The biggest surprise of the 2020 offseason came when the Chicago White Sox hired Tony La Russa as their next manager, replacing Rick Renteria, who was fired after four seasons. This decision made a lot of sense because the White Sox finally have a team ready to compete for a World Series, and bringing in a manager that spent 34 seasons managing 3 different teams, compiled more than 2 thousand wins, 3 World Series titles, and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, is a great first step towards making that a reality. This decision also sent the Hall of Fame Manager back to where his career began.
Prior to his reunion with the White Sox, La Russa managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 1996 to 2011, and the Oaklands A’s from 1986 to 1995, and his first stint with the White Sox from 1979 to 1986. In that stretch, he managed the A’s to a World Series title in 1989 and 2 World Series titles for the Cardinals in 2006 and 2011. He also received Manager of the Year 4 times in 1983, 1988, 1992, and 2002. At the time of La Russa’s initial retirement in 2011, he ranked third all-time in total managerial wins with 2,728 and trailing only John McGraw (2,763), and Connie Mack (3,731). La Russa was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Tony La Russa, who was hired in October, inherited a White Sox team that went 35-25 in the Pandemic-shortened 60 game season and made it to the AL Wild Card Round in the expanded playoffs. The White Sox are hoping that the hiring of La Russa will be their golden ticket to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2005. Tony La Russa is also the oldest active manager in MLB at 76 years-old.
In La Russa’s first two Spring Training games this year, the White Sox lost to the Brewers and tied against the Angels.
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