Yankees History: Some may have forgotten Bobby Cox's legendary career began in NY

On Saturday, May 9, the baseball world lost one of its most legendary figures. Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox passed away, and the news of his death was met with universal emotion across MLB from Cox's former players, fans, and the countless individuals whom Cox positively impacted.

Cox is most closely associated with the Atlanta Braves franchise, of course, as he led the Braves to 14 straight division titles and a World Series in 1995 on the way to becoming the fourth-winningest manager in the history of the sport.

But Cox has Yankees ties, too. He debuted as an MLB player with the Yanks and played for New York in 1968 and 1969, sharing the diamond with Mickey Mantle for a time. In all, Cox played 220 games in pinstripes (mostly at third base) and hit .225 with nine home runs and 58 RBI.

Bobby Cox played for and coached the Yankees before his legendary Braves tenure

Cox got his coaching/managing career started with the Yankees, as well. He managed in the Yankees' farm system from 1971-1976 before serving as first base coach for the Yankees (under manager Billy Martin) for their 1977 World Series win.

Cox became manager of the Braves in 1978, and the rest is history. Across two separate stints as Atlanta's skipper (1978-1981 and 1990-2010), Cox was named National League Manager of the Year four times, but it could have been more. The Braves were a perennial contender under his watch.

Cox's MLB-record 162 ejections is one of the most endearing features of his resumé, and certainly something that current Yankees skipper Aaron Boone appreciates. Cox's willingness to spar with umpires stemmed not from a disrespect for them but from a profound need to defend and protect his own players.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, who began his career playing for Cox in Atlanta, provided an emotional testimony of Cox's sparkling character on Saturday, revealing that Cox supported him, defended him, and believed in him on and off the field like no one else.

Bobby Cox's fingerprints are all over the Atlanta Braves' enduring success

Since Cox's retirement, the Braves have remained among MLB's most successful and dangerous teams, and an immeasurable part of that is due to Cox's legacy.

Brian Snitker's success as Atlanta's manager — which included a 2021 World Series title — owed much to Cox's leadership, as Snitker worked as a third base coach under the legendary manager for multiple years before he retired. Now, Atlanta's newfound success under first-year manager Walt Weiss can be linked to Weiss' relationship with Snitker. It's the Bobby Cox managing tree! A legend has passed on, but his legacy lives on.

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