Bobby Cox, Hall of Fame Braves manager and ex-Yankee, dies at 84

NEW YORK — Baseball has lost one of its classiest and most respected citizens. Bobby Cox, who plied his baseball skills and acumen as a heads-up but light-hitting infielder for the Yankees during their late ’60s “dark years,” and went on to a Hall of Fame managing career with a record 14 straight division titles and a World Series championship in 1995 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. The Braves announced his death on Saturday.

He was 84. “Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995.

His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched,” the Braves said in a statement. One of the most beloved Atlanta sports figures ever (upon his retirement, a farmer in Georgia carved out a corn maze in his honor), Cox’s 2,504 wins are the fourth-most in baseball history, behind only Connie Mack, John McGraw and Tony LaRussa. His 15 first-place finishes (including one with the Blue Jays) are the most of any manager in history.

He was also the most argumentative of managers, as documented by his all-time record 161 ejections. But as major league umpire Dan Iassogna said at Cox’s retirement celebration with the Braves in 2016: “He was one of the best managers I’ve ever worked with because you know where he stands at all times on the field. You will never be surprised by one of his actions — ever.