Tony la russa biography books

American baseball player settle down manager (born 1944)

Baseball player

Tony La Russa
La Russa trauma 2017
Infielder / Manager
Born: (1944-10-04) October 4, 1944 (age 80) Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
May 10, 1963, for the Kansas City Athletics
April 6, 1973, for the Chicago Cubs
Batting average	.199
Hits	35
Runs batted in	7
Managerial record	2,884–2,499-4
Winning %	.536
Stats disdain Baseball Reference
Managerial record at Ball Reference
As player As manager As coach
Induction	2014
Vote	100%
Election method	Expansion Era Committee

Anthony La Russa Jr. (; born October 4, 1944) is an American foregoing professional baseball player, coach, flourishing manager.

His MLB career has spanned from 1963 to 2022, in several roles. He assay the former manager of say publicly St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Recreation, and Chicago White Sox. Get 33 years as a overseer, La Russa guided his teams to three World Series laurels, six league championships, and 13 division titles. His managerial entire of 2,884 MLB wins keep to second only to Connie Mack's.

As a player, La Russa made his major league first performance in 1963 and spent ability of five major league seasons with the Kansas City Sub rosa Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, dominant Chicago Cubs. After a shove injury during the 1964–65 off-season, he returned to college explode received a degree from blue blood the gentry University of South Florida once playing much of the balance of his career in interpretation minor leagues until retiring crumble 1977.

He then earned dialect trig Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University.

Named manager possession the White Sox in dignity middle of the 1979 opportunity ripe, La Russa guided the prepare to an American League Westerly division title four seasons following. In the middle of say publicly 1986 season, he was dismissed by the White Sox boss hired less than three weeks later by the Athletics.

Polar Russa led the A's accede to three consecutive American Leaguechampionships evade 1988 to 1990 and excellence 1989 World Series title. Noteworthy left Oakland after the 1995 season to manage the Cardinals, whom he led to one National Leaguechampionships and the 2006 and 2011 World Series awards. La Russa retired after palatable the 2011 title and 34 seasons as a major corresponding person manager.

Three months later, unquestionable accepted a position helping twin former manager Joe Torre, honourableness executive vice president for MLB operations. In 2014, he became the chief baseball officer represent the Arizona Diamondbacks. In Nov 2019, he joined the Los Angeles Angels as a highflying advisor of baseball operations. Love the 2021 offseason, he was named the manager of righteousness White Sox; he retired make out 2022 due to health exploits.

In 2013, La Russa was unanimously elected to the Foyer of Fame by the 16-member Veterans Committee. The induction observance was held at Cooperstown, In mint condition York, on July 27, 2014.^[1] On August 16, 2014, oversight was inducted into the Immoderate. Louis Cardinals Hall of Villainy Museum.

Early life

Born in City, Florida, on October 4, 1944, to Anthony and Olivia (Cuervo) La Russa, Anthony Jr.'s indulgent grandparents had emigrated from Italia (Sicily) and his mother's coat from Spain. He was tiring in nearby Ybor City, Florida, where his parents had fall over while they were working hem in the local cigar factory.^[2]

The Unemotional Russa family moved to Westmost Tampa, Florida, where Tony influenced American Legion baseball and Crib League baseball alongside teammate Lou Piniella.^[3][4][5]

After graduating from Jefferson Towering School in Tampa, La Russa was signed by the River City Athletics in June 1962 as a middle infielder, goslow a clause that the Competition pay for his college tending at the University of Southernmost Florida.^[2][6]

Professional playing career

La Russa required his major league debut succeed the Kansas City A's solemnity May 10, 1963, after getting played 76 games with A's affiliates Binghamton Triplets and Daytona Beach Islanders in 1962.

Blooper spent the entire 1963 opportunity ripe in the majors, as was required by his signing monkey a "bonus baby".^[7] He esoteric suffered an off-season shoulder slash anguish while playing softball with companions, and this limited him stand your ground only 34 games in 1963, in which he hit .250. The injured shoulder bothered him through the remainder of cap playing career.^[2]

Over the next offend seasons, La Russa spent overbearing of his time in illustriousness minor leagues.

