BONUS: Atlanta Braves #A50: Throwback Thursday on Tuesday – Skippers
What’s an Atlanta Braves franchise All-Time player list without a manager?
Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Famer
Bobby Coxwaves to the crowd after being introduced during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
It occurred to me not too long ago, that if you’re going to produce a list of Atlanta’s most notable players, then maybe there should be a list of notable managers.
Enter the Skippers.
If you’ve been following Tomahawk Take throughout the season, you may remember the #A50 articles we’ve done celebrating the history of 50 years in Atlanta for the Braves. We’ve covered every position on the field.
However, I realized that these retrospects would be incomplete without a honoring of the men who have led all those players through the years.
This will be a much more shorter list, obviously. Since the Braves have been in Atlanta, the turnover has been slim. Thanks to the first man on our list, who occupied the post for exactly half the time the Braves have been in Atlanta …
Next: The One, The Only ...
Jul 26, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Bobby Cox display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox sat in the dugouts of Fulton-County Stadium and Turner Field for 25 years. His initial stint lasted from 1978-1981.
After a four year stop in Toronto, Cox came back to Atlanta as the GM in 1986. In 1990, He was back in uniform doing what he loved. Falling to a 6th place finish in the NL West, though was not how Cox envisioned his return to the dugout.
In 1991, everything changed … and it was glorious!
Cox’s second go-round lasted from 1990-2010. Cox led the Braves to 14 consecutive division titles that encompassed the old NL West and the NL East that we know today. He brought home five National League Pennants and the World Series in 1995.
In that span, he won NL Manager of the Year three times. He won it in 1991, 2004, and 2005 (The year of the Baby Braves). He also managed in five All Star Games (1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 2000).
It’s no question Cox is by far and away the best manager the Atlanta Braves have ever had. It was validated by his 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame induction (which I was there to see).
If I were on the field, I’d want the manager sticking up for me. Sometimes players are dead wrong, ranting and raving, but you stick up for them. They appreciate that. – Bobby Cox
Cox holds many records in Atlanta. One of those may not be the most prideful of records; most ejections. Bobby was loved by his players for many reasons. None more than him ALWAYS having his players’ back. His 158 ejections are a Major League record, breaking the mark set by Jon McGraw. Cox blew right past him.
Cox wrapped up his career with a 2504-2001 W/L record. Of those 2504 wins, 2149 were recorded in Atlanta.
Next: This Guy is Also a 2014 HOFer
Dec 9, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA;
Joe Torrespeaks after being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame during the MLB Winter Meetings at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Torre was voted in unanimously with former managers
Tony La Russaand Bobby Cox. Mandatory Credit:
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Torre
Joe Torre only spent 3 seasons in Atlanta. From 1982-1984, finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. He led the Braves to the division title in ’82, but failed to go any further in the postseason after falling victim to a sweep in the first series.
Torre, obviously is better known for his days in pinstripes, but his time in Atlanta was important to his career, though he started in the Mets dugout.
Of his three season in Atlanta, he only had one losing season, and even that was just two games under .500 (80-82); good enough for 3rd in the division.
He ended his storied career as manager with over 2,000 wins (2,326), with 257 coming the Braves skipper. It’s not everyday a city can lay claim to two Hall of Fame Managers. The irony being that Torre actually played for the Braves in both Milwaukee and Atlanta. Cox never did, he only played for 2 seasons, both with the Yankees.
However, a neat little twist … Cox is a Hall of Fame manager for the Braves (beginning his playing career as a Yankee), while Torre is a Hall of Fame manager for the Yankees (beginning his playing career as a Brave).
Next: Year One, Two Managers
Jul 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; A baseball is shown on the infield during batting practice before the game against the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Bobby Bragan/Billy Hitchcock
Bobby Bragan ushered in Atlanta as the first manager for the Braves in their new home. His time was short-lived. Stumbling to a 52-59 record.
While with Milwaukee (3 seasons), he was actually decent. He was a winning manager in Milwaukee. Apparently, the move south must have been too strenuous.
He was replaced by Billy Hitchcock, who finished the season with a 33-18 record. He began as the manager in 1967 and almost made it to the end of the season. He was let go after game 159 closing out his time in Atlanta.
Definitely not the most auspicious beginnings for the Braves, but hey, you have to start some where, right?
Next: Love Him or Hate Him ...
May 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager
Fredi Gonzalez(33) takes photos with fans after bating practice before their game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Fredi Gonzalez
At the end of this season, Fredi Gonzalez will be in a tie for second in most years managing the Atlanta Braves. Gonzalez will have 5 seasons at the helm for the Braves [tied with Lum Harris (1968-1972)].
Gonzalez has not been a popular man lately in the ATL. We all know the record this year. However, even with the season he has had, he is still the owner of .523 winning percentage (418-381) while in Atlanta.
I sometimes think people forget that two years after Cox’s retirement, he managed the Braves to the 2013 NL East title (96 wins). 2012, the Wild Card game … AKA the “Outfield Fly Rule” game. Before this season, he had never had a Braves team finish lower than 2nd place. Yes, even last year’s 79-83, was still good for 2nd in the NL East.
I am by no means advocating for Gonzalez’s job here. However, there are far more managers less capable than him at the helm. It would be hard for anyone to win with the team assembled this year.
Fredi has had some great moments, not so great moments, and some serious head scratching moments. But I don’t think you can pin this year’s struggles solely on him.
Next: Heading for Home
Aug 29, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; A general view as the sun sets during a game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
And there you have it.
When you have a guy like Bobby Cox spending half of the 50 years in the dugout, it makes it a little difficult to find folks to talk about.
Yes, there were more, but those guys didn’t have nearly the resumes that the others had. Had this been a list of franchise skippers (Boston and Milwaukee), then you would have seen names like Casey Stengel, King Kelly, Rogers Hornsby, and Eddie Mathews, just to name a few.
Now that I think about it, maybe an All-Time franchise list would be a fun, yet time consuming exploration.
Ah well, maybe next year.
We hope you enjoyed this bonus #A50 of Atlanta mangers, as well as our previous recounts of Braves over the last five decades.
Keep on Chopping Braves Country!