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* My initial, private reaction to this announcement would not be allowed on this website…
Tony La Russa, a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame, the third-winningest manager in baseball history, a three-time World Series champion and a four-time winner of the Manager of the Year Award, has been named the new manager of the Chicago White Sox. pic.twitter.com/RKP24rleHP
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 29, 2020
* The Question: Your own thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:27 pm
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Previous Post: 6,363 new cases, 56 additional deaths, 3,030 hospitalized, 6.9 percent case positivity rate, 8.2 percent test positivity rate - Springfield’s Region 3 reaches mitigation threshold
Next Post: Shenanigans!
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Yep . . . that fits. You can sure tell that 2020 strikes again. Got a world series for the Cardinals, but I personally don’t care for him.
Comment by Cardinal Fan Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:28 pm
Clearly, he is worried about the impending tax on his retirement income.
Comment by Ok Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:29 pm
Ugh. How depressing. Sox have a young team, I don’t think this is the answer. I hope I am wrong.
Comment by James the Intolerant Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:29 pm
Isn’t he like 80?
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:30 pm
Why not? Leadership in our country seems vested in old white guys at the moment. Baseball is simply following the current trend. (Yeah, snark.)
Comment by One Opinion Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:30 pm
This is dumb & not just saying that because I’m a Cubs fan. I was hoping for Sandy Alomar, but maybe I just have a thing for former catchers…
Comment by LoyalVirus Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:30 pm
Bring back Doug Collins for the Bulls, Dusty Baker for the Cubs
Comment by walker Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:31 pm
I wonder what Tommy Lasorda is up to these days? I don’t understand how a 76 year old can connect with a bunch of 20 year olds that the Sox have.
Jerry will Jerry…
Comment by Downstate Dave Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:32 pm
The White Sox have made the one mistake they couldn’t make.
The ball club, officially, is going in the wrong direction, “When an owner doesn’t leave the baseball operations to the baseball folks”, part 7,344
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:32 pm
Some baseball fans have asked me before why I (younger person) don’t watch any baseball. Today’s move shows it. The NBA and NFL have younger and up-and-coming head coaches, yet in baseball a team decides that a man in his mid-70’s who hasn’t managed in a decade is worth trotting out of retirement.
Comment by RDB Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:34 pm
Same old Sox. Is anyone under the age of 60 excited by this move?
Comment by ChicagoVinny Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:35 pm
IMHO a dump move. However, the proof is in the pudding–if the Sox win, it will be a brilliant news.
Comment by G'Kar Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:37 pm
Ah, meant to say if the Sox win it would be a brilliant move.
Comment by G'Kar Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:38 pm
Nancy Faust would’ve been the better nostalgia pick
Comment by Universal DH Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:38 pm
He will be the Grandpa manager?…Huh?…speak a little louder?
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:38 pm
I’m sure he’ll be able to connect with the young players on that team…
Comment by Billy Madison Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:39 pm
Will he be brining Jerry Dybzinski along as baserunning coach?
Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:40 pm
I’m a Cubs fan, but not one of those who hates the Sox. I was hoping the Sox would bring in the Houston manager who had been banned. Despite the sign stealing, he was a heck of good manager.
The result of this is that watching Sox baseball is going to be more of a freak show than real baseball. I would love to see them field a competitive team, but this sure is not the way to go.
Comment by Crash (fka Gooner) Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:41 pm
WHY CAN’T WE HAVE NICE THINGS?!
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:41 pm
Too bad Jerry Krause isn’t still around to help in the front office
Comment by WH Mess Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:41 pm
Connie Mack retired at 87, Tony is only a babe in the woods at 76
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:42 pm
As a Cubs fan, I was intrigued to watch the Sox contend over the next several years because I enjoy good baseball and my preferred team will go downhill.
My condolences to White Sox fans on the closing of their championship window
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:42 pm
Why ???
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:42 pm
Cub fan here. I loathe our ownership.
I would not trade Tom for Jerry, though.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:43 pm
Not too sure how this helps. I’m not only concerned time has passed him by (doesn’t subscribe to much of the analytics), but I worry about his dealings with the young players. But since I don’t have a choice, it’s wait and see.
