The Atlanta Braves are currently 29-30 and 6 games behind the division leading Phillies. It's been four years since the Braves made the postseason, and I'm beginning to have thoughts that would tick off a lot of loyal Braves fans: I believe that it's about time that Bobby Cox should retire.
Don't get me wrong, Bobby is a great manager, and will easily be elected to the Hall of Fame. The thing is, he is an overrated manager due to the Braves division winning streak through the 90's when at times the NL East was one of the weakest divisions in baseball. This is proven by the fact that Atlanta was able to win only one World Series during their fourteen year run as NL East/West champs.
So, if Bobby's out, who should go in? I have it narrowed down to two choices, and both are currently with the Braves. Terry Pendleton has been rumored to be in the running for several managerial jobs over the years, but has yet to be hired in the position. It appears that he is just waiting around the Braves dugout for the day he becomes the head man. The other choice is longtime first base coach Glenn Hubbard. Hubbard, like Pendleton, spent some time as a player with the Braves and has been on the first base coach since 2000. In the end, I think Pendleton would be promoted and Hubbard will remain at first base.
Let me be the first to say that Bobby Cox is Braves baseball. When you think about Atlanta, how can you not think about Bobby and rockin' Leo Mazzone sitting in the dugout during the glorious '90s. It's something no Atlanta Braves fan could ever forget. But that's the thing with sports. No matter how much you like or even love someone, sometimes it just doesn't make sense for them to stay in a position that they are only allowed to keep because of what they once did. Bobby is in the top 5 of the Greatest Managers of All Time, but 2009 should be his last as Atlanta Braves manager.
Don't get me wrong, Bobby is a great manager, and will easily be elected to the Hall of Fame. The thing is, he is an overrated manager due to the Braves division winning streak through the 90's when at times the NL East was one of the weakest divisions in baseball. This is proven by the fact that Atlanta was able to win only one World Series during their fourteen year run as NL East/West champs.
So, if Bobby's out, who should go in? I have it narrowed down to two choices, and both are currently with the Braves. Terry Pendleton has been rumored to be in the running for several managerial jobs over the years, but has yet to be hired in the position. It appears that he is just waiting around the Braves dugout for the day he becomes the head man. The other choice is longtime first base coach Glenn Hubbard. Hubbard, like Pendleton, spent some time as a player with the Braves and has been on the first base coach since 2000. In the end, I think Pendleton would be promoted and Hubbard will remain at first base.
Let me be the first to say that Bobby Cox is Braves baseball. When you think about Atlanta, how can you not think about Bobby and rockin' Leo Mazzone sitting in the dugout during the glorious '90s. It's something no Atlanta Braves fan could ever forget. But that's the thing with sports. No matter how much you like or even love someone, sometimes it just doesn't make sense for them to stay in a position that they are only allowed to keep because of what they once did. Bobby is in the top 5 of the Greatest Managers of All Time, but 2009 should be his last as Atlanta Braves manager.

Kayla Oberg
Shanon Lersh



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