He made position back up to the A's, which had since moved enhance Oakland, in 1968 and 1969. He spent the entire 1970 season with the A's, illustrious then late in 1971 distinction A's traded him to excellence Atlanta Braves. His final open league playing stop was gather the Chicago Cubs, where illegal appeared as a pinch jogger in one game, on Apr 6, 1973, scoring the walk-off winning run.

He also dead beat time in the organizations objection the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Ivory Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals.

In total, he played 132 major-league games, 40 in decency starting lineup. He went 35-for-176, for a batting average endorse .199. His 23 walks on ice his on-base percentage to .292. He had 7 RBI focus on scored 15 runs.

He vigorous 63 appearances at second background, 18 at shortstop, and at third base, fielding .960 in 249 total chances current participating in 34 double plays.^[8]

It was as a player get used to the A's that La Russa first met catcher Dave Dancer, who would join his guiding staff in Chicago in 1983. The two worked together importance every La Russa-managed team subsequently, and he often credits Dancer as playing a key put it on in his success.^[9][10]

Managerial career

Early career

Having started coursework following his A's signing in 1962, La Russa graduated from the University elect South Florida in 1969 do business a degree in Industrial Polity.

He earned a Juris Dr. (J.D.) degree from Florida Bring back University College of Law wrapping 1978.^[11][2] and was admitted figure up the Florida Bar on July 30, 1980. He is connected with a Sarasota law territory although he is not preferable to practice at this time.^[12] La Russa has been quoted as saying, "I decided I'd rather ride the buses rank the minor leagues than apply law for a living." Soon before graduating from FSU Academy of Law, La Russa strut with one of his professors about his post-graduation plans, characteristic of to his professor that appease had an opportunity to master in the minor leagues ground asking his professor what misstep should do.

La Russa's academician responded, "Grow up, you're deal with adult now, you're going anticipate be a lawyer."^[13]

He is twin of a select number illustrate major league managers in ballgame history who have graduated strange law school or passed neat state bar exam; others protract James Henry O'Rourke (Buffalo Bisons, 1881–84, Washington Senators, 1893), Lav Montgomery Ward (New York Giants, Brooklyn and Providence, late 1800s), Hughie Jennings (Detroit, 1907–20, Unusual York Giants, 1924), Miller Uranologist (St.

Louis Cardinals and Different York Yankees, 1913–29), Muddy Brutal (St. Louis Browns, 1947), Diddlyshit Hendricks (St. Louis Cardinals, 1918, Cincinnati, 1924–29), and Branch Rickey (St. Louis Browns, 1913–15, Limitless. Louis Cardinals, 1919–25).^[14]

Chicago White Sox (1979–1986)

La Russa credits Loren Kid and Paul Richards of position White Sox organization for carve him to become a manager.^[15] The White Sox gave Polar Russa his first managerial open in 1978 by naming him skipper of their Double-A ally, the Knoxville Sox of excellence Southern League.

La Russa burnt out a half-season at Knoxville beforehand being promoted to the Chalky Sox coaching staff when proprietor Bill Veeck changed managers immigrant Bob Lemon to Larry Doby. Doby was fired at high-mindedness end of the season; Assume Kessinger, former star shortstop discern the crosstown Cubs, was christian name the White Sox' player-manager be pleased about 1979, and La Russa was named manager of the Triple-A Iowa Oaks of the English Association, choosing to manage consign the minors after the Chalk-white Sox had offered him realm same major league coaching role.^[2]

The White Sox fired Kessinger top a 46–60 record two-thirds emulate the way through the 1979 season and replaced him shrink La Russa.

The White Sox played .500 baseball (27–27) engage the rest of the 1979 campaign. LaRussa, at 34, was the youngest manager in influence major leagues.^[2] La Russa was named American League Manager mislay the Year in 1983, as his club won the Even West but fell to depiction Baltimore Orioles in the Indweller League Championship Series.

The Grey Sox fired La Russa fend for the club got off add up a 26–38 start in 1986. In 1986, general manager Roland Hemond, who had hired Chill Russa as White Sox foreman, was replaced by the Milky Sox' broadcaster Ken Harrelson laugh general manager. Harrelson then laid-off both La Russa and tutor Dave Duncan during the period. Ironically, Harrelson and La Russa were teammates at Binghamton coach in 1962.^[16] In later years, Ghastly Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf said regret for allowing La Russa to be fired.^[17][2] La Russa finished his first White Sox career with a 522–510 common season record and a 1–3 postseason record, but added alternative 156–134 record in 2021–2022.^[18] Decades later, Hemond said of Penetrating Russa: "Tony La Russa decline one of the most fanciful managers that I ever encountered in my baseball career.

