Former Braves manager Bobby Cox listed on Hall of Fame Ballot
By Brad Rowland
Oct 4, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves former manager Bobby Cox (left) walks off the field with pitcher Tim Hudson after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch of game two of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Everyone in “Braves Country” has a certain level of affection (some more than others) for long-time manager Bobby Cox, and on Monday, it was announced that he will be up for consideration for the Hall of Fame in 2014.
As expected, #Braves icon Bobby Cox is among 12 finalists from "expansion era" to be considered for Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) November 4, 2013
The Tweet above from David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlights Cox’s inclusion on what many would recognize as the “veteran’s committee” ballot for the Hall of Fame. Greats like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine are up for the “normal” ballot in 2014 (and are almost assuredly going to be 1st-ballot choices), but Cox will need 75% of the vote from just the 16 members of the veteran’s committee to gain induction.
Here is the quote from Cox (also to the AJC):
"“Wow, that’s a great group. It’s something that you dream about, that’s for sure. You don’t think a lot about it, but it’s one of those situations where if it if happens, it happens, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. But I’m happy to be amongt that group, that’s for sure. I’m honored.”"
For me, Cox should be a no-brainer based on his credentials alone. In his 29 seasons as a manager between Toronto and Atlanta, Cox posted a .556 winning percentage (good for about 90 wins per season), and his teams won the NL Pennant 5 times in a 9-year stretch while earning that infamous 1995 World Series title that stands as the only professional sports championship in the history of Atlanta sports.
There are very few (if any) “runs” like the one Cox (and John Schuerholz) engineered throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s in Atlanta, and the fact that the 72-year-old Cox has the 4th-most victories in the history of baseball (2,504) should make him a cinch for induction.
It remains to be seen whether Bobby will get the nod in 2014, but he certainly deserves it.