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Thursday, October 29, 2020

White Sox name Tony La Russa new manager

The year is 1979. Rocky II rules the box office. Jane Byrne is Mayor. Ralph Garr is in left field. And Tony LaRussa runs the White Sox.

La Russa, a close friend of chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, had been rumored to be a potential replacement ever since Renteria’s departure, but many remained skeptical he would get the job despite his Hall of Fame resume that includes three World Series championships, mostly because of his age and lengthy absence from managing since he won his last title with the Cardinals in 2011.

“While I have had other inquiries about managing since retiring, this opportunity with the White Sox brings together a number of important factors that make this the right time and the right place,” La Russa said. “The on-field talent is amazing, and the front office, led by [vice president] Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn, has done everything necessary to create an atmosphere of long-term success. All of those factors aligned to make this a tremendous opportunity, and I am excited to get going as soon as possible by building a coaching staff and getting to work.”

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:19 PM | 75 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:21 PM (#5986482)

LaRussa is the first manager to manage while in the Hall of Fame.

2. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:26 PM (#5986487)

Thanks AG#1F - answered the question I posed in the other Sox thread. So...I had heard the rumors but am still surprised by this. What think we?

I'm a bit skeptical that "Tony LaRussa" and "2020 baseball" are going to be a great fit.

3. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:29 PM (#5986491)

hahahahahahahahaha

4. The Yankee Clapper Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:35 PM (#5986498)

A proud day for septuagenarians everywhere! Cheers!

5. Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama

Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:36 PM (#5986499)

LaRussa is the first manager to manage while in the Hall of Fame.

Huh? Frank Robinson and Ted Williams frantically wave among others.

6. Jose Needs an Absurd Ukulele Concert Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:36 PM (#5986500)

2 - I think this is crazypants. Chris Jaffe laid it out well in his book on managers but older managers do lose their stuff. I can't imagine being out of the dugout for a decade is going to make it better. I am highly skeptical of this one.

7. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:37 PM (#5986503)

LaRussa is the first manager to manage while in the Hall of Fame.

Huh? Frank Robinson and Ted Williams frantically wave among others.

he means among people elected to the Hall as a manager

I assume his first order of business will be to convince Harold Baines to come out of retirement

8. winnipegwhip Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:38 PM (#5986504)

Good news for PED dealers on the Southside.

9. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:39 PM (#5986505)

I assume his first order of business will be to convince Harold Baines to come out of retirement

He could be the new Minnie Minoso.

10. winnipegwhip Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:47 PM (#5986510)

So he will be older then Casey Stengel when Casey left the New York....Mets!

11. Itchy Row Posted: October 29, 2020 at 02:54 PM (#5986514)

The last day LaRussa worked for the White Sox was June 20, 1986. The starting pitcher for the Sox that night was Tom Seaver.

12. The Yankee Clapper Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:05 PM (#5986516)

When Connie Mack was LaRussa’s age, he had another 11 managerial years left in him. Should be no problem for Tony, eh?

13. Jeff Francoeur's OPS Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:07 PM (#5986517)

How do they plan to protect him from Covid? At his age, he's very high risk for a poor outcome.

14. Howie Menckel Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:08 PM (#5986519)

La Russa's first White Sox squad - he went 27-27 in 1979 after replacing Don Kessinger for the stretch run - wasn't exactly a model of positional stability.

the main cast of characters, with starts per position:

C Milt May 59, Bill Nahorodny 43, Marv Foley 29, Mike Colbern 26
1B Lamar Johnson 90, Mike Squires 69
2B Alan Bannister 63, Jim Morrison 41, Jorge Orta 34, Greg Pryor 16
3B Kevin Bell 59, Eric Soderholm 55, Morrison 21
SS Pryor 107, Kessinger 36, Harry Chappas 16
LF Ralph Garr 63, Bannister 45, Junior Moore 32
CF Chet Lemon 147
RF Claudell Washington 112, Rusty Torres 24
DH Orta 64, Wayne Nordhagen 47, LJohnson 37

