Anthony La Russa Jr. is an American former professional baseball player, coach, and manager. His MLB career has spanned from 1963 to 2022, in several roles. He is the former manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago White Sox. In 33 years as a manager, La Russa guided his teams to three World Series titles, six league championships, and 13 division titles. His managerial total of 2,902 MLB wins is second only to Connie Mack's.
La Russa in 2017
La Russa with the Oakland A's in 1989
Tony La Russa on the outfield warning track at Busch Stadium on June 29, 2002.
La Russa in 2008
In baseball, the field manager is the equivalent of a head coach who is responsible for overseeing and making final decisions on all aspects of on-field team strategy, lineup selection, training and instruction. Managers are typically assisted by a staff of assistant coaches whose responsibilities are specialized. Field managers are typically not involved in off-field personnel decisions or long-term club planning, responsibilities that are instead held by a team's general manager.
Whitey Herzog managed the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1980s
Image: Mack In Stands 1916
Image: John Mc Graw 1910 (retouched)