atlanta manager. "They played their hearts out and I'll miss them." With those words, Cox looked down. When he looked up again, there were tears in his eyes. The San Francisco Giants tipped their caps to Cox after sending him into retirement by beating the Braves in the best-of-five NL division series. As the Giants celebrated on the field after their 3-2 win in Game 4, Braves fans chanted "Bobby! Bobby!

Bobby!" The Braves watched from the edge of the dugout as Cox came out and tipped his cap to the fans. The Giants momentarily stopped their brief celebration, faced the Braves' dugout and tipped their caps to Cox. "I saw them, and I gave them a thumbs-up, too," Cox said. "... That was nice, a nice gesture by the Giants. I love (manager Bruce) Bochy. He's one of the best guys in baseball. If we couldn't win, I'm glad he did." Giants infielder Freddy Sanchez explained why he and his teammates paid tribute to Cox. "He's a legend in this sport. He's been a great mentor to so many people in the sport," Sanchez said. "We had to show our respect. First things first. Then we could go celebrate." Fans cheered and applauded right after the game as a tribute to Cox was played on the video board. Then, minutes later, Cox and his players left an empty dugout. The toughest part of a difficult night may have been Cox's postgame talk to his players behind closed doors. "He came in for a minute and walked out," catcher Brian McCann said. "He let us know that he appreciated that we played hard every single day.

We just wish we were still playing. We played as hard as we could." McCann called the clubhouse scene with Cox "sad, definitely sad." "I'm gonna miss him. He's an amazing manager, an amazing person. We're all going to miss him around here," McCann said. Cox came back in the clubhouse later, hugged pitcher Derek Lowe and then, obviously struggling with his emotions, left again. Chipper Jones, who has been with Cox the longest of any current player, said he's never seen Cox so emotional. "It's still hard to believe he's not going to be the manager come spring training," Jones said. Rookie Jason Heyward said he was grateful for his one season with Cox. Asked if Cox set the bar high for future Braves managers, Heyward said "He sets the bar for any person I'll come across." Cox is retiring after 29 seasons as a major league manager, 25 with the Braves and four with Toronto. He managed 16 teams to the postseason. Cox wasn't the only longtime manager to retire this year. Three of his longtime rivals <emdash /> Joe Torre, Cito Gaston and Lou Piniella <emdash /> also retired.

Cox finished with 2,504 regular-season wins, fourth all-time behind Connie Mack, John McGraw and Tony La Russa. He had 158 regular-season ejections, the most among managers. He led the Braves to a record 14 straight division championships, five NL championships and the 1995 World Series. This was his first wild-card team. Cox struggled to make plans for his first day in retirement. "I don't know, I'm going to try to come out here," he said. "I'm not sure yet." After more than 50 years in baseball as a player, coach, manager and general manager, Cox can look ahead to a consultant's role with the team. He says his role will be minor and will include visits with the organization's minor league players. Cox says he's looking forward to more time with his family, but many wonder how he'll fare away from daily contact with the game. Baseball has been his life, and many close to him believed he would never walk away from the game. He was a teenage infielder the first time he put on a pro uniform, back in the old Class C league.

That was before there were domes, a designated hitter or even a Dodger Stadium. Several years later, he was in the New York Yankees starting lineup on the day Mickey Mantle played his final game. As the Braves turn to their search to hire Cox's replacement, he can turn his thoughts to plans for two cruises <emdash /> one bought by his wife, Pam, and one by his players. Pam prepaid for a cruise for the couple next April, perhaps as insurance against Cox changing his mind. The players gave the 69-year-old Cox one final postseason as another going away present, ending a streak of four straight years out of the playoffs. Injuries to Jones, Martin Prado, Jair Jurrjens, Kris Medlen and others left the team unable to match the Giants. There were tributes to Cox across the NL this season, and a big celebration at home for the end of the regular season. There was a big No. 6 cut into the centerfield grass for the final series of the season against the Phillies, but that was removed for the postseason. Baseball came first, just as Cox wanted. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Posted E-mail | Print | To report corrections and clarifications, contact Reader Editor Brent Jones . For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more . Bobby Cox Commands Respect and Wins to the End - The New York Times The New York Times Baseball |Cox Earns Respect (and Wins) to the End Search Continue reading the main story Photo Bobby Cox is about to end his career as a manager after 29 seasons, even if his Braves, who lead the wild-card race, do return to the postseason. Credit Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images PHILADELPHIA Derek Lowe has played for eight managers in 14 seasons in the major leagues, and none of them, he said, has loved the ballpark as much as Bobby Cox.