IP
Ken Kravec 250, Rich Wortham 204, Ross Baumgarten 191, Steve Trout 155, Francisco Barrios 94
Randy Scarborough 101, Mike Proly 88, Ed Farmer 81, Fred Howard 68, Rich Hinton 42

cups of coffee included Rusty Kuntz, LaMarr Hoyt, Britt Burns, Ron Schueler, Rich Dotson, and Lerrin LaGrow

15. Zonk Opposes Trial by Combat Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:14 PM (#5986521)

This is... something.

16. McCoy Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:15 PM (#5986522)

I'm a bit skeptical that "Tony LaRussa" and "2020 baseball" are going to be a great fit.

Sure because he already missed the season.

17. Itchy Row Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:18 PM (#5986524)

LaRussa is 35 regular season wins behind John McGraw for second place behind Mack. He's already second in games and losses. This will be his 34th season as a manager, which moves him out of a tie for second with McGraw.

18. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:22 PM (#5986525)

Managers younger than Tony LaRussa (76)

Dusty Baker (71)
Joe Maddon (66)
Ned Yost (66)
Terry Collins (71)
Ron Washington (68)
Jim Leyland (75)
Buddy Bell (69)
Bob Boone (72)
Art Howe (73)
Larry Bowa (74)
Larry Dierker (74)
Tom Kelly (70)
Gene Lamont (73)
Ray Miller (75)
Kevin Kennedy (66)
Tom Trebelhorn (72)
John Wathan (71)

19. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:22 PM (#5986526)

Tony La Russa is older than Jim Leyland. He's also older than Jack McKeon was when he retired in 2005. But not older than McKeon when he was the interim manager in 2011.

20. asinwreck Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:28 PM (#5986527)

The man who made Ken Harrelson GM is still the man who made Ken Harrelson GM.

21. asinwreck Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:32 PM (#5986528)

I remember when La Russa came up as the youngest manager in the game. Old scribes noted that having a law degree was unusual and pointed to Hall of Famer Miller Huggins as as successful example.

La Russa became manager after Don Kessinger resigned. Kessinger followed Larry Doby, who lasted half a season after Bob Lemon was essentially released to take over the Yankees. Lemon replaced Paul Richards, a legendary manager brought back by Bill Veeck to chase glory one more time in 1976. Richards' final team was bad enough to earn the 1st pick in the 1977 draft.

Paul Richards was a decade younger than La Russa is today when Veeck brought him back.

22. Itchy Row Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:35 PM (#5986529)

La Russa was born the day the St. Louis Browns played Game One of their only World Series.

23. Nasty Nate Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:36 PM (#5986530)

Managers younger than Tony LaRussa (76)

Dusty Baker (71)
Joe Maddon (66)
Ned Yost (66)
Terry Collins (71)
Ron Washington (68)
Jim Leyland (75)
Buddy Bell (69)
Bob Boone (72)
Art Howe (73)
Larry Bowa (74)
Larry Dierker (74)
Tom Kelly (70)
Gene Lamont (73)
Ray Miller (75)
Kevin Kennedy (66)
Tom Trebelhorn (72)
John Wathan (71)

I would have thought the list was longer!

24. JJ1986 Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:41 PM (#5986532)

Why?

25. Rally Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:44 PM (#5986535)

Which manager younger than LaRussa last managed the longest time ago? For example, Trebelhorn last managed in 1994.

26. asinwreck Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:44 PM (#5986536)

The list is longer. La Russa contemporary Rene Lachemann, for example, is 75. Maybe he's not on the list because he last managed in 2002?

27. Walt Davis Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:45 PM (#5986538)

The Sox are a rising young team that just had their breakthrough season. I don't know if there's a worse (realistic) candidate to take over this team than LaRussa.

28. asinwreck Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:46 PM (#5986539)

Bill Plummer is 73. He last managed in 1992.

