Tony La Russa has been hired as the next Chicago White Sox manager, the team announced Thursday.
La Russa, who played for, and managed the A’s in the past, will return to where he began his managerial career in 1979 when he spent nine seasons leading the White Sox.
He also hasn’t managed since 2011, but has 33 years of managerial experience, which includes three World Series championships and has been named Manager of the Year four times. He also was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
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La Russa managed three A’s teams to three consecutive AL pennants and World Series appearances from 1988-90. That landed him the A’s Hall of Fame.
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So, what does he bring to the White Sox? Well, upon first glance, the 76-year-old might seem like an odd fit with a young, up-and-coming team filled with Tim Anderson bat-flips and swag, but a former major league executive tells NBC Sports California the addition could be just what the team needs to make it over the hump.
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“There was no reason the A’s should have beat the White Sox in the Wild Card Series,” the former executive said.
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The former executive added La Russa’s respect among the baseball community introduces itself before La Russa does, and we can’t deny the fact that he knows how to win a World Series, or three.
La Russa will begin his 34th season as a manager in 2021, and has a 2,728-2,365 career record.