Even legends must call it a day at some point. After missing the final three weeks of the regular season due to health issues, Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa has announced he’s stepping down as the Chicago White Sox manager.
There are a lot of legends and greats in and around the MLB, and especially on a team as old and prestigious as the Chicago White Sox (which was founded over 100 years ago back in 1894). Though, there are few men more noteworthy and famous in the dugout than Tony La Russa.
Simply put, the man is a living legend as he not only is the winningest manager in the MLB today (2,728 wins), but was also already named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. He’s been coaching for two years AFTER already being named to the Hall of Fame, and his entire second stint with the White Sox (which he won another division title) wasn’t even considered for that honor. That’s crazy!
Nevertheless, the 78-year-old legend has finally decided after 59 years in the MLB, managing three different organizations in the Chicago White Sox (1979-86; 2020-22), the Oakland Athletics (1986-95), and the St. Louis Cardinals (1996-2011), and winning three World Series (1989 Oakland Athletics; 2006 St. Louis Cardinals; 2011 St. Louis Cardinals), it was time to walk away due to persistent heart issues.
It’s never good to have to see a legend of the game be forced to walk away due to an injury/health scare, though in La Russa’s case, this retirement has definitely not come prematurely. There’s nothing in the MLB or the sport of baseball that Tony La Russa hasn’t won or achieved.
In addition to his three world series titles and 2,728 wins, La Russa also managed for 43 years, he won 13 division titles, six pennants, and he never suffered a 100-loss season. There are only two other managers (Joe Torre and John McGraw) in MLB history that can boast of such an achievement.
La Rosa has been a winner for nearly 60 years in the MLB and should walk away with the pride that comes with being so good at his profession.
Now, the big question that still remains…where does La Rosa stand on the all-time managerial list?
Personally, I still think he’s in the range of 3-5 for the greatest MLB managers of all-time. New York Yankees greats Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel both surpass La Russa in World Series wins (McCarthy: 7, Stengel: 7), while Philadelphia Athletics legend Connie Mack has a lot more win (3,731) and beats him in managerial longevity too (53 years as a manager).
Still, to be named in such company is an honor of itself. Congratulations on your career, Tony La Russa, and enjoy retirement. You’ve more than earned it!