29. Itchy Row Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:52 PM (#5986542)

Wathan last managed in 1992.

The A's interim manager before they hired La Russa in 1986 was Jeff Newman. Newman is four years younger than La Russa and hasn't managed since then.

30. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:57 PM (#5986544)

Jeff Newman is younger than La Russa and last managed in 1986. Although that was only 10 games as interim for the A's before they hired... Tony La Russa.

Mike Ferraro last managed in 1986 but he's slightly older. (Quick, what team did the immortal Mike Ferraro manage in 1986)

31. Nasty Nate Posted: October 29, 2020 at 04:00 PM (#5986545)

4. JJ1986 Posted: October 29, 2020 at 03:41 PM (#5986532)
Why?

Because I don't understand what the list is, I guess. Almost all managers have been younger than 76.

32. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 29, 2020 at 04:01 PM (#5986546)

The White Sox have acquired designated hitter Harold Baines.

33. Harmon "Thread Killer" Microbrew Posted: October 29, 2020 at 04:01 PM (#5986547)

Quick, what team did the immortal Mike Ferraro manage in 1986

For absolutely no reason, I will guess Seattle.

34. The Mighty Quintana Posted: October 29, 2020 at 04:04 PM (#5986549)

Let me revise said title: "Managers eligible for Medicare who are younger than Tony LaRussa"

35. bunyon Posted: October 29, 2020 at 04:16 PM (#5986553)

36. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: October 29, 2020 at 04:25 PM (#5986556)

31: the list is of CURRENT ages of ex-managers who we may think of as fossils, but who are still younger than TLR.

37. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: October 29, 2020 at 04:43 PM (#5986557)

LaRussa is even (reportedly) older than Julio Franco.

38. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: October 29, 2020 at 04:47 PM (#5986559)

For some reason, the email announcement sent out by the Sox had AJ Hinch’s signature in it. Were they on the verge of hiring Hinch before they went with LaRussa? Or did someone recycle an old graphic from the Astros?

39. winnipegwhip Posted: October 29, 2020 at 04:51 PM (#5986560)

LaRussa is 35 regular season wins behind John McGraw for second place behind Mack. He's already second in games and losses. This will be his 34th season as a manager, which moves him out of a tie for second with McGraw.

He is going to pull a Kruk and as the Sox win game 36 he is going to walk.

40. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: October 29, 2020 at 04:57 PM (#5986562)

Only 6 major league managers in 2020 were older than Julio Franco (born 1958). Surprisingly this includesg the one named "Brian". I probably would have guessed 4 out of 6.

41. Slivers of Maranville descends into chaos (SdeB) Posted: October 29, 2020 at 05:07 PM (#5986563)

31: the list is of CURRENT ages of ex-managers who we may think of as fossils, but who are still younger than TLR.

Did Dusty Baker get fired and I didn't hear about it?

42. Itchy Row Posted: October 29, 2020 at 05:21 PM (#5986565)

If the White Sox go at least 152-10, La Russa will pass Bobby Cox for the third most games over .500 in a career. They'll still lose in the first round.

43. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: October 29, 2020 at 06:10 PM (#5986571)

31: the list is of CURRENT ages of ex-managers who we may think of as fossils, but who are still younger than TLR.

Did Dusty Baker get fired and I didn't hear about it?

emphasis added

44. Slivers of Maranville descends into chaos (SdeB) Posted: October 29, 2020 at 06:27 PM (#5986573)

Dusty baker is a present manager.

45. SoSH U at work Posted: October 29, 2020 at 06:35 PM (#5986574)

emphasis added

But the list Nate was asking about wasn't just ex-managers. Dusty was at the top of it. It's a list of some guys, but not all of the guys, who have managed, or are currently managing, who are younger than TLR.

Thus, his question.

46. phredbird

Posted: October 29, 2020 at 06:39 PM (#5986575)

LaRussa is 35 regular season wins behind John McGraw for second place behind Mack.

