Bobby Cox … “Bobby” as he is known here in Atlanta and throughout all of Major League Baseball was the legendary manager of the Atlanta Braves for an astounding twenty seven years. Under his leadership the Braves won fourteen consecutive National League Division championships. A feat equally as astounding.
Bobby was known as the “players coach” … I’ve always wondered why, what that meant. Then one summer afternoon while on the beach at Amelia Island, I learned why. I was strolling casually along the water’s edge, when I looked over and saw a middle aged couple sitting in beach chairs. “Oh my God! That’s Bobby Cox …”Not wanting to be just another zealous fan reaching for his autograph, I “played possum. ”Turning my head slowing I simply uttered, “Oh, hi Bobby. Nice day.” To my surprise he instantly sprung to his feet. No smug, soft wave of acknowledgement as he slumped in his chair … as I fully expected. He was immediately in front of me. Our eyes met.

Then this from him …“It is beautiful down here, isn’t it.” … “Who are you? Tell me about you. ”Huh? This was a guy people fawned over. His celebrity in the Atlanta community was unmatched. “Who are you? Tell me about you.” Totally taken off guard l choked out a few sentences about my family, career, our twenty five years on Amelia. “Don’t you just love daughters?”“Is your place on the beach?”“Business consulting? What kind.” You can always tell when someone is truly listening to you. Is interested. Can’t you?

There is an unmistakable exchange of energy when someone absorbs what another has to say. Versus that too normal feigned gaze. Fake sincerity … while thinking about a next meeting or what they’re planning to say to you in response. Bobby could have just stood there waiting for me to pour on the praise, the adulation. But no. “Who are you? Tell me about you.” Ah hah … it was then I realized how he led a major league franchise all those years. All those multi million dollar guys. All those egos. Bobby loved people. Bobby Cox was and will always be remembered, revered as the “Players Coach.

Bobby was always about, always did what was best for his players. Oh, he also holds the record for the most ejections from a game in baseball history. Somehow I think this was further evidence of how he always supported his team. Most of those ejections were probably intentional. Backing his players whenever he felt he was called to do so.

Bobby was first and always … about his players. An uncommon humility, wisdom about him I’ve not forgotten. Just his listening with interest. Questioning. Learning. Always looking to hear more about another vs focusing on himself.
Just one more example of what builds character. How some special people separate themselves from the pack. Like Bobby Cox did. On that memorable summer day on Amelia Island …