Bobby Cox has now hung up his spikes, leaving behind an unparalleled tenure as one of the most successful managers of all time. Known throughout baseball as a playerâs manager, the legendary skipper has endeared himself to all who love the game. His constancy has been an anomaly in this fickle sports era, and In the Time of Bobby Cox is Lang Whitakerâs heartfelt exploration of the lessons heâs learned sitting at the masterâs side . . . or, more accurately, sitting on his couch in front of the television.
The number of players whoâve hit the field for Cox is astonishingâand this book includes a list. From David Justice to Greg Maddux to Chipper Jones to Jason Heyward, Cox managed every kind of player, and almost always got the most out of each one. He did it with patience, persistence, and faith. He did it by adapting, communicating, and, more often than any other manager, getting himself ejected. Whitaker didnât think much of it at first, but, as the years rolled by, he realized heâd learned at least as much from Cox as players such as Andruw Jones had.
In the tradition of Frederick Exleyâs 1968 classic, A Fanâs Notes, and Nick Hornbyâs Fever Pitch, sports commentator, editor, columnist, and blogger Lang Whitaker weaves memoir with his obsessive super-fandom, providing the perfect blend of sports, humor, and insight for Braves fans and for everyone who enjoys Americaâs favorite pastime.