Tony Larussa played for Billy Martin.

Billy Martin played for Casey Stengel.

Casey Stengel played for John McGraw.

i don't know what to make of this. we think of it as this ancient thing, but on the other hand it isn't really. but it is. IDK.

i had a don kessinger baseball card when i was a kid. in 1965.

47. Perry Posted: October 29, 2020 at 06:57 PM (#5986579)

Tony LaRussa managed Minnie Minoso. Tony LaRussa will be managing Luis Robert.

48. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: October 29, 2020 at 07:14 PM (#5986583)

Tony LaRussa managed Minnie Minoso.

Not really. I think we can safely ignore the two, publicity stunt, PAs by a 54 y.o.

I mean, somebody could manage Willie Mays this year if you just wanted to pull a stunt.

49. McCoy Posted: October 29, 2020 at 07:15 PM (#5986584)

LaRussa had a game for Sega Genesis and I assume he'll be in the latest baseball game for PS5.

50. spycake Posted: October 29, 2020 at 07:23 PM (#5986587)

LaRussa is the first manager to manage while in the Hall of Fame.

Unless he fails to make it to opening day, like Carlos Beltran. :)

(Although that joke gets dark when you think about the most likely reasons LaRussa might not make it to opening day, given his age...)

51. Itchy Row Posted: October 29, 2020 at 07:50 PM (#5986588)

La Russa’s first manager was Eddie Lopat. Lopat’s first manager was Jimmie Dykes. Dykes’s first manager was Connie Mack, but in the first half of Mack’s career

52. Steve Balboni's Personal Trainer Posted: October 29, 2020 at 08:06 PM (#5986591)

The oldest player on LaRussa's first team (1979 White Sox) was Don Kessinger, who was 36 that season. He also was the player/manager who was fired to pave the way for LaRussa.

Kessinger was born July 17, 1942. He is alive, and 78 years old.

LaRussa was born October 4, 1944. He is alive, and 76 years old.

So he is only two years older than both the oldest player on the 1979 White Sox...who was also the manager he replaced.

53. Gch Posted: October 29, 2020 at 08:16 PM (#5986594)

LaRussa is the first manager to manage while in the Hall of Fame.

That's not true. Connie Mack was enshrined in 1937 and managed (at least in name/title) until 1950.

54. AndrewJ Posted: October 29, 2020 at 08:30 PM (#5986596)

LaRussa's first stint with the ChiSox began on August 2nd, 1979. And it was far from the biggest baseball story that afternoon.

55. Jay Z Posted: October 29, 2020 at 08:32 PM (#5986598)

The oldest player on LaRussa's first team (1979 White Sox) was Don Kessinger, who was 36 that season. He also was the player/manager who was fired to pave the way for LaRussa.

Kessinger was never on LaRussa's team. He retired as a player when he was fired. The oldest player that actually played for LaRussa on that team was Ralph Garr.

56. asinwreck Posted: October 29, 2020 at 08:35 PM (#5986599)

Kessinger is the only White Sox manager who predates La Russa and is (at the moment I write this) still alive.

57. Rally Posted: October 29, 2020 at 08:38 PM (#5986600)

At least one manager Tony will compete against for the central division, Rocco Baldelli, was not even born when Tony first managed the Sox.

58. asinwreck Posted: October 29, 2020 at 09:06 PM (#5986607)

LaRussa's first stint with the ChiSox began on August 2nd, 1979. And it was far from the biggest baseball story that afternoon.

Thurman Munson's final game also happened to be Don Kessinger's last game managing the Sox. I was in the stands for that one.

59. Srul Itza Posted: October 29, 2020 at 09:27 PM (#5986612)

So, does this mean that the South Side of Chicago is no longer the baddest part of town?

60. Tin Angel Posted: October 29, 2020 at 09:43 PM (#5986616)

So, does this mean that the South Side of Chicago is no longer the baddest part of town?

