Cox indicates he may retire after 2008
As he sat in his office last weekend, Braves manager Bobby Cox indicated that he's planning to retire at the conclusion of the 2008 season.
Realizing the finality present in this revelation, Cox immediately asked that his words be kept private for at least a few more days. By doing so, he provided a hint of his future plans and at the same time made it known that he's not quite ready to begin closing the door on his illustrious managerial career.
"It's just a reasonable answer to a question I get asked all of the time," said Cox, while explaining why he indicated that he may be with the Braves for just two more seasons.
Early on Saturday morning, a columnist from The Atlanta-Journal Constitution heard Cox once again explain that he might retire at the end of the 2008 season.
Then, during Saturday afternoon's 6-1 loss to the Astros at Disney's Wide World of Sports, Cox decided that he'd publicly announce his thoughts with the understanding that he hasn't reached a firm decision.
"It's not definite," Cox said. "That's what I want you to know. ... Once I make up my mind, then no matter what happens, my mind will be made up."
Cox, who will celebrate his 66th birthday in May, has reached a point in his life where he knows that every long baseball season simply takes away from the time that he can spend with his family.
"I've got to do what I need to do and not what I want to do," Cox said last week.
Cox, who is preparing for his 16th season as the Braves manager and 47th consecutive year in professional baseball, said that he's still got his health and desire to be around the game.
But both he and his longtime working partner, Braves general manager John Schuerholz, realize that there is only so much time allotted to enjoy life away from the daily responsibilities required by their current positions in baseball.
"Where we are now in our careers and our lives, it's a more reasonable consideration to have about how much longer we can go," said Schuerholz, who turned 66 in October.
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Cox indicates he may retire after 2008
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