Whenever the Atlanta Braves play a night game on the road, Lowe said, Cox will meet with his coaches in the hotel lobby at 11:30 a.m., eager to start another day at the field. “Even day games,” Lowe said, “they’re out at the park by 8 o’clock in the morning.” For Cox, 69, those days are running out. He will retire at the end of the season, his 29th as a major league manager. As usual on Tuesday, for career game No. 4,498 , he reported early to Citizens Bank Park. But it took a while to settle into the clubhouse. The Philadelphia Phillies ’ top executives held a private lunch for Cox and his wife at the ballpark, presenting Cox with a painting they commissioned. They also plan to acknowledge him on the field Wednesday before the series finale. “Personally, I haven’t even thought about it,” Cox said, referring to the totality of his career. “I just focus on the season, that’s all. I mean, it’s hard not to think about it when they give you little honors at each park, that type of thing, your last trip in.

But the focus is on the team.” Pat Gillick, the Phillies’ senior adviser and former general manager, was among the officials at the lunch. On his morning walk Tuesday, Gillick said, he thought a lot about Cox, whom he has known for more than 40 years. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Words like generous and thoughtful, compassionate and competitive crossed his mind, Gillick said. But the one he kept coming back to, the one he emphasized at the lunch for Cox, was respectful. “Everybody at this level is going to miss him,” Gillick said. “But the guys that are really going to miss him are the groundskeepers and the clubhouse guys, the support people. Because he is so respectful of everyone, of the little guys, the guys you don’t hear about. He treats those people with respect.” Gillick was the first general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, who finished last for their first five seasons. In 1982, sensing that his team was ready to move up in the standings, Gillick hired Cox as the manager. In his first four seasons, the Blue Jays improved from sixth place to fourth to second to first.

Gillick had known Cox since the early 1970s, when Cox managed a winter league team in Venezuela and Gillick scouted there for the Houston Astros. Gillick, as is his style, peppered Cox with questions, and Cox impressed him with his drive and passion. The Braves hired Cox first, from 1978 through 1981, and they hired him again as the general manager in 1986. Cox helped revive a moribund farm system, took over as the manager in 1990 and the next year began a record streak of 14 consecutive division titles. Photo “He makes all the difference in the world to players who come in here,” hitting coach Terry Pendleton said of Braves manager Bobby Cox. Credit Ray Stubblebine/Reuters “He makes all the difference in the world to players who come in here,” the hitting coach Terry Pendleton said. “You’ll go through times where you can’t find the plate or you can’t hit the ball out of the infield. Bobby Cox makes you feel as if you’re the most important player on the ball club.” Pendleton was a good player, but never an All-Star, for St.

Louis before signing with the Braves before the 1991 season. Immediately, he won the National League Most Valuable Player award and led the Braves to the World Series. There have been many other stories of players who had their best seasons for Cox, who never criticizes them in public and vigorously defends them in arguments with umpires. (He has been ejected a record 158 times, nearly a full season’s worth of games.) Cox’s peers admire his almost singular ability to unlock a player’s potential. Advertisement Continue reading the main story “Whoever goes there does well, you know what I mean?” Cincinnati Reds Manager Dusty Baker said. “The guys who came through there didn’t always stay very long, but they performed when they were there.” Ozzie Guillen, the Chicago White Sox’ manager, said that was the essence of a manager’s job. Cox accomplishes that better than anyone, Guillen said, giving respect and getting effort in return. “You want to pick five people to represent baseball the right way, Bobby’s got to be in the top five,” said Guillen, who played for the Braves’ last pennant winner, in 1999.

“He has to be, because of the respect for his players and for baseball, period. In baseball, when you have success, people hate you for some reason. And Bobby has success all his career, and people love him. That’s not easy to do.” Cox, whose team led the N.L. wild-card race by two games before a 5-3 loss to the Phillies on Tuesday night, said he would keep working for the Braves next season, but without a schedule. He has mentioned his retirement to the team only once, at the start of spring training. Even then, Lowe said, Cox seemed a bit embarrassed, mainly thanking people for what they had done for him. There was no command to send him out a winner, though the Braves seem determined to do that. “This is the hardest-working team that I’ve ever had,” Cox said. “Just the way they go about their business in the weight room, training and practice on the field. It’s been nonstop.” Alas, the Braves’ performance has done nothing to change Cox’s mind. He will not stay around another season. “No, no,” Cox said, smiling.

