I'm not disputing that Cox is a great manager, because he is, and this year is in my mind his finest season. But I think the Braves 14 year run has really been aided by the mediocrity of the NL east over that time. Their competition has been the Expos, 'nough said, the Mets, perenial stupid-contract-hander-outers, Marlins, flashes of extreme brilliance but overall terrible, and the Phillies, perenial under-achievers. The 14 year run is more attributable to the Braves system, for which Schuerholz, scouts, and minor league coaches deserve most of the credit.