[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 20, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO BOBBY COX

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, as a lifelong Atlanta Braves 
fan, I am always delighted when my team comes to town. They visit 
Washington next month, and as always, the Braves' incredible manager, 
my dear friend Bobby Cox, will be at the helm. But this year, the joy 
is bittersweet. After 50 years in baseball, Bobby Cox will retire at 
the end of this season.
  I am an enormous and longtime fan of Bobby Cox, for so many reasons. 
He is so good and easy with people, and he takes them for who they are. 
And in the case of baseball players, he takes them for what they have, 
and allows them to achieve incredible things with it: I have never 
heard a manager encouraging his hitters at the plate between every 
single pitch as Bobby does with such tremendous enthusiasm.
  He is one of only a handful to spend at least 20 straight seasons 
managing the same team. And I always knew, without a doubt, that Bobby 
always had the team ready to play its best. His record makes that much 
abundantly clear--he guided Atlanta to 14 consecutive postseason 
appearances and of course, to a World Series title in 1995.
  Unlike so many other heroes in baseball, Bobby is very approachable, 
so good at putting people at ease. I remember visiting with him, and in 
minutes we were discussing ``Dirt'' Lemke who he really admired and 
respected as a second baseman because he was so scrappy.
  That is why Bobby is an icon. He brings out the best in his players 
and exemplifies what the sport of baseball is supposed to be about--
hustle, grit, loyalty and determination. It is why he is one of the 
winningest managers in Major League history, and it is why the Braves 
are what they are today.
  So I say to Bobby: I'll still be a Braves fan after you retire, but 
it just won't be the same without number six in the dugout.
  It is no wonder players love to play for Bobby. It is no wonder his 
fans feel like they are part of the team. I am honored to call Bobby my 
friend and, I am grateful that he has led me to continue cherishing--
and needing--baseball the way I do.
  Bobby, congratulations on your well-deserved retirement. It is your 
kind of integrity and stature that brings the game great pride.
 Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Bobby Cox, 
who is a great Georgian, a great American, and a great friend, in the 
Record of the Senate. After 25 remarkable years as the manager of the 
Atlanta Braves, Bobby will retire at the end of the 2010 season.
  Bobby began his career by spending five years in the Dodgers' farm 
system before being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the November 1964 
Minor League draft. He was acquired by the Braves in 1966 and spent 
1967 playing for Triple-A Richmond. Bobby was traded to the New York 
Yankees where he played third base in 1968 and 1969. He retired as a 
player at the age of 30, and it was the coaching career that followed 
that would make him a baseball legend.
  Bobby returned to manage the Braves from 1978 to 1981. Although he 
left Atlanta in 1982 to lead the Toronto Blue Jays, it seems he 
couldn't quite get our fair city out of his system. After leading the 
Blue Jays to the American League East crown with a 99-62 finish in 
1985, Bobby was named Major League Manager of the Year by the Baseball 
Writers Association of America, the Associated Press and the Sporting 
News. He returned to the Braves as general manager in October 1985 and 
oversaw a farm system that produced some of the greatest players in 
Braves history and laid the foundation for the success that was to 
come.
  In 1990, Bobby decided to return to the dugout as manager of the 
Braves, and I'm sure glad he did. While the Braves finished in last 
place in 1990, Bobby turned it around with a first place finish in 
1991. I still remember that epic World Series battle against the 
Minnesota Twins as if it were yesterday. While the Braves fell short in 
the World Series, 1991 was just the beginning of an epic run that 
included 14 straight division titles.
  During his illustrious career on the bench, Bobby has been named 
Manager of the Year four times. He led the Braves to a World Series 
title in 1995, defeating the Cleveland Indians four games to two. On 
June 8, 2009, Bobby won his 2,000th victory with the Braves. He's only 
the fourth skipper in major-league history to claim 2,000 wins with one 
team. His fiery spirit has also allowed him to capture another title. 
Bobby holds the all-time record for most ejections.
  It gives me a great deal of pleasure and it is a privilege to 
recognize Bobby Cox for his contributions to America's favorite pastime 
and America's team, the Atlanta Braves. Although he plans on advising 
the team in baseball operations after he steps down as manager, Bobby 
will be sorely missed on the bench and will remain in the hearts of 
Atlanta Braves fans forever.

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