Cox keeps Braves on winning track

AP Sports Writer
Published Sunday, July 27, 2003


Maybe it's time to recognize that guy in the cockpit -- er, dugout.

While the players may change, manager Bobby Cox is basically the same guy he was in 1991, when the Braves began their stunning run of 11 straight division titles.

No. 12 is a virtual certainty -- Atlanta headed into the weekend with the best record in the game and a commanding lead in the NL East, despite losing 18-game winners Tom Glavine and Kevin Millwood before the season.

Take a bow, Bobby.

"It's all him," slugger Gary Sheffield said. "People want to sit here and act like it's something different, but it's him. I'm the type of player that tries to be a manager myself in game situations and I find myself not being able to contradict anything he does."

That respect goes beyond decisions on the field.

"He makes you appreciate the game," four-time Cy Young winner Greg Maddux said. "He's very consistent with his attitude. And the players appreciate it and respect it. He makes the game easy to play. I've had managers in the past that made it hard to play. He makes it easy."

Cox runs an orderly clubhouse with only a handful of rules. Be on time. No cell phones or loud music.

He is especially reticent about criticizing his players, often drawing bemused reactions from the media when he offers up a defense for someone who didn't perform.

A pitcher gives up three homers? The ball was really carrying tonight, Cox will say. A hitter strikes out four times? That guy on the mound had the best stuff I've ever seen. A fielder makes a critical error? Boy, the ball took a wicked hop.

Don't assume that Cox's unwillingness to criticize is a sign of weakness. A few years ago, he took the unusual step of benching Andruw Jones in the middle of an inning because he didn't believe the star outfielder had hustled for a fly ball.

But that was a rare public censure, Jones got the message, and the two have gotten along fine ever since.

"He's one of the few managers I've ever been around that regardless how bad the situation may be, he'll always find something positive to say," reliever Roberto Hernandez said. "When we started off 4-8, I expected him to start throwing things around, ranting and raving, like other managers that I've been around.

"But that's not his nature. He always said, 'It'll turn around, just stick with it. Believe, and good things will happen.'"

Cox, who is closing in on 1,900 wins as a big league manager, hems and haws when anyone tries to steer the credit for the Braves' success in his direction.

"Well, we're hitting the ball right and we're pitching it right," he said. "It's easy when you've got good players."

But those players say Cox sets the tone with his never-say-die attitude. The Braves may be down by 10 runs in the final innings, but he's still grinding away in the dugout: complaining about an umpire's call, flashing signals, shouting encouragement to his players.

"He never quits," Maddux said. "Twenty-five guys on the bench have already given up, wondering what the spread is after the game. He's still trying to win. Guys see that."

This season might go down as one of Cox's better managing jobs. The Braves appeared ripe for an overthrow after Glavine signed with the New York Mets and Millwood was traded to Philadelphia in a cost-cutting move.

Instead, Atlanta kept right on winning, a tribute to the manager and his loyal staff. Pitching coach Leo Mazzone and bench coach Pat Corrales have been around for all 11 division titles.

Glenn Hubbard and Terry Pendleton played for Cox -- now they're coaching for him.

"He allows his players to play. He turns them loose," said Pendleton, the Braves' hitting coach. "He has confidence in his players' ability to get the job done, more so than any manager I've ever played for."

In this era of micromanagement -- where every win is a cause for celebration, every loss a course of great consternation -- Cox seems to realize better than most that baseball is a long, hard season.

"If you fail, it's not a big deal to him because he has the confidence that you can come back," Pendleton said. "He's got more patience than any manager I've ever seen, without a doubt. That's hands down."

While Cox has been criticized for his strategic moves, particularly in the postseason where a greater sense of urgency is required, his people skills are unquestioned.

His spring training routine is legendary for being casual. The Braves are one of the few teams that don't go through a coordinated stretching routine before games. Players are allowed to prepare at their own pace.

Cox's philosophy is simple: Do your job.

So far, it's been a winning formula.

"We'll go through a wall for that man," Hernandez said. "It's unbelievable."