ATLANTA (AP) - Bobby Cox, the affable manager of the Atlanta Braves whose teams dominated the National League throughout the 1990s and brought the city its first major league championship along with World Series runs that ended in heartbreak, died Saturday. He was 84.

Cox passed away in Marietta, Georgia, the Atlanta Braves announced. He suffered a stroke in 2019, followed by heart problems that hindered his rehabilitation.

"Bobby was the greatest manager to don a Braves uniform. He guided our club to 14 straight division crowns, five National League flags, and the cherished 1995 World Series victory. His legacy as Braves manager stands unmatched," the team stated.

Cox assumed control of a last-place squad in June 1990 and engineered a dramatic worst-to-first turnaround in 1991, falling to the Minnesota Twins in a thrilling seven-game World Series. This launched an unprecedented streak of 14 consecutive division titles, a record unmatched in any professional sport.

He skippered the Braves for 25 seasons, securing Atlanta's inaugural World Series crown in 1995, before stepping away after 2010 and earning Hall of Fame induction in 2014.

"Bobby was beloved across the baseball world, particularly by those who played under him. His deep insights into player growth and game strategy culminated in the highest honor: Baseball Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2014," the Braves noted.

Through Saturday, Cox held fourth place all-time with 2,504 victories, fifth in games managed at 4,508, first in division titles with 15 including the record 14 straight, first in playoff berths at 16, and fourth in postseason wins with 67.

Just Connie Mack, John McGraw, and Tony La Russa surpassed his regular-season triumphs. His 158 ejections during the regular season topped the list for managers.

Governor Brian Kemp declared that Georgia and the Braves had lost a genuine legend in Cox.

"His foresight, skill, and leadership style secured his National Hall of Fame place and forged a legacy enduring for generations," Kemp remarked.

Cox's passing occurred four days after fellow Atlanta figure Ted Turner died; Turner, as Braves owner, had brought Cox back to the organization in 1990.

"RIP my second father," Andruw Jones posted on social media. The 10-time Gold Glove outfielder, set for Hall of Fame induction in July, will be the sixth ex-Cox Brave to achieve that honor.

The Braves retired Cox's No. 6 in 2011 upon his entry into the team's Hall of Fame.

"He is the Atlanta Braves," catcher Brian McCann said in 2019. "He's the best."

McCann called Cox "one of the finest people any of us ever knew."

Cox managed 29 major league seasons, four with Toronto. He guided 16 teams to the playoffs. His traditional dugout style featured spikes and stirrups, while his paternal approach fostered deep player loyalty.

Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux noted that players league-wide envied playing for Cox: "Respect is the first word. He commanded it from everyone. When Bobby spoke, we paid attention. We yearned to suit up for him."

Cox became the first National League skipper to reach 100 wins in a season five times. He claimed Manager of the Year four times, the only one to do so back-to-back (2004, 2005). He maintained strong bonds with successors Fredi Gonzalez and Brian Snitker.

He frequently appeared at games and spring training until a 2019 stroke impaired his speech and mobility. Cox rebounded sufficiently to revisit the Braves that year, observing from the press box area. His wife, Pam, noted in 2020 that cardiac issues delayed his stroke recovery.

His enduring marriage weathered a 1995 incident where he faced allegations of striking his wife. Charged with simple battery and briefly detained, Cox and Pam addressed the media the next day, both denying the facial strike. They pledged counseling, and charges were later dismissed.

For all his regular-season dominance, Cox captured just one World Series in five attempts. He steered the Braves to Atlanta's first pro sports title in 1995, topping the Cleveland Indians in six games. Cox observed that scrutiny often fixated on the World Series defeats.

"We've reached many World Series and competed fiercely," Cox reflected. "We may not have played our sharpest in the one we claimed."

The Braves fell to Toronto in six games in 1992 and to the New York Yankees in six in 1996, then endured a 1999 sweep by the Yankees.

"Postseason boils down to breaks in a four-game showdown," Cox said. "We've performed admirably and take pride in our achievements. Yet the question persists. Frankly, it's frustrating."

Tom Glavine, a Cox player from the dynasty era, deemed it unjust to fault the manager for playoff shortcomings.

"It's baffling: Bobby gets no praise for regular-season wins, but shoulders all blame for postseason losses," Glavine said.

Born May 21, 1941, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cox finished Selma High School in California in 1959, then Reedley Junior College nearby before inking a $40,000 bonus with the Dodgers.

He toiled seven years in the Dodgers' minors before a trade to the Braves' system, playing one season at Richmond (1967). Dealt to the Yankees for Bob Tillman and Dale Roberts, he manned third base in his sole two big-league years (1968-69) until knee woes ended his career at 30.

Cox launched six minor-league managing years in 1971. He rejoined the majors in 1977 as Yankees first-base coach en route to their World Series win.

His initial big-league managerial role arrived with the Braves in 1978. His top mark in first Atlanta stay was 81-80 in 1980; he posted 266-323 over four years.

Toronto Blue Jays tapped Cox in 1982; he delivered their first AL East title in 1985, his fourth and last season there. Turner, the flamboyant owner and media pioneer, drew him back as Braves GM in 1986.

As general manager, his clubs never posted winning records. Yet Cox cultivated core 1990s stars: Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Jeff Blauser, Mark Lemke, David Justice, Javy Lopez, Ron Gant. Top draft picks Steve Avery and Chipper Jones thrived under him.

Cox reclaimed the manager's role June 22, 1990, post-Russ Nixon's dismissal.

"Remarkable: He builds the roster as GM, then leads them on the field," Maddux observed.

Cox typically avoided spotlight and disliked self-praise.

"Truthfully, I'm just fulfilling my duties. The rest sorts itself," he said.