I'm pretty sure it's still Lincoln Park. There's some people you just do not want to mess with walking around there.

61. Sweatpants Posted: October 29, 2020 at 11:08 PM (#5986624)

La Russa had been the only manager ever to end his career by winning the World Series. Dick Howser, Jake Stahl, and Miller Huggins all won the Series in their final full season but managed for part of the next one as well.

62. Ziggy: social distancing since 1980 Posted: October 29, 2020 at 11:28 PM (#5986626)

Stengel should have made the mistake of being 76.

63. Brian C Posted: October 29, 2020 at 11:35 PM (#5986628)

I really love the catastrophic hilarity that might potentially result from this. But I worry that it's going to end up more like Gruden going back to the Raiders - not really all that successful, but not disastrous enough to be actually funny.

But we can hope.

64. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: October 30, 2020 at 08:22 AM (#5986639)

LaRussa's first stint with the ChiSox began on August 2nd, 1979.

That's closer to the start of World War II (1939) than it is to today.

Tony Larussa played for Billy Martin.

Billy Martin played for Casey Stengel.

Casey Stengel played for John McGraw.

And McGraw played for Ned Hanlon (also in the Hall), who played for Jack Chapman, who played for Bob "Death to Flying Things" Ferguson, whose playing career began in 1865.

65. RoyalFlush Posted: October 30, 2020 at 11:56 AM (#5986661)

Mike Ferraro last managed in 1986 but he's slightly older. (Quick, what team did the immortal Mike Ferraro manage in 1986)

Did he take over for Howser in KC?

66. Harmon "Thread Killer" Microbrew Posted: October 30, 2020 at 12:08 PM (#5986663)

So, does this mean that the South Side of Chicago is no longer the baddest part of town?

I think that ended when the big man hit the floor.

67. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: October 30, 2020 at 12:44 PM (#5986666)

Mike Ferraro last managed in 1986 but he's slightly older. (Quick, what team did the immortal Mike Ferraro manage in 1986)

Did he take over for Howser in KC?

Correct!

68. Rally Posted: October 30, 2020 at 12:45 PM (#5986667)

I think Ferraro managed the Indians

69. Rally Posted: October 30, 2020 at 12:48 PM (#5986669)

Looked him up, won’t say who got the answer right, but found that Mike Ferraro’s playing career started just 1 year after Maris hit 61 homers, same as LaRussa

70. I am Ted F'ing Williams Posted: October 30, 2020 at 12:49 PM (#5986670)

A few years ago, as bullpen management seemed to take over as the most important aspect of managing, my idea was to hire a manager that needed a cane or a walker. This way one could get about 12 more warmup pitches in by the time the manager made it to the mound to signal for a pitching change. I'm afraid LaRussa is too ambulatory to satisfy my idea.

71. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: October 30, 2020 at 01:02 PM (#5986672)

Tigers hire Hinch. The AL Central now has four managers who have won a pennant - LaRussa, Francona, Hinch, and Matheny.

72. Itchy Row Posted: October 30, 2020 at 01:07 PM (#5986673)

I really love the catastrophic hilarity that might potentially result from this. But I worry that it's going to end up more like Gruden going back to the Raiders - not really all that successful, but not disastrous enough to be actually funny.

It feels more like the returns of Art Shell and Joe Gibbs.

73. Lassus Posted: October 30, 2020 at 01:36 PM (#5986680)

Heh.

No, really, who are they hiring?

74. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: October 30, 2020 at 02:03 PM (#5986694)

Tigers hire Hinch. The AL Central now has four managers who have won a pennant - LaRussa, Francona, Hinch, and Matheny.

Rocco Baldelli won a pennant as a player on the DL!

75. JJ1986 Posted: November 09, 2020 at 09:08 PM (#5988006)

Jeff Passan:

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in February and charged with DUI a day before the team hired him, according to court records obtained by ESPN.

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Thursday, October 29, 2020

White Sox name Tony La Russa new manager

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