I keep thinking the Atlanta Braves are going to fade away, but they don't. It's almost September and a quick look at the standings reveal the Braves are where they have been for over a decade, atop the National League's Eastern Division. It amazing really. Lose Greg Maddux and they win. Lose Tom Glavine and they win. Lose Gary Sheffield and they win. Lose Javy Lopez and they win. Have Chipper Jones suffer through the worst season of his career and they win.
Bobby Cox probably won't be the manager of the year, as Tony LaRussa is guiding the Cardinals to unexpected success, but he should be. I'm not a huge fan of Cox, as his moves have confounded me from time to time throughout his time in Atlanta, but there is simply no denying his ability to manage. He wins no matter what hand he has been dealt. He has lost Hall of Fame caliber talent (Maddux, Glavine, etc...) and picked guys up off the scrap heap (Julio Franco, Jaret Wright, etc...) and still led the Braves to the post-season.
I know many feel the Braves have underachieved, in light of their consecutive post-season appearances, but Cox and company deserve some credit for consistently producing winning baseball teams regardless of the environment.
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