Thanks, Bobby

A whole generation of baseball fans has grown up knowing of nothing but winning when it comes to the Atlanta Braves, not having lived through those many lean years that ended in 1991 when the team, under the leadership of manager Bobby Cox, played in its first World Series. Sure there's more to a baseball than its manager, but you have to wonder... what if?<br /> <br /> A Facebook friend of mine was lamenting Monday night after the Braves had been eliminated from this year's playings about how the Braves play so well each season and get to October, only to disappoint us.<br /> <br /> She is one of those who did not live through those lean B.B. (Before Bobby) years. Those of who did, relish the past 19 years, even with the disappointing Octobers. <br /> <br /> No more losing 94, 93, 101, 92, 97 games a season and only 2,000 or 3,000 people rattling around the stadium during some games... the team usually technically eliminated from the playoffs by the end of May.<br /> <br /> How much Bobby Cox played in the success of the Braves over the past 19 years probably can't be accurately measured. John Schuerholz, the genius general manager who arrived in 1990 (replacing Cox who was GM from 1986-1990), has to get credit for a lot of what happened, giving Bobby the players he needed to make the pitches, get the hits, get the outs... win the games. <br /> <br /> But, in the end, they were Bobby's teams.<br /> <br /> I was among those who moaned "Not Bobby Cox again," when he decided to move from general manager to field manager in 1990. He had already had one stint as field manager, a less than glorious one: a won-loss record of 266-373 between 1978-1981. So, why bring him back?<br /> <br /> But this time the outcome was different, of course, and he and the Braves began a journey in 1991 (worst-to-first in one year) that made those losing years just a distant memory.<br /> <br /> So, Bobby, as you trade your uniform for street duds and an consultant's job with the Braves and look forward maybe an extra cup of coffee in the morning and setting your own schedule for the first time in 50 years, good luck and thanks for the ride.<br /> <br /> And, what if the Braves had not put him in uniform again? We'll never know and that's just as well. Just let me cherish the past 19 years of Braves baseball... and Bobby Cox.<br /> <br /> <I>(Ken Stanford is Newsroom Manager for WDUN NEWS TALK 550, WDUN NEWS TALK FM 102.9, and 1240 ESPN Radio.)<I>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/10/233047