Bobby Cox Breaks MLB Ejection Mark
Atlanta Braves Manager Greatest Ever at Getting the Heave-ho
Aug 16, 2007
Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox broke one of Major League Baseball’s longest-standing records. In doing so, he knocked the immortal John McGraw off his long-held perch as the most-ejected man in baseball history. That’s no mean feat.
Barry Bonds got all the attention for passing Hank Aaron when he smacked the 756th home run of his… umm… illustrious career. But let’s face it. While breaking the all-time home run record is noteworthy, there’s enough evidence out there to convince most people that Bonds had a little, or maybe even a lot, of help.
So let’s not dwell on a record that may be tainted. Rather, let us revere Cox’s accomplishment instead. You’ve got to admit, it takes a special person indeed to get himself tossed 132 times.
One thing that separates Cox from Bonds is the sheer purity of his record. No performance enhancers here. Cox, fueled by nothing more than coffee, cigarettes and righteous indignation, broke McGraw’s record, as baseball folks like to say, the “right way.”
Even in snapping McGraw’s mark, Cox was understated. Many fans didn’t even know he’d been ejected for arguing balls and strikes by plate umpire Ted Barrett in a game between his Braves and the Giants. Bud Selig was not present for the occasion. The game did not stop for a maudlin ceremony filled with fake sincerity.
Instead, and as usual, Cox simply harrumphed into the clubhouse, presumably to enjoy the fruits of his labors – being first in line at the post-game buffet.
While Cox has had his share of out-and-out tantrums, though, he’ll never go down as one of the great performers among the ejected elite.
McGraw, who managed the old New York Giants to 10 National League titles, was known as the “Little Napoleon,” – and it wasn’t because he liked to stick his hand in his shirt. Former Baltimore skipper Earl Weaver, who owns the American League record of 98 thumbings, once famously berated an ump for 15 minutes. “Sweet” Lou Piniella can’t touch Cox in numbers. But his base-tossing, dirt-kicking, spittle-spewing tirades became a staple of highlight shows and made him the King of the TV-era.
Even Leo “The Lip” Durocher, now relegated to 3rd on the all-time list of ejectees with 124, had it over Cox in terms of style. He earned his nickname for his inventive use of language and the frequency thereof.
Cox may not bring hell bent histrionics to the table, but he remains a record holder that Joe Average can embrace. He brings a consistency that’s unrivaled by any of the other greats in the Haranguing Hall of Fame. On the very next night after setting the record, Cox made it 133, unsuccessfully disputing what does and does not constitute a balk. And consider this: It took Durocher 36 seasons to amass his 124 ejections. It took McGraw 42 to get to 131. As for Cox, he only needed 28 to get into the book.
You want a baseball record that could last forever, this could be it. Way to go Bobby.