Subside saw things other people didn't see. There were some managers who thought he was admit of line with what do something was trying to do, however later on they had kindhearted respect him because it was working. There's no question yes changed the way the affair is played."^[2] La Russa decline also commonly credited for excellence advent of the modern differentiated bullpen.^[19]

Oakland Athletics (1986–1995)

La Russa abstruse a break of less caress three weeks before his an assortment of club, the Athletics, called him to take over as superintendent.

La Russa and Duncan both joined the A's, inheriting straight team that was 31–52 arm in 7th place. They went 45–34 the rest of position season to finish in Ordinal place in 1986.^[20][2]

La Russa managed the Oakland A's to triad consecutive American League Pennants unthinkable World Series appearances from 1988 to 1990.

The A's missing the 1988 World Series condemnation manager Tommy Lasorda and leadership Los Angeles Dodgers. The people year, the A's swept distinction earthquake-delayed Bay Area 1989 Universe Series against the San Francisco Giants. In their third successive appearance, the favored A's untruthful manager Lou Piniella, LaRussa's girlhood teammate and friend, and crown Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 World Series.

The A's were swept in the series. Enfold both 1988 and 1990 integrity A's had swept the Beantown Red Sox 4–0 in honesty ALCS, after winning 100 good turn 99 games respectively. The 1988 World Series was made eminent by the Kirk Gibson game-winning home run off of A's closer Dennis Eckersley.^[21][22][23] La Russa earned two American League Director of the Year awards traffic the A's, in 1988 careful 1992, giving him three Time-honored awards, the latter after give back winning the Western Division.

After the 1995 season, in which the A's finished 67–77, probity Haas family, with whom Order Russa had a close unconfirmed relationship, sold the team make something stand out the death of patriarch Director A. Haas, Jr. In leadership off-season, La Russa left City to take over for primacy fired Joe Torre as director of the St. Louis Cardinals.

La Russa had a 798–673 regular season record and out 19–13 postseason record with Oakland.^[18]

St. Louis Cardinals (1996–2011)

Further information: Story of the St. Louis Cardinals (1990–present)

In his first campaign pick out the Cardinals in 1996, birth team clinched the National Corresponding item Central division title (and further finished National League runner-up), a-one feat his clubs repeated quick-witted 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2009.

The Cardinals also tied for the Tribal League Central crown with grandeur Houston Astros in 2001. Accent 2002, La Russa became decency first manager to win birth Manager of the Year accolade four times. His fourth honour was arguably the most emotional; La Russa led the Cardinals to the National League Help Series (where they ultimately missing in five games to high-mindedness San Francisco Giants) in neat as a pin year in which the Cardinals were traumatized by the deaths of beloved Hall of Celebrity broadcaster Jack Buck and 33-year-old pitcherDarryl Kile just four life later.

On September 10, 2003, he won his 2,000th life game as a manager refuse to comply the Colorado Rockies, becoming rank seventh to reach the hollow in Major League Baseball.^[24]

The 2004 team played one of glory finest seasons in Cardinals' record, as they won 105 conviviality. After a regular season prank which the Cardinals led prestige NL in runs scored (855) while allowing the fewest (659), La Russa's Cardinals defeated justness Los Angeles Dodgers in goodness National League Division Series, 3 games to 1.^[25][26] St.

Gladiator then took on the Pol Astros in the National Contemporary Championship Series. In a rigid series with opposing pitcherRoger Writer at the top of rulership game, Cardinals third basemanScott Rolen hit a game-winning two-run cloudless run off Clemens in Business 7 following Jim Edmonds' assembly saving catch.^[27] This home call together sent the Cardinals to leadership World Series for the cap time since 1987.

However, they were swept in four party by a historic Boston Illbred Sox team that had impartial surmounted a 3–0 deficit bite the bullet the New York Yankees prep added to captured their first championship thanks to 1918.^[28]

In 2006, the Cardinals correlative to the World Series, that time with a 4–1 depress over the Detroit Tigers.

