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The Chicago White Sox have started the 2020 MLB offseason with a boom! And, they ignited fan reaction, via the social media world, too, with the hiring of 76 year old Tony La Russa to be their manager.
When White Sox General Manager Rich Hahn terminated former manager Rick Renteria, Hahn stated that an important consideration for the new skipper should be prior championship experience. Ultimately, that was a key trait La Russa has in his baseball resume that made him one of the best options available.
Let’s go over La Russa’s circle of life as a manager in the majors.
His managerial career began in 1979 in Chicago. Over seven years he managed the Sox to a 522-510 record. During that span, La Russa won his first Manager of the Year Award with a 99-63 record to win the division, which he did three more times.
But, his tenure in Chicago ended when former GM Ken Harrelson fired La Russa in June of 1986. The Chicago Tribune’s baseball reporter at the time cited LaRussa’s stubborn nature for the firing.
La Russa repeatedly challenged the Hawk`s authority in the mistaken belief that he had the everlasting support of Jerry Reinsdorf, the Sox chairman… having grown weary of playing the referee, Reinsdorf told Harrelson: ”If you want to fire him, go ahead. Do what you think is best for the organization.”
Jerome Holtzman
La Russa would get the last laugh, however. Harrelson would resign his baseball executive job with the Sox before the end of the 1986 season and La Russa would go lead the Oakland A’s to American League pennants in 1988 and ’89 with a World Series championship in that ’89 season. It’s no secret that Reinsdorf was upset with himself for choosing Harrelson over La Russa. The immediate success his former manager had after his departure was just the beginning of the heartache.
La Russa would have his most success with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 16 seasons he compiled a 1408-1182 record and two more World Series Championships. He solidified his reputation for one of baseball’s best managers. Of all time.
La Russa retired in 2011 and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2013. He went on to be a front office assistant with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Angels.
The question now is can he, at age 76, win more championships.
He walks into the job with one of the most talented young rosters in Major League Baseball. But, is he a good fit?
Issues that immediately came up during La Russa’s introductory press conference on Thursday had to do with baseball’s current culture.
First, he was asked about the nation’s climate with racial unrest and how he would handle potential player protests. He answered that as long as the players peacefully protested, remained sincere in nature, and led with a positive message that he would be with the players. La Russa had previously said he believed that Colin Kaepernick’s protests were insincere.
Next, he was asked about the more demonstrative celebrations in today’s game which is something La Russa has been critical about in the past. He answered that as long as the celebration was sincere and backed by the successful performance of the player that he would be all for it.
Time will tell if this was the true meaning of his character. Will certain free agents want to join the La Russa culture?
One thing appears certain is that La Russa has remained mentally in-tuned to today’s game with his recent front office experience. There were several highlights from the press conference that keep me optimistic with this hiring.
The most important note was that he believes wholeheartedly in his observational skills with in-game decisions and added that analytics will help keep the players in the best situation to win, but in the moment he will rely on instincts.
To me, that is a bold statement and one that I agree with at the moment, as it has been evident this past season that other managers did not make instinctual decisions that should sometimes override the analytics.
For instance, Tampa Rays Manager Kevin Cash’s decision to pull Blake Snell in the World Series. The momentum change was devastating to the Rays as the Dodgers beat up on the bullpen and win the Series.
Not to mention, the White Sox’s most recent experience with forgoing gut decisions. Renteria’s decision to pull his starter after the st inning in the deciding game of the playoff series is the most glaring example of the Sox recent past with poor decision-making.
In the end, the Chicago White Sox made the right decision to fire Renteria and replace him with a Hall of Fame coach who has the championship experience needed.
Some of the other options that were reportedly on the radar were AJ Hinch, Alex Cora, and Ron Washington.
AJ Hinch was the former most recent manager of the Houston Astros from 2015-2019 and won the World Series in 2017 with the team, which later would be involved in the sign stealing scandal.
Alex Cora was a coach with the Houston Astros during the 2017 season then became the manager of the Red Sox for the 18-19 seasons and won a championship as a rookie manager, but during his 2017 days with the Astros he had one of the main roles in the electronic sign stealing scandal with former player Carlos Beltran.
Ron Washington was a less likely candidate but has a winning managerial record and two pennants. Many of the fans around baseball viewed Hinch or Cora as lead options, while some of the Sox fans might have wanted the younger options that have championship experience… I will be one to say that I’m proud the cheaters will stay away and shows the White Sox organization does have some integrity.
In addition, there were several rumors going around and ones that fans may have wanted to see within the organization. Some names included Ozzie Guillen, AJ Pierzynski, Paul Konerko, Frank Thomas, and Jim Thome.
Ozzie Guillen had a 747-710 overall record with a Manager of the Year award and championship with the Chicago White Sox. But, Ozzie was never a candidate. When Hahn announced the firing of Renteria he made a special note that Ozzie would not be interviewed. He was, at least. given respect by Reinsdorf with a personal phone call to explain the reason behind their thinking.
Maybe in the near future AJ, Paul, and Frank will come back into the game in coaching roles. In addition, Thome is already a White Sox Ambassador that works with Hahn and possibly down the road he will join the coaching staff. But, I’m guessing that possibility will be much later as family time is more important now.
There are two names I wish the Sox should consider for coaching jobs as I see them having future success as managers.
My first candidate is an option that I would want in the coaching system now to begin mentoring under La Russa and that is John Smoltz. He does not have any coaching experience but he is the only pitcher in major league history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves. Recently, Smoltz was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2015 then was hired during the 2016 season on the MLB Network. After retirement, Smoltz like La Russa has remained in the game and is well aware of the current culture.
The other candidate I’d like to see in the coaching system under La Russa is Sandy Alomar, Jr. He does have prior coaching experience and was a All-Star catcher that played in the White Sox organization.
In 2009, Alomar, Jr was elected into the Cleveland Hall of Fame, then in 2012 was hired as interim coach. After several years, Alomar, Jr., like La Russa, has remained in the game and is in tune with baseball’s current culture as he was the interim manager with the Indians this past season and had a winning record.
If the White Sox could bring him into the coaching staff as a bench coach with the intent of grooming his as LaRussa’s successor would be great.
Next on my list of articles to share with you will be an in-depth analysis of the White Sox offseason with speculation of moves to come. Go Go White Sox!
