Chipper Jones calls Bobby Cox 'second father' in emotional tribute after Hall of Fame manager's death
The death of Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox hit the baseball world hard this weekend, but no one summed up his impact better than longtime Braves star Chipper Jones.
Jones, who spent nearly his entire MLB career playing under Cox in Atlanta, shared a tribute to X after learning of the Hall of Fame captain's death at age 84.
“I cannot rest in this time of loss,” Jones wrote. “I find it difficult to convey all that Bobby Cox meant to me and to many others in Braves Country.”
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Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox and Chipper Jones sit in the dugout against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, on June 17, 2008. (Mark J. Rebilas/US PRESSWIRE)
Jones went on to call Cox “a leader of men and a second father to many Atlanta Braves [through the years].”
The two were linked for nearly all of Jones' baseball career. Cox selected Jones with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 MLB Draft and managed him from his debut in 1993 until the end of Cox's managerial career in 2010. Under Cox, the Braves became one of baseball's defining kings – winning 14 consecutive division titles, five National League Series pennants and the 1995 World Series.
Jones credited Cox for not only changing the Braves franchise, but for shaping his entire career.
“He's probably the number one reason I played for all the Braves,” Jones said. “He gave me a chance to play baseball by writing for me.”
Even in the midst of grief, Jones found himself hearing Cox's voice as he watched his sons play baseball on the day of the legendary manager's passing.
“I can't help but yell the same things you did in the corner of the dugout,” Jones wrote. “Come on baby, [you] I got this!'”
CHIPPER JONES RESPONDS TO DEATH PITTING BRIAN SNITKER BY BRAVES GENERAL MANAGER BOBBY COX.
And in true baseball-guy fashion, Jones joked that Cox might still be pulling the strings at the top.
“My boys won both of their games,” added Jones. “Bobby had a hand, I have no doubt!”
But Jones wasn't the only Braves legend to show Cox's impact.
Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox congratulates pitcher Tom Glavine after the Braves beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 in the first game of the World Series on Oct. 17, 1992, Atlanta. (Chris Wilkins/AFP)
Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine recalled Cox's unparalleled love and loyalty to his players.
“The minute he walked down that field, in full uniform with spikes on and ready to go, there was a passion to win the game and fight for every inch of advantage he could get from his players,” said Glavine.
John Smoltz credited Cox with completely changing the course of his career.
“He gave you confidence when you didn't have it,” said Smoltz. “I'm not a Hall of Famer without him.”
Manager Bobby Cox of the Atlanta Braves with teammates before a game against the New York Mets at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia, April 8, 2005. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, fellow Braves star Andruw Jones echoed Chipper's feelings that Cox has been more of a father figure to many players.
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“Bobby meant everything to me in my baseball career,” Andrew Jones said. “I've said this before, he was like my second father.”
That theme kept coming up again and again after Cox's death. Not just respect for one of baseball's greatest managers – but true love for the man who helped build the Braves into a powerhouse and treated generations of players like family.
