Loading ...Bobby Cox Coaching Elsewhere in 2011??
Written by Colin on June 6, 2010 – 10:45 amIn a new SI.com video on the Braves’ Resurgence, Tom Verducci was asked if Bobby Cox would stay in Atlanta coaching if the Braves won the NL East. Verducci said no, that Bobby was done for sure with Atlanta but might be coaching somewhere else – used the term “has a lot a baseball left in him.” The interviewer then said “It sure would be weird to see Bobby in a jersey not belonging to Atlanta.”
What the f***, SI?!?
Let me help you out, SI. The Braves are resurgent, yes. Yes, it is due to Prado/Heyward at the top of the lineup. Good job on calling the obvious. But Bobby Cox elsewhere in 2011?!?!?! You should go into the business of smelling what you’re smoking, because other teams would LOVE to buy some.
Bobby will have none of it. He will retire from coaching in 2011. Bobby already set expectations with the wife and he’s smart enough not to break that promise. What I CAN see him doing is farm system development, scouting, or some sort of back office work. Bobby is not only not new to this, he’s damn good at it. You have to remember: he was GM of the Braves before he was manager, putting together the farm system that has been absolutely clutch throughout the years and has produced Chipper, Andruw, Furcal, Giles, McCann, LaRoche, Marquis, Javy Lopez, and some dude by the name of Smoltz, if you’re familiar with him. Bobby will undoubtedly have a role in player development or some gig where he gets to go do whatever he wants. Player development is what Bobby’s really good at.
The ONLY coaching position I could possibly see him taking in 2011 (and yes, I do see him fulfilling his commitment to his wife and retiring) is coaching a Braves farm club. For Bobby it’s not about the money, it’s about doing what he loves in with people he loves. Bobby isn’t Tom Glavine – another team can’t steal his loyalty with a few $$$ thrown around. The Braves are Bobby’s organization from the ground up. Always have been.
And damnit, despite some of the strategic moves he makes being completely different than what I’d do, I’m going to miss the hell out of him.
Tags: Bobby Cox, Braves Resurgence, Sports Illustrated, Tom Verducci
Posted in General | 7 Comments »
By gtmurff on Jun 6, 2010 | Reply
This sounds like some crackpot SI writer trying to get pageviews by writing something controversial. Disregard it and move along.
By Scotty on Jun 7, 2010 | Reply
Great post! You tell 'em. From what I hear Bobby is signed to work with the coaches and players in the Braves minor league system for the next 5 years. Please join and post on our Bobby Cox page that follows his final season; it's called "Thanks Bobby!"
Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thanks-Bobby/114355…
By josh on Jun 7, 2010 | Reply
Cox being the manager of another team next year is about as likely as Wooden coaching UCLA this season.
By josh on Jun 9, 2010 | Reply
Foxsportssouth.com online guy says that the rumor is Torre is really interested in the Braves job next year. He apparently is not happy with the drama of the divorce with LA owners. Freddie Garcia is still the front runner he reports.
By Guest on Jun 9, 2010 | Reply
Get your facts straight, Smoltz arrived in a trade from Detroit, it was Glavine who came up through the farm system.
By Colin Ake on Jun 10, 2010 | Reply
Bobby pulled the trigger on the trade. Should have probably included that in another sentence, but I didn't mean to imply he came up through the farm system. And Glavine came up through the farm system but was drafted before Bobby was GM.
By Colin Ake on Jun 10, 2010 | Reply
Interesting. Torre could be an interesting fit… But I'd still like to see Freddie Gonzalez here.
Maybe Torre could be a one year bridge between now and Freddie.