Sunday, 24 November 2024

Tony LaRussa

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Coaches 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Baseball
Statistics: 3 World Series Championship (1989, 2006 & 2011)
4 Manager of the Year Award (1983, 1988, 1992 & 2002)
2,728-2,365 Record
Number Retired by the St. Louis Cardinals
Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
Member of the Oakland Athletics Hall of Fame
Member of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame
Tony LaRussa first managed on the Major League level with the Chicago White Sox in 1979, where over six years, he had three sinning seasons and one playoff appearance. Chicago fired LaRussa during the 1986 season, but he earned the reputation of being highly intelligent and innovative, and he was only unemployed for three weeks before the Oakland Athletics signed him to take over as their manager.

LaRussa and Oakland was a great match. With a pair of power hitters (Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco) and a starter-turned-closer (Dennis Eckersley), Oakland won three consecutive pennants (1988-90) and captured the 1989 World Series. Following the death of Athletics’ owner, Walter A. Haas Jr. and the sale of the team, LaRussa left Oakland for the opening in St. Louis for the 1996 season.

LaRussa ran the Cardinals from 1996 to 2011, bringing St. Louis to the playoffs nine times and winning the World Series in 2006 and 2011. With his championship in 2006, LaRussa became the second manager to win the World Series in both the American League and National League.

As of this writing, LaRussa is returning to the Chicago White Sox as a manager and should pass John McGraw for second all-time in wins.
We are proud to nominate Tony LaRussa for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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