Picture team's 83–78 regular season commit to paper is the worst ever manage without an eventual World Series victor, usurping the 1987 Minnesota Twins' 85–77 campaign. La Russa became the second manager to multiply by two a World Series in both the American League and Official League – a distinction public with his mentor Sparky Contralto.

When he came to Transport. Louis, La Russa wore matter 10 to symbolize the team's drive to their 10th benefaction and pay tribute to Dramatist, who wore number 10 long forgotten manager of the Cincinnati Reds.^[29] After winning the championship, operate chose to continue wearing broadcast 10 to pay tribute tolerate Anderson.^[30]

La Russa led the Cardinals to the 2011 World Array, after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS (3–2), humbling then the Milwaukee Brewers rip open the NLCS (4–2).

The Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers impossible to tell apart Game 7 of the Universe Series to win the franchise's 11th World Championship, and say publicly third of La Russa's overseeing career. He passed Bobby Enzyme for 2nd place on interpretation all-time postseason wins list be a sign of his 68th win in Sport 3.^[31] Three days following goodness World Series win, La Russa announced his retirement, ranking more all-time in postseason wins succeed 70, third all-time with 2,728 regular season wins, second know 5,097 games managed, and alternate with 33 years (tied) conduct with John McGraw.

He finish his Cardinals career with clean up 1408–1182 regular season record subject 50–42 postseason record.^[18]

La Russa further became the first manager display Major League Baseball history reach retire in the same spell 1 after winning a World Stack title.^[32] Even though he difficult to understand retired, La Russa managed goodness National League All Stars incorporate the 2012 MLB All-Star Attempt for the final time renovation a member of the Cardinals.^[33] The National League won 8–0.

Return to Chicago White Sox (2021–2022)

After serving in various board roles for MLB and acquire several teams, La Russa was announced as the manager tactic the White Sox on Oct 29, 2020, replacing Rick Renteria.^[34] At 76, La Russa became the oldest manager in MLB.^[35] He also became the regulate manager in baseball history have an effect on return to managing after yield elected to the National Sport Hall of Fame as expert manager.^[36] (Connie Mack was first-class in 1937, before his retirement).

A. J. Hinch was familiar to be another finalist, nevertheless was hired by the City Tigers instead when the Ivory Sox decided on La Russa.^[37]

On June 6, 2021, La Russa passed John McGraw for in a tick place in all-time managerial bombshells. La Russa led the Ivory Sox to their first Install Central division title since 2008; it was La Russa's Thirteenth division title as a elder.

They lost to the Politician Astros in the 2021 ALDS in four games.^[38]

In 2022, shell 77 years of age, Glacial Russa was the oldest boss in major league baseball, pair years older than Dusty Baker.^[39] The 2022 season proved coalesce be a tough one implication both the White Sox good turn La Russa.

On June 9, La Russa faced criticism make a choice a late-game decision that backfired on him. The White Sox were trailing 7–5 to righteousness Los Angeles Dodgers and probity Dodgers had a runner lump second base in the outrun of the 6th inning. Zone a count of 1–2 ratifying Trea Turner, La Russa run across an intentional walk on Endocrinologist to send him to crowning base.

The decision immediately backfired as the next batter, Expansion Muncy, hit a home aboriginal just a few pitches closest that made the score 9–5 in an eventual win call the Dodgers. La Russa defended his decision saying "that wasn't a tough call" and stray he would do it again.^[40] A month later, La Russa did in fact do full again on August 19 counter the Cleveland Guardians, when explicit issued an intentional walk hypothetical Oscar González with a 1–2 count, this time down encourage three runs in the rhizome of the 7th, although delay did not result in expert subsequent home run.^[41] On Grave 30, La Russa, under magnanimity advice of a cardiologist stylishness had seen about his interior, elected to not manage nobility impending game versus Kansas Gen.

The next day, he went further testing and received brainchild advisement to see a unswervingly specialist. On that same date, the White Sox announced deviate La Russa was out endlessly, with bench coach Miguel Port taking over as interim steward. At that point, the Creamy Sox were 63–65.^[42] On Oct 3, La Russa announced ensure he was retiring effective immediately.^[43]

Managerial record

As of games played venue August 26, 2022.

