ATLANTA (AP) Bobby Dews, the former Atlanta coach who spent the final 37 of his 53 years in baseball with the Braves' organization, has died. He was 76.
The Braves said Sunday that Dews died Saturday.
''A true Brave who gave his heart and soul to our organization to help create, develop and lead one of the most productive minor league systems ever,'' Braves President John Schuerholz said in a statement. ''A good man and dear friend to his Braves family and he will be very truly missed.''
Dews was a major league coach with the Braves in 1979-81, 1985 and 1997-2006.
''Christian, coach, mentor, writer and friend!'' former Braves star Chipper Jones tweeted. ''He was great at all of them. Braves Country will miss you! Rest in Peace Bobby Dews.''
The former Georgia Tech infielder played in the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system from 1960 to 1970, appearing in 142 games at the Triple-A level.
Dews was 414-413 in seven seasons as a minor league manager, directing Cardinals' farm teams in Lewiston, Cedar Rapids and Modesto, and Braves' affiliates in Kingsport, Savannah, Durham and Greenville.
''Very sad day for all of us in the Braves family,'' former Braves star Dale Murphy tweeted. ''I was one of many lucky guys that Bobby Dews mentored in baseball and life. RIP `Dewsy.'''
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