Bob Horner and I were destined to be teammates somewhere. I signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Arizona State before I was drafted. Bob played at ASU and ended up in Atlanta my first full year in the major leagues—1978. One way or another, it was bound to happen.
From the minute Bob Horner joined the Braves, all us players could see he was good. I mean… really good. And that swing—short and quick, x or and could turn around anybody’s fast ball. And Bob knew the strike zone. He just did not swing at a bad pitch (like I had a tendency to do a little too often…) He was a unique talent and I was very lucky to be in the lineup with him most of my career. All of my numbers were better when he was hitting behind me. And that fact is not lost on me. I know my career was better because of him.
It’s been a hard few weeks for the Braves Family losing Ted and Bobby—and now Bob. These 3 men all had such a profound impact on my career. I am forever grateful.
Nancy and I will miss Bob and our hearts go out to Chris and Trent and Tyler, along with their entire family.
The older we get, the more we cherish wonderful memories and this past month has brought a flood of them back to us. The gratitude we feel for them all has been overwhelming.
Rest well, my friend and teammate.
We were saddened to hear the news today of Bobby’s passing. So thankful for the chance to play for him. What can I say? He saved my career. Hung in there with me during my early days and made the decision to move me to the outfield. Changed my career/life forever. From Nancy and I, and the whole Murphy family—thank you, Bobby. Rest in peace. @Braves
We mourn the passing of Hall of Famer Bobby Cox, the fourth-winningest manager in MLB history.
Cox led the Atlanta Braves to unprecedented success, winning 14 straight division titles from 1991-2005, along with 5 NL pennants and the 1995 World Series championship.
The four-time Manager of the Year won 2,401 games overall, behind only Connie Mack, Tony La Russa, and John McGraw. Of the 13 managers with at least 2,000 career wins, only one (Joe McCarthy) got there in fewer games than Cox.
Cox managed the Braves for 25 seasons in all, leading them to six 100-win seasons and eight 90-win seasons. He also managed the Blue Jays for four years, including the franchise’s first winning record in 1983 and first division title in 1985.
As General Manager of the Braves from 1986-90, Cox laid the foundation for the teams he would manage to success over the next two decades by trading for one future Hall of Famer in John Smoltz, drafting another in Chipper Jones, and helping develop homegrown legend Tom Glavine.
Owner of a .556 winning percentage in 29 total seasons as manager, Cox was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014.
He was 84 years old.
Haven’t posted on social in quite some time but can’t stay quiet in this time of loss. I’m struggling to tell all what Bobby Cox meant to me and so many others in Braves Country.
He was the leader of men and a second father to so many Atlanta Braves thru the yrs. I’m so sad today, but as I sit here watching my two youngest boys play in their championship games on the day he passed, I can’t help but shout the same things he did from the corner of the dugout. ‘Come on kid, u got this!’
We are gonna miss him so much, but his legacy is forever cemented with the success of this franchise for the last 35+ yrs. He started it as GM, continued as manager, and passing the torch to others, the Atlanta Braves will continue to be force that Bobby Cox always wanted us to be. We love you Skipper. You were our rock. I love you more than words can express.
My boys won both of their games…..Bobby had a hand, I have no doubt!
Bobby Cox sent Leo Mazzone to the mound so he could tell Greg Maddux to walk Luis Gonzalez. Mad Dog refused to do it, and told Leo give him two pitches and he'll make Luis pop up to 3rd base. Two pitches later, a pop up to Chipper Jones at 3rd base 🤯
In the span of one week, Atlanta lost two giants. Ted Turner helped put this city on the global map, and Bobby Cox helped give it one of the greatest baseball dynasties ever seen.
Two icons who helped shape Atlanta’s identity, culture and sports history forever.
Legendary baseball manager Bobby Cox passed away at the age of 84.
Cox won 2,504 games, guided Atlanta to 14 straight division titles, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.