Behind The Box Score

News that has just come from Atlanta is saying that Braves’ manager Bobby Cox has signed a one year extension, keeping him in the dugout through next season. “While I have decided that 2010 will be my last season in the dugout, I want to make it clear that we will all be working as hard as ever to win another world championship,” the skipper of the Braves, a team that from 1991-2005 won 14 straight division titles, quite possibly the best run in the history of baseball when it comes to regular season dominance.

Cox, to some, leads the title of one of the best dynasties to only win one championship, that title in 1995 over the Indians. His legacy is classic, winning 2408 games over 28 seasons, 24 of those with the Braves, and 4 with the Blue Jays. In the time with Atlanta, he won NL Manager of the Year 3 times (1991, 2004, 2005), and had 100+ win seasons 6 times. He never truly accomplished postseason success, always faltering before reaching the ultimate goal, except for 1995.

I always liked Cox’s fiery personality, always having a word to say on a close call. He has been ejected from a game more times than any other manager in history, and keeping his players motivated for winning. He should be a lock for the Hall, even with only ring. The World Series is tougher and tougher to win every year, and his total amount of wins and consecutive division titles will get him into Cooperstown. “Bobby and I have been talking about this for some time,” Braves GM Frank Wren said. “We are very excited that Bobby, who is one of the best and most respected managers in the history of baseball, will again be managing our club in 2010.”