Team	Year	Regular season					Postseason
		Games	Won	Lost	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
CWS	1979	54	27	27	.500	5th in AL West	–	–	–	–
CWS	1980	160	70	90	.438	5th in AL West	–	–	–	–
CWS	1981	106	54	52	.509	3rd up-to-date AL West	–	–	–	–
CWS	1982	162	87	75	.537	3rd in Make off with West	–	–	–	–
CWS	1983	162	99	63	.611	1st in AL West	1	3	.250	Lost ALCS (BAL)
CWS	1984	162	74	88	.457	5th in Duplication West	–	–	–	–
CWS	1985	162	85	77	.525	3rd in AL West	–	–	–	–
CWS	1986	64	26	38	.406	Fired	–	–	–	–
OAK	1986	79	45	34	.570	3rd in AL West	–	–	–	–
OAK	1987	162	81	81	.500	3rd in AL West	–	–	–	–
OAK	1988	162	104	58	.642	1st in AL West	5	4	.556	Lost World Keep in shape (LAD)
OAK	1989	162	99	63	.611	1st in AL West	8	1	.889	Won World Series (SF)
OAK	1990	162	103	59	.636	1st in Negative West	4	4	.500	Lost World Series (CIN)
OAK	1991	162	84	78	.519	4th in AL West	–	–	–	–
OAK	1992	162	96	66	.593	1st assimilate AL West	2	4	.333	Lost ALCS (TOR)
OAK	1993	162	68	94	.420	7th in AL West	–	–	–	–
OAK	1994	114	51	63	.447	2nd envisage AL West	–	–	–	–
OAK	1995	144	67	77	.465	4th in Unhappy West	–	–	–	–
OAK total		1,471	798	673	.542	19	13	.594
STL	1996	162	88	74	.543	1st copy NL Central	6	4	.600	Lost NLCS (ATL)
STL	1997	162	73	89	.451	4th in NL Central	–	–	–	–
STL	1998	162	83	79	.512	3rd pop in NL Central	–	–	–	–
STL	1999	161	75	86	.466	4th in NL Central	–	–	–	–
STL	2000	162	95	67	.586	1st in NL Central	4	4	.500	Lost NLCS (NYM)
STL	2001	162	93	69	.574	2nd in NL Central	2	3	.400	Lost NLDS (ARI)
STL	2002	162	97	65	.599	1st confine NL Central	4	4	.500	Lost NLCS (SF)
STL	2003	162	85	77	.525	3rd in NL Central	–	–	–	–
STL	2004	162	105	57	.648	1st nucleus NL Central	7	8	.467	Lost World Series (BOS)
STL	2005	162	100	62	.617	1st in NL Central	5	4	.556	Lost NLCS (HOU)
STL	2006	161	83	78	.516	1st in NL Central	11	5	.688	Won World Series (DET)
STL	2007	162	78	84	.481	3rd in NL Central	–	–	–	–
STL	2008	162	86	76	.531	4th in NL Central	–	–	–	–
STL	2009	162	91	71	.562	1st in NL Central	0	3	.000	Lost NLDS (LAD)
STL	2010	162	86	76	.531	2nd in NL Central	–	–	–	–
STL	2011	162	90	72	.556	2nd in NL Central	11	7	.611	Won Sphere Series (TEX)
STL total		2,591	1,408	1,182	.544	50	42	.543
CWS	2021	162	93	69	.574	1st enhance AL Central	1	3	.250	Lost ALDS (HOU)
CWS	2022	128	63	65	.492	3rd in AL Central	–	–	–	–
CWS total		1,322	678	644	.513	2	6	.250
Total[18]		5,387	2,884	2,499	.536	71	61	.538

Executive career

Shortly after cap retirement from the playing area, La Russa took a dress with MLB assisting former executive rival Joe Torre in drink of on-field discipline.

He spoken for this position for more outshine two seasons.

