Hall of Fame director Tony La Russa leaves the dugout for good. La Russa announced his retirement from management on Monday, weeks after leaving the Chicago White Sox after undergoing medical surgery on his pacemaker.
La Russa also announced that a “second medical condition was also diagnosed” during a physical that makes me “impossible to be manager of the White Sox in 2023”. La Russa did not explain the “second medical problem” while requesting “confidentiality related to my health problems”. He added that “my overall prognosis is good”.
“At no time this season have either issue negatively affected my responsibilities as manager of the White Sox,” the statement from La Russa read. “However, it has become apparent that the length of the treatment and recovery process from this second medical condition precludes me from being manager of the White Sox in 2023.”
La Russa leaves the game as one of the most accomplished managers in MLB history. In 35 years as a manager, La Russa has won 2,897 games, won six pennants and lifted three World Series titles. Only Connie Mack has more wins as a manager.
La Russa’s managerial career spanned six decades. He spent his first eight and a half seasons with the White Sox. After being fired, La Russa joined Oakland Athletics in 1986. Between 1988 and 1990, La Russa led the team to the World Series for three consecutive seasons. The team won it all in 1989.
In 1996, La Russa joined the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent 16 seasons with the team, posting losing years only three times. La Russa led the Cardinals to the World Series three times, winning two. His last World Series victory came in 2011. La Russa retired after the season.
After a decade of no management, La Russa has been tapped to lead the White Sox for the 2021 MLB season. The White Sox performed well in his first season, going 93-69. The team lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Houston Astros.
White Sox disappoint in Tony La Russa’s final season
Things fell apart in 2022. The White Sox stumbled and never recovered. The team went 78-80 under La Russa and missed the playoffs, making it one of the biggest disappointments of the 2022 MLB season. La Russa received quite a bit of criticism for his unusual tactics. There were several instances in which he issued walks to batters with 1-2 counts.
“Our team’s record this season is the latest reality,” La Russa continued. “It’s an unacceptable disappointment. There were upsides, but too many downsides. In the major leagues, you either do it or you don’t. …
“I was hired to provide positive leadership and support that makes a difference. Our record is proof of that. I didn’t do my job. »
La Russa left the team at the end of August under doctor’s orders. He reportedly had a problem with his pacemaker, which doctors corrected. La Russa stayed away from the team for a few weeks under the orders of his doctor.
It appeared that La Russa tended to return in September, but further testing resulted in another procedure, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. It has been determined that La Russa will not return for the remainder of the 2022 MLB season.
The White Sox got off to a good start under interim manager Miguel Cairo, but were swept away in a pivotal series against the Cleveland Guardians. The team spat from there, starting an eight-game losing streak and getting knocked out of the playoffs.