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Business & Tech

Bobby Cox Addresses Kennesaw Business Association

Former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox and his pitching coach, Leo Mazzone, were the keynote speakers at the monthly meeting at the KSU Center.

Former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox held the attention of nearly 300 attendees at the monthly Kennesaw Business Association luncheon at the KSU Center on Tuesday.

The event also included a special appearance by former Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone.

“Hey, Leo!” said Cox as Mazzone surprised the skipper shortly after his arrival. The two were all smiles as Mazzone took a seat next to his former boss.

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Mazzone spoke first and shared several anecdotes about Cox.

“He (Cox) taught us how to act like champions,” Mazzone said. “He is the reason I was in the big leagues.”

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After a short video tribute to Cox, Mazzone introduced the future Hall of Famer to the Kennesaw businessmen and women.

Cox started his speech with stories of his past, from playing high school ball in California to being signed by the Dodgers and eventually, the beginning of his managerial career in the New York Yankees farm system.

“I didn’t play baseball my senior year of high school,” said Cox.

After playing in the minor leagues for multiple franchises, Cox saw his first major league action in 1967 playing for the New York Yankees.

“My claim to fame is that I got to play with the great Mick (Mantle)," he said.

Cox would eventually lead the Braves to a division title every season from 1991 to 2005, as well as a World Series Championship in 1995. He was named Manager of the Year four times in his career and is one of only four managers to have received the award in both the American and National leagues.

In 2007, Cox passed Sparky Anderson to become the fourth-winningest manager in major league history, with 2,195 wins and 1,698 losses.

He still remains involved with the team he has helped shaped.

“I get down to the stadium about once every other day when they are in town,” said Cox.

This event comes just days before Cox, Major League Baseball’s all-time ejections leader, is to be inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame. His jersey, number six, will be retired during a ceremony at Turner Field on Friday night. 

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