“I want to second-guess the writers when I retire.” A version of this article appears in print on September 22, 2010, on Page B17 of the New York edition with the headline: Cox Earns Respect (And Wins) to the End. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox announces retirement after 2010 season | NJ.com Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox announces retirement after 2010 season comments Kathy Willens/Associated PressBraves manager Bobby Cox announced Wednesday he will manage the Braves one more season and then retire after 2010. The Atlanta Braves wanted Bobby Cox to come back, and the veteran skipper wanted to come back. But at the same time, Cox understood he had to stop managing sometime. So Cox and the Braves announced Wednesday that they have reached agreement on a contract extension for one more year, and that Cox will retire following the 2010 season.

"That’s the only way, I think, that I’m every going to walk away from the game, is to go ahead and say I’m going to, and then I’ve got to,'' Cox said before his team took on the Mets in the final game of a three-game series. "There’s turning back now, win, lose, or draw. Whatever happens next year is going to be it.'' Cox, 68, said for the last few years he has been deciding on a year-to-year basis whether to return. One of the key things that made him okay with finally deciding to quit managing is that the Braves will keep him in the organization in an advisory position, and he will get to spend time with the organizations minor league teams, all of which are near Atlanta. "I’m a lifetime baseball guy and it doesn’t matter if I’m watching a minor league game or a major league game. It’s all baseball. It’s always fun, so I’m grateful they’re allowing me to do that,'' he said. "I’m almost 70 years old.

I’m going to manage at 69 next year – I’ve got to come to terms with that sometime – it’s time for somebody else to come in.'' Mets manager Jerry Manuel, when told Cox was leaving, joked that "I’m from Georgia. So I might be headed there next year'' and then turned serious in calling Cox "an icon'' in the managing profession. "He’s quite an icon in the sport in what managers look to try to attain that level of status that he has,'' Manuel said of Cox. "I think that’s unfortunate for the Braves; probably fortunate for everybody else in the division.'' Don't Miss: Mets photos! Mets game photos and more ... View all» Mets Update Bobby Cox | Atlanta Braves LIMITED EDITION COMMEMORATIVE BOBBY COX PROGRAM Bobby Cox retired following the 2010 baseball season. Get your piece of Braves history with a limited edition commemorative program to honor Bobby. This is a great keepsake for any Braves fan, and a great tribute to the skipper who has been such an integral part of the team for the last 24 years.

Learn more » Braves' Cox to call it quits after '10 - NY Daily News Braves manager Bobby Cox to retire after 2010 season Braves' Cox to call it quits after '10 DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 10:55 PM Bobby Cox 's run as Braves manager will end after the 2010 season. The announcement came before Wednesday's series finale against the Mets. Under the 68-year-old Cox, the Braves won the 1995 World Series and 14 straight division titles. Atlanta 's 5-2 win last night was 2,409th regular-season victory during two tours with the Braves as well as four seasons with Toronto . That's fourth on the all-time list, behind Connie Mack (3,731), John McGraw (2,763) and Tony La Russa (2,550). He plans to remain with the team as a consultant. "If I weren't announcing this right now, I'd be wanting to manage again somewhere," Cox said. "But it's time to go ahead and say it.

I don't think I'd ever give up the idea of managing unless I could say, 'That's it.' And what I'm saying is that it's it. "I don't want to announce my retirement and have a day here and a day there. This gives me a chance to say goodbye to the writers, the clubhouse guys, the grounds crew guys that I've known forever, who have given us time on the field when they didn't have to with early workouts. Guys you meet in the game over 50 years are pretty precious." WELCOME: Brian Stokes ' wife Sarianna gave birth to the couple's first child at 1:22 p.m. yesterday in St. Petersburg , Fla. Brody Alexander Stokes weighed 7 pounds, 13.8 ounces. The reliever plans to rejoin the Mets tomorrow in Miami . CLEARED: Jon Niese , who tore his right hamstring tendon and underwent surgery in early August, was cleared to begin rehabilitation exercises during a visit with team doctors Wednesday.

