Joe Torre has won 4 World Series with the Yankees - but because the last one was in 2000, we've been subject to rumors for months that Torre needs to win another title to save his job. Nicer versions of the same story suggest that Torre must at the very least make the World Series, or maybe just the ALCS. The point is that Torre's feet have been held to the fire all season, and the best explanation anyone can provide is that more is expected of a team that's won 26 World Series and has a payroll over $208 million.
What we don't hear, in contrast, is any similar discussion about Atlanta Braves skipper Bobby Cox. Cox has led the Braves to an unprecedented 14 straight division titles, during which time the team has more wins than any other, and deserves to be named Manager of the Year this season for getting his rookie-filled team back to the postseason. But Bobby Cox has only one championship to his name, and it was 10 years ago. Atlanta hasn't reached the Fall Classic since 1999; the Yankees, in contrast, have been to two Series since their last victory. Today's loss to Houston cemented Atlanta's fourth-straight loss in the NLDS - and they've held home-field advantage in each of those series. For the record, according to USA Today, Atlanta had the majors' 10th highest payroll this season at $86.5 million.
I'm not calling for Cox's head. Quite the contrary: I have tremendous respect for him and his entire coaching staff, and generally disdain the trend of firing managers and coaches who consistently win but do not win "enough." But the common pattern in all of our major sports is to make a change at the top in a situation like this. "He's taken them as far as he can," the line will go. "Now we need someone to get this team over the hump and into the promised land."
So why hasn't Cox, unlike many of his peers, worn out his welcome?
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