First of all, Bobby was not trying for this record, it just happened because he can't help but back up his players. This is evidenced before every pitch when he yells something like "C'mon Frenchy," cheering on Jeff Francoeur--you will literally hear it before every pitch if the game is broadcast on TBS.

As well, you didn't mention that Cox is 4th in all-time wins for baseball managers. Yes, a long career, a lot of it with the same team. The Braves are a dignified organization, much unlike the Red Sox or the Yankees.

And I know there's no point in writing about Barry Bonds, because that wouldn't be very original I suppose. But it's certainly more pertinent than discussing this, even though it's great to see Cox's name on Slate--he deserves the title because he's the best manager in baseball with the winningest team. You can't beat 14 division titles in a row, even if you dish out $25 million contracts.

Who cares if he doesn't make a total ass of himself like Pinella? He's well aware that the call is not going to be changed and that a few words will get you tossed. It's just a matter of keeping the umps honest for the next call.

In all fairness, the author also didn't go into the brighter side of McGraw's career. He's second all-time in wins as a manager. He also won 10 NL pennants, 3 World Series and only had a losing record twice in 33 years. And as a player, McGraw is third all-time in on-base percentage, behind only Ted Williams and the Babe.

I have been a Braves fan since before they were in Atlanta, but the

game takes on a new excitement with Bobby in the dugout. You

can hear him cheering on the players during the game and I have

never heard anyone who played for him talk bad about the man.

The Braves are a classy team, they build around a Team and don't

seek out the Superstars,,,they develop them inhouse. Braves management

has revived the careers of many a languishing player (Julio Franco as

a classic example) and foregone the glitz of having an A-rod or Bonds on the team.

Yes, we have some great players, Smoltz, the Jones boys, the youngsters

just now coming up, but they still need to know their manager will

go the the mat for them. And they never have to wonder with bobby.