Many great managers have made an impact on the game of baseball.  Some names include Tommy Lasorda, Bruce Bochy, Joe Torre, and Casey Stengel.  In this piece, we will review the history of a man who should belong on any list of legendary baseball managers.   This man’s name is Tony La Russa.   Tony La Russa’s impact in baseball has been going on long before betting on baseball matches was even a thing.   

His baseball career as a player/manager has spanned six decades in total and leads an eventful life outside of it too. When he’s not socialising with high profile celebrity friends such as songwriter Bruce Springsteen and Jazz bassist Christian McBride, you can often see him in a casino or featuring on America’s game shows. He even earned an uncredited extra role in the film Angels in the Outfield. Let’s take an in-depth look at Tony Larussa’s career so far. 

Tony La Russa’s MLB career started in 1963 with the Kansas City Athletics after playing over 70+ games in the minors the year before. Due to a contract clause that prevented him from being sent to the minors due to a particular bonus, he spent all of his time in the majors that year. However, he only played 34 games that season due to a shoulder injury.  

La Russa spent the next six years in the minors before reemerging with the team after they moved to Oakland in 1968. He played there for four years before the team traded him to the Atlanta Braves in 1971. His final stint was with the Chicago Cubs. As a member of the Cubs, he was used as a pinch-runner in one game. 

For his entire playing career,  La Russa only batted .199.

La Russa eventually transitioned to a baseball managerial career. His first managerial job took place in 1978 as the manager of the Knoxville Sox of the Southern League, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. 

One year later, the White Sox hired La Russa as their manager. He would remain manager of the ball until 1986. During his tenure there, La Russa led the team to three winning seasons and one playoff appearance in 1983. Unfortunately, the team lost in the ALCS to the Orioles. 

Shortly after being let go by the White Sox, La Russa would find himself back on his feet as he was named manager of the Athletics. He would manage the Oakland Athletics for ten years (1986-1995). Tony La Russa would lead the Athletics on a stellar run from 1988 to 1990. He led them to three consecutive AL pennants. 

After losing the World Series to the Dodgers in 1988, Tony La Russa would win his first World Series in 1989, as the Athletics swept the San Francisco Giants. This series was known as the “Earthquake Series” since Game 3 was postponed due to the Loma Prieta earthquake that took place shortly beforehand.     

Tony La Russa’s third straight appearance in the World Series was not ideal. The Oakland A’s were swept by the Cincinnati Reds in 1990. The only other playoff appearance during La Russa’s tenure as the Athletics manager was in 1992. However, they lost to the eventual World Series Champion Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS.    

After La Russa’s tenure with the Athletics ended in 1995, he would be hired as manager of the St Louis Cardinals soon after. La Russa’s managerial period with the Cardinals was the longest stint of his career. Unsurprisingly, it was his most successful.  

La Russ’s 1st season with the Cardinals resulted in an NLCS appearance with the Atlanta Braves. After three consecutive non-playoff appearances, La Russa would lead the Cardinals to the playoffs six of the next seven years. The end of this incredible stretch would lead to Tony La Russa’s second World Series title as a manager in 2006 as the St Louis Cardinals defeated the Detroit Tigers in five games. 

Five years later, Tony La Russa would win his third title as a manager, leading the St. Louis Cardinals over the Texas Rangers in seven games. After this accomplishment, La Russa would announce his retirement.     

In 2021, La Russa would return to the dugout in his second stint as a manager of the Chicago White Sox. He managed the White Sox for two years, with a playoff appearance in his 1st year.    

Tony La Russa was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.   He is also in the St Louis Cardinals and Athletics Hall of Fame.

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