THE SIDELINES : Braves Name Royals’ Schuerholz Executive VP, General Manager

John Schuerholz, head of the Kansas City Royals baseball operation for the last decade, today was named executive vice president and general manager of the Atlanta Braves.

Schuerholz replaced Bobby Cox, who will remain as the Braves manager.

Cox, who had been general manager since 1985, handled the dual job of manager and general manager after firing Russ Nixon as manager on June 22.

The Braves were 25-40 under Nixon. Under Cox, they were 40-57 and finished at 65-97 in last place in the NL West, their fourth last-place finish in five years.

The Royals spent millions of dollars last winter to sign free agents Mark Davis and Storm Davis, but finished sixth in the American League West with 75-86 record, 27 1/2 games behind the division champion Oakland Athletics. There had been reports Schuerholz would be moved to another position with the Royals.