Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 23, 1990 TAG: 9006230132
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Short
"I called Russ this morning and told him it was not a good phone call. He knew what I meant," Cox said. "It's upsetting. When somebody fails below you, it's the same as if you failed."
Nixon has been under pressure since the Braves lost 13 of their first 15 games and 40 of their first 65.
"I've been expecting it," Nixon said by telephone from his home in Covington, Ga. "It's been evident the last two weeks. One of the bullets was going to get me, they've been shooting so many at me."
This is Cox's second stint as manager of the team in less than 10 years. Club president Stan Kasten, who announced the changes, said Cox will keep both jobs the rest of the year and then give up one of them.
"I wanted Russ to succeed, but obviously it hasn't worked out," Cox said.
The strain had started to show on Nixon. After Sunday's 9-7 loss at San Francisco, he became so angry while criticizing the team that he had to be checked by the club's assistant trainer.
Nixon was hired as manager of the Braves in 1988 after Chuck Tanner was fired. The club was 42-79 under his direction that year and 63-97 in 1989, finishing in last place both times. He is the third manager fired this season, following Davey Johnson of the New York Mets and Bucky Dent of the New York Yankees.
Cox managed the Braves for four seasons from 1978-81 and the Toronto Blue Jays for four seasons from 1982-85.
"I hope I can breathe a breath of fresh air into this club," Cox said.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB