History of Tony La Russa in Timeline
"Tony" La Russa is a highly accomplished figure in Major League Baseball, with a career spanning over six decades as a player, coach, and most notably, a manager. He is best known for his lengthy and successful managerial stints with the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago White Sox, achieving three World Series championships and earning the second-most wins of all time for a manager. La Russa's strategic prowess and leadership have cemented his legacy as an icon in the sport.
1907: Hughie Jennings Manages Detroit
Hughie Jennings began managing Detroit in 1907.
1913: Miller Huggins Manages
Miller Huggins began managing the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees in 1913.
1918: Jack Hendricks Manages St. Louis Cardinals
Jack Hendricks managed the St. Louis Cardinals in 1918.
1918: Red Sox Break Championship Drought Dating Back to 1918
The Boston Red Sox's victory in the 2004 World Series marked the end of their long championship drought, with their previous title dating back to 1918.
1919: Branch Rickey Manages St. Louis Cardinals
Branch Rickey started managing the St. Louis Cardinals in 1919.
1924: Hughie Jennings and Jack Hendricks Manage
Both Hughie Jennings and Jack Hendricks managed MLB teams in 1924. Jennings managed the New York Giants and Hendricks managed Cincinnati.
October 4, 1944: Birth of Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa was born on October 4, 1944.
1947: Muddy Ruel Manages St. Louis Browns
Muddy Ruel managed the St. Louis Browns in 1947.
1962: Started Coursework at University of South Florida
After signing with the A's in 1962, Tony La Russa began his coursework at the University of South Florida.
1962: La Russa and Harrelson as Teammates
In an ironic twist, it was revealed that Ken Harrelson, who fired Tony La Russa from the White Sox in 1986, had been La Russa's teammate on the Binghamton team back in 1962.
1962: Playing with A's Affiliates
La Russa played 76 games with the Binghamton Triplets and Daytona Beach Islanders, affiliates of the A's, in 1962.
May 10, 1963: Major League Debut with the Kansas City A's
On May 10, 1963, Tony La Russa made his major league debut with the Kansas City A's.
1963: Major League Debut
Tony La Russa began his MLB career as a player, making his debut in 1963.
1964: Shoulder Injury
During the 1964-65 off-season, La Russa suffered a shoulder injury that would affect his playing career.
1968: Return to the Oakland A's
Tony La Russa returned to the A's, now located in Oakland, in 1968.
1969: Graduation from the University of South Florida
In 1969, Tony La Russa graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in industrial management.
1969: Playing with the Oakland A's
Tony La Russa played with the Oakland A's in 1969.
1970: Full Season with Oakland A's
Tony La Russa spent the entirety of the 1970 season with the Oakland A's.
1971: Traded to the Atlanta Braves
La Russa was traded from the Oakland A's to the Atlanta Braves in 1971.
April 6, 1973: Final Major League Appearance
On April 6, 1973, Tony La Russa made his final major league appearance as a pinch runner for the Chicago Cubs, scoring the winning run.
1973: Divorce and Second Marriage
La Russa divorced his first wife, Luzette Sarcone, in 1973 and subsequently married Elaine Coker.
1977: Retirement from Playing Career
Tony La Russa retired from playing baseball professionally in 1977.
1978: Graduation from Florida State University College of Law
In 1978, Tony La Russa earned a Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University College of Law.
1978: First Managerial Role
The Chicago White Sox gave Tony La Russa his first managerial opportunity in 1978, managing their Double-A affiliate, the Knoxville Sox.
1979: Youngest Manager in the Major Leagues
At 34 years old, Tony La Russa became the youngest manager in the major leagues in 1979 when he was named manager of the Chicago White Sox.
1979: Manager for the Chicago White Sox
La Russa was named manager of the Chicago White Sox in 1979.
1979: Manager of the Iowa Oaks
Tony La Russa was named manager of the Triple-A Iowa Oaks in 1979.
July 30, 1980: Admitted to the Florida Bar
Tony La Russa was admitted to the Florida Bar on July 30, 1980.
1980: Appearance on "To Tell The Truth"
In 1980, Tony La Russa appeared as a contestant on the game show "To Tell The Truth."
1983: Leading the White Sox to the Playoffs
La Russa guided the Chicago White Sox to their first postseason appearance in 24 years in 1983.
1983: Start of Partnership with Dave Duncan
Tony La Russa hired Dave Duncan, whom he met while playing for the A's, to his coaching staff in Chicago, beginning a long and successful partnership in 1983.
1983: American League Manager of the Year
Tony La Russa was named American League Manager of the Year in 1983.
1986: La Russa Returns to Athletics as Manager
Shortly after being fired by the White Sox, Tony La Russa was hired by the Oakland Athletics, his former team, to take over as manager. He joined with his former coach Dave Duncan, inheriting a struggling team with a 31-52 record, positioned in 7th place. Under their guidance, the team improved to a 45-34 record for the remainder of the season, ultimately finishing in 3rd place.
1986: White Sox Fires La Russa
Tony La Russa was fired as manager of the Chicago White Sox in 1986 after a disappointing 26-38 start. This decision came after general manager Roland Hemond, who originally hired La Russa, was replaced by Ken Harrelson.
1986: Fired by the White Sox and Hired by the Athletics
Tony La Russa was fired by the Chicago White Sox and hired by the Oakland Athletics in 1986.
1987: Cardinals' First World Series Appearance Since 1987
The 2004 World Series marked the St. Louis Cardinals' first appearance in the championship series since 1987.
1987: Cardinals Set Record for Worst Regular Season Record by a World Series Champion
The St. Louis Cardinals' 83-78 regular season record in 2006 set a new record for the worst record by an eventual World Series champion. They surpassed the previous record held by the 1987 Minnesota Twins, who had an 85-77 record.
1988: Start of Three Consecutive AL Pennants
La Russa's Oakland Athletics began a streak of three consecutive American League pennants in 1988.
1988: A's Achieve First AL Pennant Under La Russa
Led by manager Tony La Russa, the Oakland A's secured their first American League Pennant in 1988, marking the beginning of a three-year streak of reaching the World Series.
1988: Start of Three Consecutive American League Championships
The Oakland Athletics, under the management of Tony La Russa, began their streak of three consecutive American League championships in 1988.
1989: A's Triumph in World Series
The Oakland Athletics, managed by Tony La Russa, emerged victorious in the 1989 World Series, which was notably delayed due to an earthquake in the Bay Area. This victory against the San Francisco Giants marked a significant triumph for the team.
1989: World Series Title with Oakland Athletics
Tony La Russa managed the Oakland Athletics to win the 1989 World Series.
1990: Publication of George Will's "Men at Work"
George Will's book "Men at Work," published in 1990, highlighted Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan's innovative use of statistical analysis in baseball.
1990: A's Secure Third Consecutive AL Pennant
In 1990, the Oakland A's, under Tony La Russa's management, clinched their third consecutive American League Pennant, solidifying their dominance in the league.
1990: Third Consecutive American League Championship
The Oakland Athletics, managed by Tony La Russa, won their third consecutive American League Championship in 1990.
1991: Release of "Tony La Russa Baseball" Video Game Series
The first installment of the "Tony La Russa Baseball" video game series, incorporating sabermetrics and new statistics, was released in 1991.
1992: La Russa Receives Second Manager of the Year Award
Tony La Russa was honored with his second American League Manager of the Year Award in 1992 while managing the Oakland A's, recognizing his exceptional leadership in guiding the team to another Western Division title.
1995: La Russa Leaves Oakland for St. Louis
Following the sale of the Oakland Athletics by the Haas family, Tony La Russa departed from the team and took on the role of manager for the St. Louis Cardinals, replacing the fired Joe Torre.
1995: Left Oakland Athletics to Manage St. Louis Cardinals
Tony La Russa left the Oakland Athletics after the 1995 season to manage the St. Louis Cardinals.
1996: Cardinals Secure NL Central Title in La Russa's First Season
In a remarkable debut season with the St. Louis Cardinals, Tony La Russa guided the team to clinch the National League Central division title in 1996.
1997: End of "Tony La Russa Baseball" Video Game Series
The "Tony La Russa Baseball" video game series concluded in 1997.
1998: Induction into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame
Tony La Russa was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.
2000: Cardinals Reclaim NL Central Title
The St. Louis Cardinals, under the guidance of Tony La Russa, regained the National League Central division title in 2000, reaffirming their dominance in the division.
2001: Cardinals Tie for NL Central Crown
The St. Louis Cardinals, led by manager Tony La Russa, finished the 2001 season tied with the Houston Astros for the National League Central division title.
2002: La Russa Makes History with Fourth Manager of the Year Award
Tony La Russa etched his name in baseball history by becoming the first manager to receive the Manager of the Year Award four times in 2002. This achievement was particularly poignant as he guided the St. Louis Cardinals to the National League Championship Series amidst a season marked by the tragic deaths of broadcaster Jack Buck and pitcher Darryl Kile.
September 10, 2003: La Russa Achieves 2,000th Career Win
On September 10, 2003, Tony La Russa achieved a significant milestone by securing his 2,000th career win as a manager in a game against the Colorado Rockies. This accomplishment placed him among the elite managers in Major League Baseball history, becoming the seventh to reach this mark.
2003: Three-Game Series Against Dusty Baker's Chicago Cubs
Tony La Russa's St. Louis Cardinals faced off against Dusty Baker's Chicago Cubs in a pivotal three-game series in 2003.
2004: Pennant Wins in Both Leagues
In 2004, La Russa became the sixth manager to win pennants in both the American and National Leagues.
2004: Release of Michael Lewis's "Moneyball"
Michael Lewis's book "Moneyball," exploring the Oakland Athletics' use of statistical analysis in baseball, was released in 2004, sparking debate about data-driven approaches in the sport.
2004: Cardinals' Historic Season Ends in World Series Defeat
The 2004 St. Louis Cardinals, under manager Tony La Russa, had a remarkable season, winning 105 games and leading the National League in runs scored and fewest runs allowed. They triumphed over the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros in the NLDS and NLCS, respectively. However, their journey ended in the World Series with a four-game sweep by the Boston Red Sox, who were on a historic run, overcoming a 3-0 deficit against the New York Yankees to win their first championship since 1918.
2004: Cardinals Secure NL Central Title with Dominant Season
The St. Louis Cardinals, under Tony La Russa's leadership, delivered an exceptional performance in 2004, securing the National League Central division title after winning an impressive 105 games.
August 29, 2005: David Leonhardt's Article on the "Stats vs. Hunches" Debate in Baseball
On August 29, 2005, David Leonhardt published an article in The New York Times discussing the ongoing debate between statistical analysis and traditional scouting in baseball.
2005: Subject of Buzz Bissinger's Book "Three Nights in August"
Sportswriter Buzz Bissinger released "Three Nights in August" in 2005, a book centered around Tony La Russa's managerial approach.
2005: Cardinals Continue Dominance with Another NL Central Title
The St. Louis Cardinals extended their reign in the National League Central division by clinching the title once again in 2005 under the guidance of manager Tony La Russa.
2006: Historic World Series Victories
La Russa achieved a historic feat in 2006 by becoming the first manager to win multiple pennants and the second to win the World Series in both the American and National Leagues.
2006: Cardinals Capture Another NL Central Crown
The St. Louis Cardinals, led by manager Tony La Russa, continued their winning streak in 2006, securing the National League Central division title once more.
2006: World Series Title with St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals, managed by Tony La Russa, won the 2006 World Series.
2006: La Russa Joins Elite Group with World Series Win in Both Leagues
Tony La Russa led the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series victory against the Detroit Tigers in 2006. This win made La Russa only the second manager in history, after Sparky Anderson, to win a World Series in both the American and National Leagues.
August 31, 2007: Becoming Cardinals' Winningest Manager
On August 31, 2007, La Russa surpassed Red Schoendienst to become the winningest manager in St. Louis Cardinals history.
November 28, 2007: Guilty Plea for DUI Charge
On November 28, 2007, Tony La Russa pleaded guilty to the DUI charge from his March arrest, taking responsibility for his actions.
2007: Bruce Hornsby's Tribute
Musician Bruce Hornsby performed a tribute song dedicated to La Russa at a concert in 2007.
April 11, 2008: Induction into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame
On April 11, 2008, Tony La Russa was honored with induction into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame at AT&T Park.
2008: White Sox Win First AL Central Division Title Since 2008
Under the leadership of Tony La Russa, the Chicago White Sox won the American League Central division title in 2021, marking their first division title since 2008. This win also marked La Russa's 13th division title as a manager.
June 4, 2009: Lawsuit Against Twitter for Impersonation
On June 4, 2009, news broke that Tony La Russa had filed a lawsuit against Twitter the previous month for a fake account created in his name, citing emotional distress and reputational damage.
June 21, 2009: Reaching 2,500 Wins
La Russa achieved his 2,500th managerial win on June 21, 2009, joining an elite group of managers to reach that milestone.
2009: Cardinals Clinch NL Central Title Under La Russa's Leadership
In 2009, the St. Louis Cardinals, managed by Tony La Russa, achieved another milestone by winning the National League Central division title, further solidifying their position as a dominant force in the league.
June 5, 2010: Appearance on Animal Planet's "Housecat Housecall"
Tony La Russa and his family appeared on an episode of Animal Planet's "Housecat Housecall" during the show's third season, which premiered on June 5, 2010.
June 2010: Support for Arizona Immigration Statute
In June 2010, during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tony La Russa expressed support for the Arizona immigration statute amidst a tea party protest taking place during the game.
August 28, 2010: Attendance at Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" Rally
On August 28, 2010, Tony La Russa and Albert Pujols attended Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington, D.C.
2010: Longest-Tenured MLB Manager
La Russa became the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball following Bobby Cox's retirement in 2010.
February 10, 2011: Longest-Tenured Coach in Major Sports
With Jerry Sloan's resignation on February 10, 2011, La Russa became the longest-tenured coach across major sports leagues until his retirement later that year.
2011: World Series Title with St. Louis Cardinals and Retirement
After winning the 2011 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals, Tony La Russa retired from managing after 34 seasons.
2011: La Russa's Cardinals Secure World Series Victory and His Retirement
In 2011, Tony La Russa achieved a remarkable feat by guiding the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series triumph against the Texas Rangers in a thrilling Game 7. This victory marked the Cardinals' 11th World Championship and La Russa's third as a manager. During the postseason, he surpassed Bobby Cox to become the second-winningest manager in postseason history. Shortly after this momentous win, La Russa announced his retirement, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest managers in baseball history.
2011: Struggle with Shingles
Throughout the 2011 season, Tony La Russa battled shingles, initially disclosing it as conjunctivitis. After a visit to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, on May 10, he revealed his shingles diagnosis.
2011: World Series Championship with the St. Louis Cardinals
Tony La Russa led the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series victory in 2011, a remarkable feat considering the team was ten and a half games back.
2012: La Russa Manages NL All-Star Team in Final Appearance
Despite retiring in 2011, Tony La Russa made a final appearance as manager for the National League All-Star team in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. The National League won the game with a score of 8-0.
2012: Managing the All-Star Game
La Russa achieved the distinction of managing the All-Star Game in 2012.
2012: Release of Memoir "One Last Strike"
Tony La Russa's memoir, "One Last Strike," hit bookshelves in 2012, becoming a New York Times bestseller.
November 4, 2013: Nomination for Hall of Fame
La Russa was announced as a candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame on November 4, 2013.
2013: Elected to the Hall of Fame
In 2013, Tony La Russa was elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.
