March 2010 The PEOPLE News Page 27 Sports Swan Song for ?

by Jerry Keys 1982 and challenged the tenure, the Braves were al- a quality closer. Except for shot to make the play-offs. Dodgers for the pennant a ways known for their star- a short period in the 1990s, The NL East, which they year later. Cox was hired studded starting rotation, the Braves never had a owned for a decade now for the Chiefs in 1976, he by the in sending out the "Big 3" for “Yankee-type” includes two of the higher For a number of years we was promoted to the 1977 1982 and in his second year over a decade, Smoltz, offense. They won game spending organizations, the have always saw Bobby Yankees as their first base as guided the Jays Glavine, and (Greg) Mad- six of the 1995 World Se- and Cox as the face of the At- under manager Billy to their 1st winning season Cox in 2nd stint with Atlanta, 2007 . The lanta Braves. This past fall Martin. in team history (expansion Phillies have appeared in he signed a one-year con- Following the Yankees team in 1977). The Jays the last two , tract extension thru the World Series triumph, he played in the "then" power winning one and losing the 2010 season and promptly was hired by to division, the AL East. The other, and the Mets have announced 2010 would be skipper the Atlanta Jays posted an 89-73 mark only one playoff appear- his final year as the in '83 and still finished ance in their last five years face of the Braves. 4th. (due to two meltdowns dur- Most people under the Cox won his first pen- ing the stretch run, espe- age of 45 only remem- nant in 1985 and fate cially the 2007 collapse) ber Cox managing the played an unkind hand but have fielded very tal- Braves since to him. From 1969-84, ented teams with unlimited 1990. Older baseball the ALCS was the "best potential. Because I de- fans can recall when 3 of 5," but starting in cided to end my nearly 30 he skippered the 1985 it was expanded to year love affair with base- Braves from 1978- the "best 4 of 7." The ball last year, I am not as 1981. Cox has a back- Jays held a three games familiar with some players story most never to one lead after four and their projected outlook knew about. games before losing the for Cox’s last run at a title. He was signed out last three to the Kansas Pitching is always a ques- of high school by the City Royals. Any year tion mark for any team with previously, the ALCS a rash of injuries during the in 1959. He began his would have been con- season. The staff has an at- minor league career as cluded after four tractive mix of veterans and an infielder and made games. up-and-coming youngsters stops in the Dodger Cox returned to At- (similar to their early years organization at Reno, lanta in 1986 as the of their 14-year playoff Panama City, Salem, General Manager and run) but numerous question Great Falls and Albu- Cox as a player, 1968 began rebuilding the marks in the bullpen. Their querque. He was team through the middle relief is a major drafted by the Chicago Braves. His four years in draft. After five dismal sea- dux. Atlanta appeared in ries 1-0. If you scanned the question mark and no one Cubs in the November Atlanta were unsuccessful sons by the Braves, Cox eight straight NLCS under Braves roster from 2003- is sure Billy Wagner has 1964 minor league draft “on paper,” his best season fired in late Cox (and nine overall, the 05, you would be shocked fully recovered from his and spent time at Salt Lake was 1980 when the Braves June 1990 and replaced last in 2001) and five they even posted a .500 shortened 2009 season. City and Tacoma. He was posted an 81-80 mark. Al- him as manager. At the World Series. Cox was 5-4 record. The best team Cox Offensively Atlanta lacks traded to the Braves early though, he was noted for start of his return to the in NLCS, winning the first assembled that did not power in the 3-4-5 places in in the 1966 season and to converting a with bench, Atlanta had already four of five. He was an make it to the Series was the the batting order. Com- the fol- "throwing block-trouble amassed a core nucleus of abysmal 1-4 in 1998 squad. Aside from pared to the Phillies and lowing the 1967 season. He simply throwing the ball talent: , John World Series play. On pa- winning 106 games, the Mets line-up, the Braves made his major league de- back to the " to a Smoltz, , Ron per, Atlanta should have team was equipped with have several weaknesses. but the next season and was won at least three of those five starters with at least 16 Although, the same thing teammate of Mickey Man- Series but we all know wins, a 30-save closer, four was said about this team tle and Thurmon "on paper" is players with over 30 five years ago and they still Munson. After spending meaningless. Cox will be homers and several reserve won the NL East. If anyone two seasons in the "bigs," remembered for several players who would be can pull off a magic trick he returned to the minors in reasons. Obviously his starters for most other and make a swan song it 1970. He retired as a player longevity, lasting 20 years teams. They were derailed would be Bobby. In a po- in 1971. Cox was noted to with one team (the longest in the NLCS, not by the etic way it would be nice to have knee problems and it tenured manager after Cox staff ace Kevin Brown or see a return to Atlanta by kept him from retaining a is Tony LaRussa with the even their 2nd or 3rd Smoltz, and an un- position in the majors. He St. Louis Cardinals since starter, it was the #4 starter retirement of Glavine and began his managerial ca- 1996) and Cox is 4th on . He Smoltz for a last run. reer with the last team he the all-time wins list started two games and won Storybook endings do oc- played for, the Fort Laud- (behind only Connie each and finished the series cur from time to time, but I erdale Yankees. Cox man- Mack, John McGraw and with a 0.90 ERA. He was am not sure this one will. A aged West Haven the fol- Cox with Atlanta, 1978 LaRussa). Cox is the all- 9-7 for the 1998 season and wild-card entry is a long- lowing year and captured centerfielder (the player Gant and Dave Justice. time leader in being ejected his ERA hovered around shot but who knows? Cox the Eastern League cham- was ) and Following the key addi- from games. I will remem- 4.00 most of the season. In may have one more magic pionship. He coached the building the team through tions of , Otis ber Cox for getting the his two NLCS starts, he trick in his pocket. Either next four years for the Yan- the minor leagues. Nixon and Terry Pendle- most out of the least. The defeated Atlanta’s staff ace way it goes, thanks Bobby kees Triple-A affiliate, the Following his dismissal ton, Atlanta began a run of Braves were always gifted and co-ace, Maddux and for the memories and mak- Syracuse Chiefs. After after the 1981 season, At- 14 consecutive playoff ap- in starting pitching, but al- Glavine. Atlanta will enter ing it fun to watch the At- winning the Governors Cup lanta won the NL West in pearances. Under Cox's ways had difficulty having the 2010 season as a long- lanta Braves.