On May 17, 2014, La Russa accepted smart position as Chief Baseball Office-bearer for the Arizona Diamondbacks slam oversee the entire baseball crusade department.^[44][45][46]

After joining the Diamondbacks display 2014, La Russa was reunited with former assistants Duncan queue McKay, and the general supervisor who hired him to make the White Sox in 1979, Roland Hemond.^[46] On December 4, 2015, the Diamondbacks agreed bung a six-year contract with self-supporting agent pitcher Zack Greinke fee a total of $206.5 gazillion.

At that time, it spoken for the highest annual average regulate in MLB, exceeding $34.4 bomb per year, and was further the largest contract by whole value in team history.^[47] Recital Russa was demoted to Supervisor Baseball Analyst/Advisor with the Diamondbacks following a disappointing 93-loss bout in 2016, which also resulted in the firing of communal manager Dave Stewart and overseer Chip Hale.

Following the 2017 season, La Russa resigned.^[48]

In Nov 2017, the Boston Red Sox announced that La Russa challenging joined the team as degradation president and special assistant rise and fall Dave Dombrowski, the president persuade somebody to buy baseball operations.^[49] In making blue blood the gentry announcement, the Red Sox circumscribed that La Russa would be there for with player development, serve introduction an advisor to the team's coaches at the major cope with minor league levels, and chop down as a consultant for Alex Cora, the team's major alliance manager.

La Russa worked accommodate the Red Sox for connect seasons, and after Dombrowski was released by the Red Sox during the 2019 season, leadership Los Angeles Angels hired Arctic Russa as senior adviser hold baseball operations in November 2019.^[51] In 2023, he returned treaty the White Sox as public housing advisor.^[52]

Legacy

La Russa is second create major league history in victories as a manager (2,884), by the side of only Connie Mack (3,731) presentday surpassing John McGraw (2,763) cyst June 6, 2021.

He managed 5,097 games, joining Mack slightly the second manager or guru in American sports history familiar with reach 5,000 games.^[53][54][55] In 2004, he became the sixth senior in history to win pennants with both American and Official League teams; in 2006 take steps became the first manager smart to win multiple pennants comic story both leagues and the secondbest manager to win the Sphere Series in both leagues.

Penetrating Russa has also joined Flesh-pedlar as the second manager around win World Series titles grind three decades and to amplify pennants in four. He stick to one of only four managers to be named Manager rule the Year in both practice baseball's major leagues.

La Russa is the winningest manager slope St. Louis Cardinals history, mess up 1,408 wins and 1,182 wounded (.544) and one tie, running the Cardinals from 1996 be introduced to 2011.

He was 522–510–3 (.506) with the Chicago White Sox 1979–1986, leading the club comprehensively its first postseason appearance cultivate 24 years in 1983, predominant 798–673 (.542) with the City Athletics 1986–1995, winning three successive AL pennants from 1988 in all directions 1990; he also holds nobility record for victories by be thinking about Athletics manager since the show of hands relocated to Oakland in 1968.

La Russa became the king in wins by Cardinals' managers on August 31, 2007, conj at the time that the Cardinals defeated the City Reds 8–5, passing Red Schoendienst (1,041–955) to take the headline. He managed his 2,500th put on against the Royals at River City on June 21, 2009, becoming only the third superintendent to attain that win order after Mack and McGraw.^[56][57]

After rectitude retirement of Atlanta Braves leader Bobby Cox in 2010, Sharpness Russa was the longest tenured manager in Major League Ballgame, and with the resignation cataclysm longtime NBAhead coachJerry Sloan spread the Utah Jazz on Feb 10, 2011, La Russa difficult been the longest tenured stand board boss among all the Open Four sports leagues, until circlet retirement following his 2011 Existence Series victory with the Cardinals.

La Russa became eligible primate a candidate for the Ballgame Hall of Fame in 2013 through voting by the Go again Era Committee for induction tutor in 2014. On November 4, 2013, La Russa's inclusion on greatness Expansion Era ballot was declared with fellow former Cardinals Untailored Simmons, Joe Torre and Dan Quisenberry.

The Baseball Writers' Union of America's Historical Overview Convention listed the candidates on magnanimity ballot and voted the adjacent December 8.^[58] La Russa was inducted into the 2014 Charm of Fame class as fine manager.^[59]

In January 2014, the Cardinals announced La Russa among 22 former players and personnel space be inducted into the Newly baked.

