Tony La Russa

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Lore & Background

La Russa's path to management began in the minor leagues after a shoulder injury during the 1964–65 off-season limited his playing time. While finishing his playing career in the minors until retiring in 1977, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University and was admitted to the Florida Bar on July 30, 1980. Despite having the legal credentials to practice, he famously stated, "I decided I'd rather ride the buses in the minor leagues than practice law for a living." His first major league managerial opportunity came mid-season in 1979 with the Chicago White Sox, replacing Don Kessinger. He led the team to an American League West division title four seasons later and earned American League Manager of the Year honors in 1983. After being fired by the White Sox in 1986 following a 26–38 start, he joined the Oakland Athletics less than three weeks later. There, he inherited a struggling team but guided them to three consecutive American League championships from 1988 to 1990 and the 1989 World Series title against the San Francisco Giants.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Busch Stadium is thick with anticipation as La Russa leads the Cardinals through two World Series victories. After leaving Oakland following the 1995 season, he took over the St. Louis Cardinals. Under his leadership, the team secured three National League championships and won the World Series in 2006 and 2011. His time with the A's was marked by dramatic moments, including sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS in both 1988 and 1990 after winning 100 and 99 games respectively. The 1988 World Series is remembered for the Kirk Gibson game-winning home run off A's closer Dennis Eckersley. Throughout his tenure with the Cardinals, La Russa worked alongside catcher Dave Duncan, whom he first met as a player with the Athletics; Duncan joined his coaching staff in Chicago in 1983 and stayed on every team thereafter. La Russa retired after winning the 2011 title, ending a run of 34 seasons as a major league manager.

Reader's Guide

La Russa managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 1996 until his retirement in 2011 following their World Series win. During this period, he secured two World Series titles for the franchise (2006 and 2011) and three National League championships. His managerial approach was defined by a long-standing partnership with Dave Duncan, who served on every team La Russa managed starting in Chicago in 1983. Before his Cardinals tenure, La Russa built his reputation with the White Sox and Athletics. He earned three American League Manager of the Year awards (1983, 1988, 1992) and led the A's to a historic run of three consecutive pennants from 1988 to 1990. His career total of 2,884 wins places him second in MLB history behind Connie Mack. La Russa was known for his strategic acumen, often credited with advancing the use of specialized bullpens. He is one of a select group of managers who graduated from law school or passed a state bar exam.

Did You Know?

• La Russa earned a Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University and was admitted to the Florida Bar on July 30, 1980, though he chose not to practice law.
• He made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs as a pinch runner in one game on April 6, 1973, scoring the walk-off winning run.
• La Russa worked with catcher Dave Duncan on every team he managed after first meeting him while playing for the Athletics.
• In 2013, he was unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame by the 16-member Veterans Committee.
• His managerial total of 2,884 MLB wins is second only to Connie Mack's.

Managerial Achievements and Records

La Russa managed for 35 seasons, accumulating 2,884 MLB wins, which ranks second only to Connie Mack. He led the Oakland Athletics to three consecutive American League championships from 1988 to 1990 and the 1989 World Series title. With the St. Louis Cardinals, he secured three National League championships and won the World Series in 2006 and 2011. Across his career with the White Sox, Athletics, and Cardinals, he earned six league championships and 13 division titles.

The Journey from Player to Law Student

Born on October 4, 1944, in Tampa, Florida, La Russa was signed by the Kansas City Athletics in June 1962 with a clause paying for his education at the University of South Florida. He made his major league debut on May 10, 1963. A shoulder injury sustained while playing softball during the 1964–65 off-season limited him to 34 games that year and affected his career thereafter. He played parts of five major league seasons with the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Cubs, appearing in 132 total games with a .199 batting average. After retiring as a player in 1977, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University and was admitted to the Florida Bar on July 30, 1980.

Defining Tenures Across Three Franchises

La Russa became manager of the Chicago White Sox mid-season in 1979 after replacing Don Kessinger. He led them to an American League West division title four seasons later and was named American League Manager of the Year in 1983. Fired by the White Sox in 1986, he joined the Oakland Athletics less than three weeks later. There, he won three consecutive American League championships (1988–1990) and the 1989 World Series. He left Oakland after the 1995 season to manage the St. Louis Cardinals, leading them to three National League championships and World Series titles in 2006 and 2011. Throughout his managerial career, he worked with Dave Duncan on every team.

Legacy Beyond the Dugout

La Russa retired after winning the 2011 title and completing 34 seasons as a major league manager. Three months later, he joined Joe Torre as executive vice president for MLB operations. In 2014, he became chief baseball officer for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and in November 2019, he joined the Los Angeles Angels as a senior advisor of baseball operations. He returned to manage the White Sox in the 2021 offseason before retiring again in 2022 due to health concerns. In 2013, he was unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee and inducted on July 27, 2014. On August 16, 2014, he was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.