Being a part of history

If I have ever been part of history before this past weekend I don’t know it but I definitely was in my journey to Turner field. I watched what may well be the greatest manager in baseball history take his place in baseball immortality.

Just look at the numbers for Bobby Cox. One look and there should be little doubt about his qualifications for honor in Cooperstown. More than 2,500 wins, 14 division titles in a row, one World Series title, with the possibility of another one and of course the record he may be the least proud of more ejections than any manager in history.

Braves players from throughout the last 50 years showed up to join the 50,000 plus people who sat and stood in the aisles of Turner Field on Bobby Cox day. The likes of Phil Niekro, Dale Murphy, Bruce Benedict and Chris Chambliss were just a few names that were there. Many more offered memories through the scoreboard video screen. It was just a great day to be a Braves fan.

I was proud to be one of those as I made my first trip to Turner field. Anyone who hasn’t been there should go. The park seems like an amusement park in places but it the best place I have ever seen a game.

Thankfully that day wasn't the last of Bobby's career. The Braves were able to sneak into the playoffs as bad as they seemed not to want it with their performance in the final weeks of the regular season. They handed the Phillies the National League east title by losing five out of six to them in the final two weeks but held onto the wildcard by the skin of their teeth on the last day of the season.

Unfortunately the Braves fell to the Giants in the playoffs.

Look for the Texas Rangers to walk through the playoffs to the World Series in the American League. It is hard to pull against Josh Hamilton. If, as he says, he has overcome the addiction that slowed the start of his career, he is a great story. He is also one of the best players in either league.

The Rangers and Phillies could be a great series. Watch for the Rangers to win in six games to bring owner Nolan Ryan a championship ring.

On a football note, I want to join other sports columnists in the area in calling for Bruce Davis’s resignation. A team leader has to be responsible for his team’s actions. There is improper behavior throughout the University of North Carolina football program. The coach should not escape blame. He should resign and preserve some dignity. If he doesn’t he is going to be fired in embarrassment. The multiple investigations of the UNC program have been an embarrassment to the entire Atlantic Coast Conference and Coach Davis needs to answer for his team’s actions.