On Saturday, former MLB manager Bobby Cox passed away at 84 years old. Cox retired in 2010 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
The two-time World Series champion served as manager of the Atlanta Braves (from 1978-1981 and 1990-2010) and Toronto Blue Jays (1982-1985), and he coached the New York Yankees in 1977. During his second stint with the Braves, he managed Deion Sanders, who paid tribute to Cox after learning of his tragic passing.
Deion Sanders Sends Love to Bobby Cox and His Family After Braves Manager’s Passing
Long before he was the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, Sanders was a two-sport superstar who played in both the NFL and MLB.
Sanders played for the Braves from 1991 to 1994, while also suiting up for the Atlanta Falcons on Sundays. He played his best baseball under Cox, even advancing to the World Series with the Braves in 1992 and becoming the first athlete to play in both the Super Bowl and World Series.
After he learned of Cox’s passing, Sanders took to X to express his sadness.
“A Good man, a good manager, a more than fair person, a leader and I respected the heck out of him. God bless the family, friends & loved ones of Bobby Cox. A legend,” Sanders said.
Cox had a legendary career in baseball, as Sanders mentioned. He was a two-time World Series champion (1977, 1995), a four-time Manager of the Year (1985, 1991, 2004, 2005), and he was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame. His No. 6 is also retired by the franchise. Cox totaled 2,504 wins throughout his career, the fourth-most all-time.
Cox dealt with a number of health issues in recent years. In 2019, he suffered a major stroke that led to complications, including congestive heart failure.
“We are overcome with emotion on the passing of Bobby Cox, our treasured skipper,” the Braves said in a statement. “Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched.
“Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sport’s ultimate prize in 2014 – enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“And while Bobby’s passion for the game was unparalleled, his love of baseball was exceeded only by his love for his family. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our sincerest condolences to his beloved wife, Pam, and their loving children and grandchildren.”
