|
Tony Larussa Newsbeat
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf always told folks his greatest regret was firing Tony La Russa back in the ’80s, understandable since La Russa wound up winning three World Series, getting to six, and carving out a Hall of Fame managing career in Oakland and St. Louis.
But the way things are going on Chicago’s South Side, Reinsdorf’s second greatest regret may become not firing La Russa a second time.
(Reinsdorf said through a spokesman he isn’t planning on commenting on La Russa or the team at this time.)
The White Sox owner remains the most famously loyal team owner in sports, and the suspicion for now is he will stick with La Russa. Normal circumstances dictate some breaking point, but this is about two lifelong friends who are uber successful and equally headstrong, so who knows?
Warning to Sox fans: Sources say La Russa’s deal, at about $3.75 million annually, extends into next season, too.
The South Side faithful have begun to chant “Fire Tony,” a catchy shorthand request. But beyond the fact that that’s our job, a more dignified sendoff is probably in order for arguably the greatest manager over the past half century. While he’s related well to players at 77, his in-game decisions are growing bizarre. And at some point, reasonably, it must be stopped.
Friday, June 10, 2022
White Sox manager Tony La Russa said that while Max Muncy did break open the game with a three-run homer in the sixth inning after he ordered an intentional walk to Trea Turner with a 1-2 count in Chicago’s 11-9 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, he defended the thinking behind the call.
Down 6-5 after Freddie Freeman hit an RBI single in the sixth off left-hander Bennett Sousa, who then bounced an 0-2 slider for a wild pitch that allowed Freeman to take second, La Russa ordered the intentional walk to the right-handed-hitting Turner, who had singled in a run in the fifth.
“He’s got two strikes, Tony!” a fan yelled.
Muncy, whose two-run double off Dylan Cease put the Dodgers ahead 5-4 in the fifth, worked the count to 2-2 and sliced a slider to the opposite field and into the left-field seats, his fourth home run this season.
La Russa said after the game that he doesn’t think he did anything wrong.
“Is there some question about whether that was good move or not?’’ La Russa, a 77-year-old Hall of Famer, said. “Do you know what [Turner] hits against left-handed pitching with 0-1 or two strikes? Do you know what Muncy hits with two strikes against a left-handed pitcher? Is that really a question? We had an open base and Muncy happened to be the guy behind him and that’s a better matchup.
“Somebody disagrees, that’s the beauty of this game, they’re welcome to it. But that wasn’t a tough call.”
Monday, May 30, 2022
White Sox manager Tony La Russa says he both likes and respects San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler, but disagrees with his form of protest as it relates to the latest mass shooting.
Kapler wrote this week he’ll remain inside the Giants’ clubhouse while the national anthem is being played before games. La Russa believes in the cause just not Kapler’s actions.
“I think he’s exactly right to be concerned ... with what’s happening in our country,” La Russa said before his team hosted the Cubs on Saturday night. “He’s right there. Where I disagree is the flag and the anthem are not appropriate places to try to voice your objections.”
Nineteen children and two teachers were killed at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday. Shortly thereafter, Kapler penned an article explaining why he can no longer stand outside while the anthem is being played, writing he’s “not okay with the state of this country.”
“When I was the same age as the children in Uvalde, my father taught me to stand for the pledge of allegiance when I believed my country was representing its people well or to protest and stay seated when it wasn’t,” Kapler wrote. “I don’t believe it is representing us well right now.”
La Russa reiterated his respect for Kapler’s intentions but thinks his form of protesting is disrespectful to servicemen and women.
“Some of their courage comes from what the flag means to them and when they hear the anthem,” La Russa said. “You need to understand what the veterans think when they hear the anthem or see the flag. And the cost they paid and their families. And if you truly understand that, I think it’s impossible not to salute the flag and listen to the anthem.”
|
You must be logged in to view your Bookmarks.
Hot Topics
Newsblog: Fernando Tatis Jr. suspended, tests positive for banned substance (25 - 2:48pm, Aug 14)Last: dejarouehgNewsblog: Rodolfo Castro loses phone while diving into third in Pirates’ loss (38 - 2:40pm, Aug 14)Last: Never Give an Inge (Dave)Newsblog: OMNICHATTER for the week of August 8-15, 2022 (266 - 2:36pm, Aug 14)Last:  I don't want to talk about RoccoNewsblog: OT Soccer Thread - European Leages Return (26 - 2:32pm, Aug 14)Last: Miserable, Non-Binary Candy is all we deserve CoBNewsblog: 2022 NBA Playoffs thread (4154 - 2:26pm, Aug 14)Last:  MoeballSox Therapy: Predictions of Ridiculousness (71 - 2:02pm, Aug 14)Last: Captain Joe Bivens, Pointless and WonderfulHall of Merit: 2023 Hall of Merit Ballot Discussion (170 - 1:09pm, Aug 14)Last:  Eric J can SABER all he wants toNewsblog: Mets Announce Old Timers’ Day Roster (18 - 1:03pm, Aug 14)Last: BantaNewsblog: SI:Is Nationals Starter Patrick Corbin Having the Worst Pitching Season Ever? (10 - 10:34am, Aug 14)Last: RallyNewsblog: Pete Rose brushes off question about alleged sex with minor: ‘It was 55 years ago, babe’ (102 - 6:49am, Aug 14)Last:  David Nieporent (now, with children)Newsblog: How Government Devastated Minor League Baseball (4 - 12:56am, Aug 14)Last: AstrosOldTimerNewsblog: ‘A League of Their Own’: There’s Still No Crying in Baseball — Just Room for Fixing Old Errors (67 - 9:49pm, Aug 13)Last: Hombre BrotaniNewsblog: Detroit Tigers fire general manager Al Avila after seven seasons (27 - 6:40pm, Aug 13)Last: sunday silence (again)Newsblog: Francisco Lindor is now underrated (6 - 5:11pm, Aug 13)Last: bookbookNewsblog: The Orioles' advantage is hiding in plain sight (12 - 2:02pm, Aug 13)Last: Dingbat_Charlie
|