Before Saturday’s game, the Braves had a surprise visitor in their clubhouse: Bobby Cox, a Hall of Fame manager celebrated as one of Major League Baseball’s most accomplished skippers.
Cox, aged 83, had a warm interaction with Chris Sale when introduced, shared a moment with Austin Riley about baseball, and greeted Ozzie Albies by name before joining the Braves for a team photo.
“Everyone was thrilled to see him,” remarked Braves manager Brian Snitker. “It was really special.”
During the third inning, the public address announcer Kevin Kraus announced a special guest at the game against the Phillies, noting him as a World Series champion and four-time Manager of the Year. Even before Cox appeared on the big screen, some fans recognized his presence.
When Cox’s image was displayed, the sellout crowd of 41,006 erupted in cheers. Cox acknowledged them with a salute, while Snitker applauded from the dugout.
“I watched him on TV as a kid and during spring training,” Albies recalled. “He’s always meant a lot to this organization.”
This marked one of Cox’s first visits to Truist Park since suffering a stroke in 2019 and being diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2020, keeping him out of the public eye for several years.
Seated in a wheelchair with his wife, Pam, in a suite, Cox stood to acknowledge the crowd during the big screen moment, and before the game, Snitker noted Cox was more expressive than expected and recognized the players.
“He’s won a lot of World Series with this organization,” remarked Marcell Ozuna. “He’s a special figure here.”
Albies praised Cox for setting high standards and emphasizing playing the game with respect.
Cox managed for 29 seasons, including 25 with the Braves and four with the Blue Jays. He accumulated a record of 2,504-2,001, placing him fourth in total managerial wins. Cox led the Braves to five World Series appearances, winning one, and guided the team through 14 consecutive division titles.
Snitker expressed hope that Cox could attend more games in the future, saying, “I know his family brought him here, and I hope he enjoyed it because there’s no place he’d rather be than at the ballpark.”
With Cox in attendance, the Braves secured a 5-1 victory over the Phillies, delivering strong pitching performances and timely home runs.
“It felt amazing,” Albies concluded. “I’m glad we got the win with Bobby watching.”