Tony La Russa's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 30, 2025

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Tony La Russa.

Tony La Russa is a highly accomplished American former MLB manager and player. Over a 33-year managerial career, he led the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago White Sox. La Russa secured three World Series titles, six league championships, and 13 division titles. With 2,884 wins, he ranks second in all-time managerial wins, trailing only Connie Mack. His career spanned from 1963 to 2022.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1933: John McGraw manages All-Star Game after retiring

In 1933, John McGraw managed the All-Star Game after retiring, since then Tony La Russa managed the All-Star Game after retiring in 2012.

1968: Athletics relocate to Oakland

Since the franchise relocated to Oakland in 1968, Tony La Russa holds the record for victories by an Athletics manager.

1983: AL Manager of the Year

In 1983, Tony La Russa was named American League Manager of the Year, after winning the AL West with the White Sox.

1988: AL Manager of the Year

In 1988, Tony La Russa won the American League Manager of the Year Award with the Oakland A's. The A's lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series that year.

1989: World Series Title with Athletics

In 1989, La Russa led the Oakland Athletics to win the World Series, defeating the San Francisco Giants.

1989: Won the Bay Area World Series

In 1989, La Russa managed the Oakland A's to win the earthquake-delayed Bay Area World Series against the San Francisco Giants.

1992: Second AL Manager of the Year

In 1992, Tony La Russa won his second American League Manager of the Year award with the Oakland Athletics.

1998: La Russa inducted into National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

In 1998, Tony La Russa was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

2002: Fourth Manager of the Year Award

In 2002, Tony La Russa became the first manager to win the Manager of the Year award four times.

September 10, 2003: 2000th Career Win

On September 10, 2003, Tony La Russa won his 2,000th career game as a manager against the Colorado Rockies, becoming the seventh manager in Major League Baseball to reach this milestone.

2004: La Russa wins pennants in both leagues

In 2004, Tony La Russa became the sixth manager in history to win pennants with both American and National League teams.

2006: La Russa wins multiple pennants and World Series in both leagues

In 2006, Tony La Russa became the first manager ever to win multiple pennants in both leagues and the second manager to win the World Series in both leagues.

2006: World Series Win with Cardinals

In 2006, Tony La Russa led the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series victory over the Detroit Tigers. He became the second manager to win a World Series in both the American and National Leagues.

August 31, 2007: La Russa becomes leader in wins for Cardinals' managers

On August 31, 2007, Tony La Russa became the leader in wins by St. Louis Cardinals managers, surpassing Red Schoendienst, after the Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8–5.

April 11, 2008: La Russa inducted into Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame

On April 11, 2008, Tony La Russa was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony at AT&T Park.

June 21, 2009: La Russa achieves 2,500th win

On June 21, 2009, Tony La Russa managed his 2,500th win against the Kansas City Royals, becoming only the third manager to reach that milestone after Connie Mack and John McGraw.

2011: Cardinals win the World Series; La Russa retires

In 2011, Tony La Russa led the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series victory after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers in the playoffs. The Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers in Game 7 to secure their 11th World Championship. Following the win, La Russa announced his retirement, finishing his career with impressive records in postseason and regular season wins, games managed, and years managing.

2011: Managed St. Louis Cardinals to World Series Championship

In 2011, Tony La Russa managed the St. Louis Cardinals during their remarkable journey to becoming the World Series Champions.

2011: Second World Series Title with Cardinals and Retirement

In 2011, Tony La Russa won his second World Series title with the St. Louis Cardinals and subsequently retired as a major league manager after 34 seasons.

2012: La Russa manages All-Star Game after retiring

In 2012, Tony La Russa managed the All-Star Game after retiring, becoming the second manager to do so since John McGraw in 1933. He also became the first manager to win an All-Star Game in both leagues with his 8–0 win in Kansas City.

November 4, 2013: La Russa nominated for Baseball Hall of Fame

On November 4, 2013, Tony La Russa was included on the Expansion Era ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame, along with fellow former Cardinals Ted Simmons, Joe Torre, and Dan Quisenberry.

2013: Elected to Hall of Fame

In 2013, Tony La Russa was unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

January 2014: La Russa inducted into Cardinals Hall of Fame

In January 2014, Tony La Russa was announced as one of 22 former players and personnel to be inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum for its inaugural class.

July 27, 2014: Hall of Fame Induction

On July 27, 2014, Tony La Russa was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

August 16, 2014: Inducted into Cardinals Hall of Fame

On August 16, 2014, Tony La Russa was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum.

2014: La Russa inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame

In 2014, Tony La Russa was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a manager.

June 6, 2021: La Russa passes McGraw in managerial wins

On June 6, 2021, Tony La Russa surpassed John McGraw for second place in all-time managerial wins. He also led the White Sox to their first AL Central division title since 2008.