Another loss of a Braves legend in the span of a week.
Bobby Cox, the Hall of Fame manager who built the Atlanta Braves' greatest dynasty, has died at the age of 84.
The team announced his passing on Saturday, just three days after former Braves owner Ted Turner died, capping one of the most painful weeks in Atlanta sports history.
The Braves released a statement calling Cox "our treasured skipper" and "the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform," pointing to his 14 straight division titles, five NL pennants and the 1995 World Series title as a legacy that "will never be matched."
What He Built in Atlanta
Cox first managed the Braves from 1978 to 1981 before being let go, then returned as general manager in 1986 and eventually moved back into the dugout during the 1990 season.
What followed was something not a lot of people saw coming.
The Braves finished last in the NL West in 1990, won the division in 1991 and then kept winning it every year through 2005, excluding only the strike-shortened 1994 season.
Over that stretch, he guided Atlanta to five World Series appearances and delivered the city its first major pro sports championship with a six-game win over the Cleveland Indians in 1995.
His career record of 2,504 wins sits fourth all-time in MLB history, with 2,149 of those coming with Atlanta.
A Players' Manager
The Braves described Cox as "a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him."
He had a gift for developing talent and running a clubhouse, helping shape rosters that featured Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Chipper Jones during Atlanta's dominant run.
That body of work earned him a Hall of Fame nod in 2014.
He also won Manager of the Year four times and holds the all-time record with 162 career ejections, which may never be topped.
If nothing else, that number alone shows how hard he fought for his guys.
A Tough Week for the Franchise
Losing Cox so soon after Turner has hit the organization hard, especially during a season where the team has played just how he would have wanted.
Atlanta enters Saturday at 26-13 under first-year manager Walt Weiss, sitting atop the NL East and well ahead of expectations after missing the postseason in 2025.
The team closed its statement by sending condolences to Cox's wife Pam, their children and grandchildren, noting that while his passion for the game was unmatched, "his love of baseball was exceeded only by his love for his family."
Cox retired after the 2010 season, but his influence on this franchise still shows every time the Braves take the field.
What he built in Atlanta doesn't go away, and Saturday's loss will be felt well beyond Truist Park.