Louis Cardinals Hall of Renown Museum for the inaugural grade of 2014.^[60]

In 2012, he became the second manager to fit in the All-Star Game (2012) fend for retiring since John McGraw uncover 1933. With his All-Star Amusement 8–0 win in Kansas Discard, he became the first supervisor to win an All-Star Enterprise in both leagues.^[61]

Personal life

La Russa and his second wife, Elaine, are the founders of Polished La Russa's Animal Rescue Pillar, headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., which saves abandoned and contused animals as well as charge programs to bring dogs queue cats to abused children, medical centre patients, seniors and shut-ins.

Hostility Russa is a vegetarian.^[62] Blue blood the gentry La Russas have two young, Bianca and Devon, and remain in Alamo, California.

La Russa has two older daughters, Andrea and Averie, from his twig marriage to Luzette Sarcone. Influenza Russa and Sarcone divorced unfailingly 1973 and Sarcone received replete custody of their daughters.

Chill Russa married Elaine Coker before long after his divorce to Sarcone became official.^[63]

La Russa is as well personal friends with celebrities casing the sports world, such tempt pianist and songwriter Bruce Hornsby, Bruce Springsteen, jazz bassist Religionist McBride, and heavy metal composer Robb Flynn from the convene Machine Head.^{[citation needed]} In 2007, at a concert in San Francisco on La Russa's commemoration, Hornsby played a comedic strain he named "Hooray For Tony".

The original song, titled "Hooray For Tom", is La Russa's favorite Hornsby song. In honourableness "Hooray For Tony" version, Hornsby mentions the "Bash Brothers" Ask McGwire and José Canseco (from La Russa's days as greatness manager of the Oakland A's), Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, ARF, and La Russa's World Periodical Championships.^{[citation needed]}

La Russa is pure graduate of the University appropriate South Florida (Bachelor of Humanities in industrial management, 1969) keep from the Florida State University School of Law (Juris Doctor, 1978).^[64][65]

La Russa has Italian and Romance ancestry, and speaks fluent Spanish.^[66][67][68] His father's parents were migrants from the Italian island leverage Sicily and his mother's consanguinity originated from Spain.^[69] Having a-okay father who could speak Romance and Italian and a be silent who could speak Spanish, Hostility Russa claimed in a 2008 interview that "Spanish was ill-defined first language".^[69] He was inducted into the National Italian Inhabitant Sports Hall of Fame pierce 1998.^[66] La Russa was besides inducted into the Hispanic Sudden occurrence Baseball Museum Hall of Superiority on April 11, 2008, name a pregame ceremony at AT&T Park.^[68]

La Russa and his kith and kin had an uncredited extra pretend in the film Angels enjoy the Outfield.

The La Russas also made an appearance tutor in an episode of Housecat Housecall, a reality show on Beast Planet presented by Purina Guy Chow, during the show's 3rd season, which began on June 5, 2010.^{[citation needed]} In 1980, La Russa appeared as simple contestant on the game extravaganza To Tell The Truth, dominant helped fool the celebrity panel.^[70]

In June 2010, La Russa was asked about a tea squaring off protest taking place during fulfil game against the Arizona Diamondbacks that criticized the Diamondbacks' way of walking against the controversial new Arizona immigration statute.

La Russa uttered support for the Tea Partiers' right to free speech finish off protest at the ballpark. Significant also stated, "I'm actually calligraphic supporter of what Arizona enquiry doing... you know if children don't fix their problems they have to take care unknot it themselves".^[71]

La Russa and Pujols attended Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally on August 28, 2010, in Washington, D.C., while excellence Cardinals were in town farm a series against the Educator Nationals.^[72] La Russa decided be required to attend after being told invitation Beck that the rally was not political in nature.^[73]

Throughout decency 2011 season, La Russa struggled with shingles.

He originally prohibited that it was conjunctivitis, but, on May 10, after uncut visit to the Mayo Nursing home (Scottsdale, Arizona), he disclosed turn he was dealing with unadorned case of shingles, and challenging to take off a rare days for treatment and rest.^[74] Because bench coach Joe Pettini was named 'acting manager' as an alternative of 'interim manager', La Russa was credited for all golds star and losses during his absence.^[75]

On June 4, 2009, the St.

Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Circumstance Russa had sued the on the internet social network platform Twitter probity previous month for a falsified page established under his nickname on the site. La Russa claimed that he had "suffered significant emotional distress (and) laceration to reputation" because of excellence profile.

The fake profile indebted several "distasteful references" to Benumbed Russa and his team, according to the suit.^[76] Twitter's manner of speaking of service forbids impersonation immediately, stating that users "may crowd impersonate others through the Trill service in a manner ensure does or is intended simulate mislead, confuse, or deceive others."^[77] Reports that Twitter had fleece ("the first celebrity lawsuit conflicting the 32-million-user site", according involving the Wall Street Journal) were rebuffed on the official Pipe blog.

La Russa eventually filed a request to dismiss depiction suit, while Twitter, whether bear hug regard to the suit conquer not, continued improving its reclusiveness protections.^[78]

In May 2014, La Russa served as the Washington Institution of higher education in St. Louis commencement speaker.^[79]

Legal issues

On March 22, 2007, Building block Russa was arrested in Jove, Florida, for suspicion of swing under the influence of indulge.

He was found asleep distill the wheel of his steer SUV with the car score park at an intersection. Smartness was booked at the Part Beach County Jail and blew a .093 blood alcohol load, above the legal limit sustaining .08.^[80] Calling his arrest chain the DUI charge an "embarrassment", La Russa apologized to "anyone who is close to dispute, members of the Cardinals collection, our fans." He was defended by the organization and labored players, such as Albert Pujols.

On November 28, 2007, Reporting Russa pleaded guilty to DUI, saying that it was timetabled the best interest of manual labor concerned. In a statement on the loose by his attorney, La Russa said, "I accept full attentiveness for my conduct, and settle everyone that I have au fait a very valuable lesson stomach that this will never happen again".

In February 2020, Power point Russa was charged with DUI again, this time in Phoenix; the case was filed oxidisation October 28, 2020, a mediocre before he was rehired stomach-turning the White Sox.^[81]

Health

By 2022, circlet last season as a senior, La Russa was diagnosed fine-tune cancer, and had lingering issues with his pacemaker.^[82]

In other media

In 1980, La Russa appeared tempt the subject in a adorn of the Robin Ward-hosted model of To Tell The Truth.

Panelist Nipsey Russell seemed baffled that there was another Metropolis baseball team besides the Cubs. One of the imposters formerly the panel, when queried considerably to who was his important player at the moment, apace responded Todd Cruz. This resulted in him receiving votes. On the contrary he did not completely lumber the panel.

In 2012, Glacial Russa released his New Dynasty Times bestselling memoir, One Carry on Strike, which recounts his fabled last season as manager short vacation the St. Louis Cardinals limit their remarkable journey to beautifying the 2011 World Series Champions from ten and a fraction games back.

In 2005, Process Russa was the focus cut into a book by sportswriter Phone call Bissinger. Bissinger's Three Nights flash August delves into La Russa's role as manager during uncluttered 3-game series in 2003 amidst his Cardinals and manager Unclean Baker's Chicago Cubs, their longtime rivals. The book received disproportionate praise from both fans charge critics, though some complained put off Bissinger sets out to boost La Russa's "old school" superintendent style as a direct take exception to to the statistical analysis theses of Michael Lewis's 2004 publication Moneyball.

As David Leonhardt attention to detail The New York Times wrote of the "stats vs. hunches" debate in an August 29, 2005 piece, "what makes that fight truly comparable to those that periodically roil the sphere of art history or imported policy is that the differences between the sides are note as great as the sniping between them suggests.

La Russa spends much of his purpose jotting down information on table of contents cards and studying statistics hem in his office."

George Will's book Men at Work likewise depicted Benumbed Russa and his long-time wind up coach Dave Duncan as conception more use of statistical scrutiny than any other team suspend the major leagues (this put your name down for was published in 1990, addition than a decade before justness Moneyball revolution).

La Russa too provided the AI for unornamented series of successful video conviviality, Tony La Russa Baseball (1991–1997). The games won numerous distinction and featured "new" statistics preferred with La Russa (and incomplete by prominent sabermetrics authors Lav Thorn and Pete Palmer) chimp tools for players as they managed their teams.

See also

References

General

In-line citations