I loved Bobby Cox.
So did every soul who ever met the man.
Those close to Cox knew this day was coming, and really were preparing since he suffered a massive stroke in 2019.
Still, when the news hit Saturday that he passed away at the age of 84, it still hit hard, bringing tears and memories
“He’s in a better place," said former Atlanta manager Brian Snitker, who visited Cox at least once a homestand when he managed, and told USA TODAY Sports he was the greatest influence in his baseball career. “I loved the man. Bobby had a way of making everybody feel as if they’re the most important person in the world.”
It was a sentiment shared among anyone that knew Cox, the Hall of Fame manager, who led Atlanta to 14 consecutive division titles, five pennants and a World Series championship during his 21-year career with Atlanta.
In the words of Hall of Fame GM John Schuerholz, who worked alongside Cox as the architect of their dynasty: “He’s the heart and soul of the Braves."
There may not have been more of a beloved manager in the history of the game than Cox. When his team struggled, or a player would struggle, they would feel awful, not for themselves, but knowing they let Cox down.
“Bobby is one of the best human beings any of us have ever met," former Atlanta catcher Brian McCann said. “He’s touched so many lives in here. … He’s an icon. He is the Atlanta Braves.”
Hall of Fame center fielder Andruw Jones, who once was yanked from a game after failing to hustle in his rookie season, said he owes his career to Cox where he became a 10-time Gold Glove outfielder who hit 434 home runs.
“To be honest with you, Bobby’s always been a second dad to me from the beginning of my career," Jones told USA TODAY Sports last summer. “He wanted you to do the right things and grow up the way he’d want. Obviously, we’re not perfect, but we wanted to carry ourselves the way he’d want on and off the field.
“I wouldn’t have been the player I became without Bobby Cox."
Really, Cox had an impact on virtually every single person who walked through the doors of the organization, with Bryan Duffy, who once worked as a team bat boy, recalling Saturday that Cox, “Made me feel as valued as any player."
“He was the best, the absolute best," Hall of Fame first baseman Fred McGriff told USA TODAY Sports. “Every player who played for Bobby, to this day, has never said a bad word about Bobby Cox.
“He wasn’t like these other managers in today’s game when everyone is trying to be nicey-nicey, and take care of players. There was no need for us to have a team captain to tell someone in the clubhouse to do something right. Bobby would do it himself.
“Even when I played on all of those great Braves teams, there were times Bobby would close the door, and just wear us out. But no one would know about it. You knew exactly how he felt without reading about it or hearing about it somewhere else."
If you played for Cox, you looked and acted like a professional, on and off the field. You didn’t wear shorts or have your shirt untucked during batting practice. You didn’t wear sunglasses that covered the “A" on your ballcap. When traveling, sports jackets, collared shirts and dress pants were required. There was no music in the clubhouse. If you wanted to listen to your own music, put on headsets. If you wanted to see your kids, they had to wait outside. The way Cox figured it, not everyone liked the same genre of music, so why irritate even one person? Not everyone had the best-behaved children, so why let someone’s kids run around annoying players or staff members?
“Bobby had very few rules," Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones said. “Just basically show up on time, wear the uniform correctly, and play your ass off."
Said Atlanta World Series hero David Justice: “He’s one of those guys that you just love and you respect. He was one of those lovable guys, man, that allowed you to go out there and play the game, and if you play hard, you’re going to be in his good graces. That’s why everybody wanted to play for Bobby Cox."
There were plenty of times in recent years that family and friends thought Cox wouldn’t make it through the night. There was congestive heart failure. There were bouts with pneumonia. There was COVID. There were blood clots.
“He’s the toughest, strongest guy I’ve ever been around,’’ Snitker said. “It’s amazing.’’
Cox, who had eight children and 23 grandchildren, made a surprise visit in 2024 to players and the staff, with the entire team surrounding him for a picture. He was in a wheelchair, and had trouble communicating, but acknowledged each player, while they fought back tears. He was last at Truist Park on Aug. 22, 2025, for the 30th anniversary celebration of the 1995 World Series team.
Snitker, former manager Fredi Gonzalez and former pitching coach Leo Mazzone were regular visitors to see Cox over the years, but it became more difficult. Cox’s right side was paralyzed, and he had more trouble communicating. He could understand everyone, and religiously watched their games, but his condition just slowly kept deteriorating.
“It’s just so tough," Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones told USA TODAY Sports last summer. “I went over to his house a couple of years ago, and he couldn’t talk. It was just awkward being there. I haven’t gone back since that day.
“It’s just that I want to remember Bobby the way he was, not the way he is now."
Cox may be gone now, but never, ever will be forgotten by those blessed to know him.
“Bobby is the most important person in franchise history, right there with Hank Aaron," Mazzone said. “The Braves aren’t who they are without Bobby Cox. He has meant everything to them.’’
And always will.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Bobby Cox die? Atlanta legend was MLB's most beloved manager