Braves manager Bobby Cox walks-off into retirement - USATODAY.com Braves manager Bobby Cox walks-off into retirement Updated Enlarge By Dave Martin, AP Braves manager Bobby Cox waves to fans after a 3-2 loss to the Giants in Game 4. After a half-century in baseball, most of it in uniform, Cox retires. IN 'THE DAILY PITCH' COMMUNITY ATLANTA (AP)  Bobby Cox 's first moments in retirement were no different than his 29 years as a major league manager. As always, his team came first. "I'm proud of this team," an emotional Cox said after the end of the Braves ' season and his half-century in baseball, most of it in uniform. "I told them that a little while ago," Cox said, struggling to speak in his final news conference as the Atlanta manager. "They played their hearts out and I'll miss them." With those words, Cox looked down. When he looked up again, there were tears in his eyes. The San Francisco Giants tipped their caps to Cox after sending him into retirement by beating the Braves in the best-of-five NL division series.

As the Giants celebrated on the field after their 3-2 win in Game 4, Braves fans chanted "Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!" The Braves watched from the edge of the dugout as Cox came out and tipped his cap to the fans. The Giants momentarily stopped their brief celebration, faced the Braves' dugout and tipped their caps to Cox. "I saw them, and I gave them a thumbs-up, too," Cox said. "... That was nice, a nice gesture by the Giants. I love (manager Bruce) Bochy. He's one of the best guys in baseball. If we couldn't win, I'm glad he did." Fans cheered and applauded right after the game as a tribute to Cox was played on the video board. Then, minutes later, Cox and his players left an empty dugout. The toughest part of a difficult night may have been Cox's postgame talk to his players behind closed doors. "He came in for a minute and walked out," catcher Brian McCann (FSY) said. "He let us know that he appreciated that we played hard every single day. We just wish we were still playing.

We played as hard as we could." McCann called the clubhouse scene with Cox "sad, definitely sad." "I'm gonna miss him. He's an amazing manager, an amazing person. We're all going to miss him around here," McCann said. Cox came back in the clubhouse later, hugged pitcher Derek Lowe (FSY) and then, obviously struggling with his emotions, left again. Chipper Jones (FSY) , who has been with Cox the longest of any current player, said he's never seen Cox so emotional. "It's still hard to believe he's not going to be the manager come spring training," Jones said. Rookie Jason Heyward (FSY) said he was grateful for his one season with Cox. Asked if Cox set the bar high for future Braves managers, Heyward said "He sets the bar for any person I'll come across." Cox is retiring after 29 seasons as a major league manager, 25 with the Braves and four with Toronto. He managed 16 teams to the postseason. Cox wasn't the only longtime manager to retire this year. Three of his longtime rivals — Joe Torre , Cito Gaston and Lou Piniella — also retired.

Cox finished with 2,504 regular-season wins, fourth all-time behind Connie Mack , John McGraw and Tony La Russa . He had 158 regular-season ejections, the most among managers. He led the Braves to a record 14 straight division championships, five NL championships and the 1995 World Series . This was his first wild-card team. Cox struggled to make plans for his first day in retirement. "I don't know, I'm going to try to come out here," he said. "I'm not sure yet." After more than 50 years in baseball as a player, coach, manager and general manager, Cox can look ahead to a consultant's role with the team. He says his role will be minor and will include visits with the organization's minor league players. Cox says he's looking forward to more time with his family, but many wonder how he'll fare away from daily contact with the game. Baseball has been his life, and many close to him believed he would never walk away from the game. He was a teenage infielder the first time he put on a pro uniform, back in the old Class C league.

That was before there were domes, a designated hitter or even a Dodger Stadium. Several years later, he was in the New York Yankees starting lineup on the day Mickey Mantle played his final game. As the Braves turn to their search to hire Cox's replacement, he can turn his thoughts to plans for two cruises — one bought by his wife, Pam, and one by his players. Pam prepaid for a cruise for the couple next April, perhaps as insurance against Cox changing his mind. The players gave the 69-year-old Cox one final postseason as another going away present, ending a streak of four straight years out of the playoffs. Injuries to Jones, Martin Prado (FSY) , Jair Jurrjens (FSY) , Kris Medlen (FSY) and others left the team unable to match the Giants. There were tributes to Cox across the NL this season, and a big celebration at home for the end of the regular season. There was a big No. 6 cut into the centerfield grass for the final series of the season against the Phillies , but that was removed for the postseason. Baseball came first, just as Cox wanted. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

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Question: Bobby Cox was manager of which US professional baseball team before his retirement in 2010?
Answer: Atlanta Braves