Bristol worked as an assistant football coach at Murphy High School in Cherokee County, North Carolina.

He walked into a very difficult situation; the Pilots were on the verge of bankruptcy, and went to spring training not knowing whether they would play in Seattle or Milwaukee in 1970.

Midway through the 1977 season, with the Braves mired in a 16-game losing streak, owner Ted Turner sent Bristol on a 10-day "scouting trip" and took over as his own manager.

In June 1980, Bristol got into a fight with Giants pitcher John Montefusco after a victory over the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

[5] Post-MLB career After retiring Bristol returned full time to live in his beloved Blue Ridge Mountains in Andrews, North Carolina.

He has served as an on-field mentor to YHC’s baseball players and coaches and because of his generous efforts and support he was inducted into the Young Harris College Athletics Hall of Fame in 20215