Chicago White Sox Hire Tony La Russa

The Chicago White Sox have hired Tony La Russa as their new manager. La Russa, 76, replaces Rick Renteria was the White Sox manager. Renteria was fired on October 12, 2020 after 4 seasons (2017-2020). Renteria's White Sox made the playoffs for their first time since 2008, but lost to the Oakland Athletics in 3 games in the Wild Card round.  

La Russa, last managed the St. Louis Cardinals 2011. Under La Russa that season, the Cardinals won their 11th World Series title after defeating the Texas Rangers in 7 games. La Russa retired as manager three days after the World Series. Since retiring at manager, La Russa has word in the front office for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, and most recently the Los Angeles Angels. 

Before managing the Cardinals in 1996, La Russa managed the Oakland Athletics for 10 seasons (1986-1995). Who did La Russa manage before the Athletics, and the Cardinals? La Russa managed the White Sox for 8 seasons (1979-1986). Under La Russa, the White Sox didn't have much success. The White Sox only had 3 winning seasons, making the playoffs in only one of them (1983). La Russa's 83 White Sox lost in 4 games to the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS. The White Sox fired Tony La Russa on June 19, 1986 after a 26-38 start. White Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf signed off on La Russa being fired. Over the years, La Russa and Reinsdorf have remained great friends. Reinsdorf has always said that he regrets signing off on La Russa being fired. 

La Russa would go onto the find success with the Athletics, and the Cardinals. La Russa led the Athletics to 3 World Series appearances (1988, 1989, 1990). The Athletics won the World Series in 1989 by sweeping the San Francisco Giants in 4 games. With the Cardinals, La Russ led them to 3 World Series appearances (2004, 2006, 2011). The Cardinals won the World Series in 2006, and 2011. 

Overall, La Russa has managed 33 seasons in the MLB. La Russa has managed 5,097 games with a record of 2,728 wins, 2,365 losses, 4 ties, and a .536 winning percentage. In the playoffs, La Russa is 70-58 with a .547 winning percentage. La Russa has won the World Series 3 times: 1989, 2006, and 2011. La Russa has won Manager of the Year 4 times: 1983, 1988, 1992, and 2002. 

La Russa currently ranks 3rd all-time in wins as a manager. The only two managers who have more wins than La Russa are: Connie Mack 3,731, and John McGraw 2,763. La Russa needs just 36 wins to move into 2nd place in all-time wins for managers. That would be an amazing milestone to see happen. Something fans should keep in mind too.

La Russa will be the first manager ever to return to managing after being elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. There's people who think that La Russa is too old to manage. But, do people recall Jack McKeon? McKeon, was 72 in 2003. He ended up taking over the Florida Marlins (now known as Miami Marlins), who were 16-22. After McKeon took over, the Marlins went 75-49 and ending up winning the World Series in 6 games over the New York Yankees. McKeon hadn't hadn't even managed a MLB game since 2000, when he was the Cincinnati Reds manager. La Russa might be able to do well this time around with the White Sox. 

The Cardinals will travel to Chicago in May 2021 to play the White Sox. The Cardinals will be there May 24-26. Could there be former Cardinals joining La Russa with the White Sox? It also will be interesting to see who La Russa puts on his coaching staff in 2021. La Russa will be the oldest manager in the MLB.