Bobby Cox dies at 84: Hall of Fame manager made Atlanta Braves a powerhouse

Bobby Cox, who turned the Atlanta Braves into a National League powerhouse during his decades-long stint as manager died at the age of 84, the team confirmed on Saturday, May 9.

"While Bobby's passion for the game was unparalleled, his love of baseball was exceeded only by his love for his family," the team said in a statement. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our sincerest condolences to his beloved wife, Pam, and their loving children and grandchildren."

Cox was Braves manager on two occasions. Atlanta hired him in December 1977 at age 36, making him the NL's youngest manager at the time.  He went 266-323 in his first stint with the team from 1978-81.

The Toronto Blue Jays promptly hired Cox after his firing. He would lead the Blue Jays to three winning seasons over the next four seasons, including a 99-win season and postseason appearance in 1985.

Cox returned to the Braves as a general manager in 1985 and named himself manager in 1990, where he would spend the rest of his managerial career.

Over the next 20 years, Cox would lead the Braves to 14 consecutive NL West titles, five National League pennants and a World Series title in 1995.

Cox won four manager of the year awards throughout his 32-year career and finished with 2,504 victories, fourth all time, plus a record 162 ejections.

He retired in 2010 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Cox had been the third baseman for the New York Yankees from 1968 to 1969, but injuries cut his playing career short. He would spend the next decade working his way through the Yankees farm system as a manager until he became the first base coach in 1977 and later got his chance with the Braves.