January 2014: Induction into Cardinals Hall of Fame
In January 2014, the St. Louis Cardinals announced La Russa's induction into their Hall of Fame Museum as part of the inaugural class.
May 2014: Commencement Speaker at Washington University in St. Louis
Tony La Russa delivered the commencement address at Washington University in St. Louis in May 2014.
May 17, 2014: Appointment as Chief Baseball Officer
On May 17, 2014, Tony La Russa took on the role of Chief Baseball Officer for the Arizona Diamondbacks, overseeing the team's entire baseball operations.
July 27, 2014: Induction into the Hall of Fame
Tony La Russa was inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 27, 2014.
August 16, 2014: Induction into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum
On August 16, 2014, Tony La Russa was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum.
2014: Chief Baseball Officer for Arizona Diamondbacks
In 2014, La Russa was named the chief baseball officer for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
2014: Reunion with Former Colleagues
La Russa's move to the Diamondbacks in 2014 reunited him with past assistants and Roland Hemond, the general manager who first hired him to manage the White Sox in 1979.
2014: Induction into the Hall of Fame
Tony La Russa was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest managers in the sport's history.
December 4, 2015: Signing of Zack Greinke
The Arizona Diamondbacks, under La Russa's leadership, signed pitcher Zack Greinke to a historic six-year, $206.5 million contract on December 4, 2015, marking the highest annual average value in MLB at the time.
2016: Demotion and Restructuring
Following a disappointing 93-loss season for the Diamondbacks in 2016, La Russa was demoted to Chief Baseball Analyst/Advisor, accompanied by the firing of the general manager and manager.
November 2017: Joining the Boston Red Sox
In November 2017, La Russa was appointed as vice president and special assistant to the president of baseball operations for the Boston Red Sox.
2017: Resignation from Diamondbacks
Tony La Russa resigned from his position with the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 2017 season.
November 2019: Joining the Los Angeles Angels
After his stint with the Red Sox, La Russa joined the Los Angeles Angels as a senior advisor for baseball operations in November 2019.
November 2019: Senior Advisor for Los Angeles Angels
In November 2019, Tony La Russa accepted a position with the Los Angeles Angels as a senior advisor of baseball operations.
February 2020: Second DUI Arrest
Tony La Russa faced another DUI charge, this time in Phoenix, Arizona, in February 2020.
October 28, 2020: DUI Charge Filed
A DUI charge from an incident in February 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona was filed against Tony La Russa on October 28, 2020.
October 29, 2020: La Russa Returns to Management with the White Sox
After serving in various executive roles within Major League Baseball, Tony La Russa returned to managing on October 29, 2020, when he was announced as the new manager of the Chicago White Sox, replacing Rick Renteria. At 76 years old, he became the oldest manager in MLB history. This also made him the first manager to return to managing after being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a manager.
June 6, 2021: La Russa Makes History with Second-Most Managerial Wins
On June 6, 2021, Tony La Russa achieved another milestone in his illustrious career by surpassing John McGraw for second place on the all-time managerial wins list.
2021: Return to Managing with the Chicago White Sox
After a period of retirement, Tony La Russa returned to managing in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox.
2021: La Russa Returns to the White Sox
Tony La Russa rejoined the Chicago White Sox as manager, marking his return to the team after decades.
2022: Health Issues
By 2022, Tony La Russa was facing health challenges, including a cancer diagnosis and issues with his pacemaker.
2022: Retirement from Managing Due to Health Concerns
Citing health concerns, Tony La Russa retired from managing in 2022.
2022: La Russa's Second Stint with White Sox Ends
Tony La Russa concluded his second stint as manager of the Chicago White Sox in 2022.
2022: Retirement from Chicago White Sox
Tony La Russa retired from managing the Chicago White Sox in 2022 after 33 years as a manager.
2022: Challenging Final Season
Tony La Russa's 2022 season, at 77 years old, was marked by difficulties, including criticism for controversial in-game decisions and health concerns, culminating in his retirement announcement on October 3, 2022.
