Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Cox and Torre Have Lived Parallel Lives

Along the lines of the Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy list of bizarre coincidences, Joe Torre and Bobby Cox have plenty of their own. This has nothing to do with sports analytics, but had to post it anyway:

Joe Torre has three letters in his first name and five in his second name.
Bobby Cox has five letters in his first name and three in his second name.

Torre played for the Braves and managed the Yankees.
Cox played for the Yankees and manages the Braves.

Torre originally signed with the Braves and manages the Dodgers.
Cox originally signed with the Dodgers and manages the Braves.

Both Cox and Torre played third base in the Major Leagues.

Both played for teams in New York City: Torre with the Mets, Cox with the Yankees.

Both managers had their first full season in 1978.
Torre finished last in the NL East.
Cox finished last in the NL West.

Both managers had their second full season in 1979.
Torre finished last in the NL East.
Cox finished last in the NL West.

Torre managed in New York (with the Mets), left to manage other clubs, and returned to New York (with the Yankees).
Cox managed in Atlanta, left to manage another club, and returned to Atlanta.

Torre replaced Cox as Braves manager before the 1982 season.

Both skippers left managing in the mid-1980s to pursue other opportunities: Torre as a broadcaster and Cox as a GM.

Torre had two managerial stints in New York. He struggled in the first one and became one of the all-time greatest managers in the second.
Cox had two managerial stints in Atlanta. He struggled in the first one and became one of the all-time greatest managers in the second.

Both managers have made 15 postseason appearances, more than any other manager in Major League history.

Both managers have had streaks of 14 consecutive playoff appearances, more than any other manager in Major League history.

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