By Justin Worsley
The Atlanta Braves wasted no time appointing the successor to Bobby Cox, announcing on Wednesday that the organization has hired Fredi Gonzalez to replace the legendary skipper.
Gonzalez, 46, was a coach in Atlanta between 2003-06 before the division rival Florida Marlins hired Gonzalez as their manager. Gonzalez led the Marlins to a 276-279 record before he was fired last June.
The Sporting News named Gonzalez as the manager of the year in 2008 after Florida went 84-77, a 13 game improvement from their 2007 record of 71-91.
Florida continued their climb to the top of the AL East division, going 87-75 in 2009. This season, however, the team got off to a slow start, going 34-36 before firing Gonzalez. Florida finished the season going 80-82, this in the AL East.
The expectations are high in Atlanta, where Cox has led the Braves to 16 playoff appearances and a 1995 World Series victory. Cox if fourth on the all-time managerial wins list with 2,504-2,001 record over a span of 29 years. Despite retiring as a manager, Cox has announced that he will still be an advisor to the team.
The Braves season ended on Monday when they fell to the San Francisco Giants in Game 4 of the ALDS.
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