NEW YORK — After 50 years in baseball, Bobby Cox figured the only way he would give up managing was to pick a specific time and announce it publicly.
So that’s what he did Wednesday, revealing his plans to retire as manager of the Braves after next season.
“There is a little bit of relief once you come to grips with announcing it,” Cox said. “I’ve never lost the love to manage, period.”
Cox, a four-time manager of the year, agreed to a one-year contract extension for 2010. He will start a five-year consulting agreement to advise the team in baseball operations after he steps down as manager.
Cox, 68, has guided Atlanta to 14 consecutive postseason appearances (1991-2005) and the 1995 World Series title. He has compiled 2,409 regular-season wins as a manager, fourth behind Connie Mack (3,731), John McGraw (2,763) and Tony La Russa (2,550).
Footnotes.
Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has no broken bones in his foot after fouling a ball off his toes, but there is no timetable for his return.
• Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez needs surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Manager Bruce Bochy said the Giants hope to delay the operation as long as the team is in the NL playoff race.
• Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz is expected to miss three to five days with a sprained wrist.
• Twins outfielder Denard Span was out of the lineup a second straight game after being hit in the helmet with a pitch Monday night. He could return Friday. The Associated Press
