Freddie Freeman Shares Emotional Reflection Upon Passing of Hall Of Fame Braves Manager Bobby Cox

Freddie Freeman & Bobby Cox (Photos by Imagn)

Freddie Freeman Shares Emotional Reflection Upon Passing of Hall Of Fame Braves Manager Bobby Cox

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated May 10, 2026 10:26 AM ET

Legendary Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox passed away at the age of 84 on Saturday. Freddie Freeman spent 12 seasons in the Braves organization, making his MLB debut with the team in 2010 under the Hall of Fame manager. Therefore, Freeman shared a special bond with Cox even though the All-Star first baseman only spent a short while with him in the majors.

Freddie Freeman addressed the media following the demise of Bobby Cox before the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. He spoke at length about the influence Cox had upon him to become the player he is today. Freeman never wears his hat backward or puts his sunglasses over the team logo, as taught by his first skipper in the majors.

“You do things a little different over there, and that’s the Braves’ way, and that’s what I was taught,” he said. “There are still things that I do. I can’t wear a hat backwards. My sunglasses—like tomorrow, if a cloud comes over, you won’t see it go over across my ‘L.A.’ It’ll be on the back of my hat. That’s Bobby. Bobby’s still in me.”

Bobby Cox always had Freddie Freeman’s back. Even at the beginning. And he’ll never forget it. pic.twitter.com/LYg4A4CURR
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) May 9, 2026

“Just a wonderful man that teaches you lessons, teaches you camaraderie, unity, doing things as a unit. No one’s different. That’s how I came up, and that’s what Bobby taught over there, and I appreciate it still to this day.”

In all, Cox managed for 29 seasons in MLB. 25 of those were with the Braves over two stints. He retired at the end of the 2010 season. Freeman played only 20 games for him after coming up as a September call-up that year.

Freddie Freeman Feels Blessed To Make MLB Debut For Bobby Cox

Having the opportunity to make his debut for the Atlanta Braves while Bobby Cox was still the manager is something Freddie Freeman will always treasure. He believes anyone who played under Cox will remember him very fondly forever.

Freddie Freeman (Image Credits: Imagn)

“I mean, not many people get to be managed at all by a Hall of Fame manager,” Freeman said, “and I got to have my first one in the big leagues be a Hall of Fame manager, and a manager who relentlessly had our backs. We’re gonna miss him immensely.”

“To see Hall of Famer Bobby Cox, the joy on his face when he saw my 6-month-old son,” he added. “That stuff, I will never forget.”

Cox won five National League pennants and the 1995 World Series with the Braves. He also has the MLB record with 16 postseason appearances, along with four Manager of the Year awards. His entry to the Hall of Fame was decided unanimously in 2014.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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