Comment by ddp76 Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:44 pm
LaRussa is the “baseball guy” you bring in for 2 days during spring training to talk, maybe look at your OF prospects, even talk some rotation strategy… but on that 3rd day, ya send him home with some nice pictures and a new home jersey…
… ya don’t make him skipper.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:45 pm
=== Got a world series for the Cardinals===
He’s a juicer enabler.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:45 pm
Jerry Reinsdorf is only about two or three decades off. Somebody needs to do a wellness check on the Chairman.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:45 pm
Everything old is new again. I have one Sox loving friend who likes this. Everyone else joins you in throwing thing in anger.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:45 pm
I am speechless.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:46 pm
I really don’t think that this a a good move. While he may be a good strategist in the view of some, I can’t imagine him relating to the young players. I agree with an earlier comment,and would have preferred Sandy Alomar.
Comment by old man Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:47 pm
It’s not going to be a good look when he has to use a walker to go out to the pitching mound for a conference
Comment by Drake Mallard Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:47 pm
LOL I’m old enough to remember when he was the manager last time. So much for moving forward.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:47 pm
LaRussa was one of the most creative and forward thinking managers. Yet all that went out the window when he became the de facto GM in Arizona (I believe his title was chief baseball officer). His denigration of analytics and new thinking went against, well, everything about his managerial style. And his commentary on racism against Black players isn’t going to sit well when your most recognizable players are African American and Afro Latino. Most of all, the fact that Reinsdorf dictated this (they didn’t even interview AJ Hinch or Alex Cora) is going to potentially waste the prime years of a team poised to contend.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:56 pm
As a Cubs fan, I cannot even gloat over this one. I’m sorry.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:58 pm
Welcome back Tony LaChoke…will you bring us a repeat of 1983?
Comment by 62468 Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 1:59 pm
@Precinct Captain - made the points I was on issues connected to black and Latino players. Mercy me what a strange pick.
Anyone ask Mayor Lightfoot what she thinks…
And a trivia nugget for you - TLR will the only person to manage as a member of the Hall of Fame.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:04 pm
John Rocker wasn’t available?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:05 pm
Dumb been out of the game too long. relatability to a really young team?
Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:07 pm
Hey, look, another old white guy in charge. At least he is qualified.
Comment by Mike Smolarek Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:08 pm
My thoughts are that the choice is disappointing but predictable. Predictable in that it has Jerry Reinsdorf’s fingerprints all over it.
As Lucky mentioned, there probably have been old managers in the past that have been successful but while LaRussa may be a very good manager I have never been fond of him as a person.
As others have said, Sandy Alomar would have been a better choice.
Comment by Big Jer Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:08 pm
Joe Maddon was not available.
Comment by jackmac Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:08 pm
“the third-winningest manager in baseball history”
Connie Mack is the winningest manager in baseball history, but he’d still be a terrible hire in 2020.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:13 pm
Rich,
Ugh. I feel bad for you. At 76, Tony is almost old enough to be the rookie players’ GREAT-grandfather.
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:13 pm
He will no doubt follow the lead of another old white guy and appoint a woman of color, who wears Chuck Taylors as his bench coach.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:13 pm
Like bringing back a gentlemanly Leo Durocher. I don’t get it.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:14 pm
you are right Connie would be 158 years old and he probably could not relate to all of the Latin players
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:16 pm
Buzz kill. The Sox are going to have to win the World Series next year to justify this move, and I’m still not sure it’ll be enough.
Comment by Steve Reick Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:17 pm
The LaRussa hiring has got to be the most 2020 decision for Chicago. This is a drunk, cheating, troglodyte (baseball analytics wise). This cannot have been a Hahn decision. If I was Hahn, I would resign.
Comment by indianbadger Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:19 pm
White Sox fans, get ready for games to end with a position player on the mound and a pitcher in the outfield.
The height of his arrogance were the 1988 - 90 A’s, where he lost 2 World Series (he knew the Dodgers had were aware Eckersley threw sliders on 3-2 counts, and it happened anyway). The only win was the Loma Prieta series, where he only needed two starting pitchers.
Sox fans, fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:20 pm
With the Cards apparently mailing it in for next year, there is some speculation that Yadi/Waino follow LaRussa to Chicago.
Comment by Birds on the Bat Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:22 pm
Paul Richards was unavailable?
Comment by Rich Hill Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:25 pm
Baseball is slow enough already, can you imagine how much slower it will be with him walking back and forth from the dugout to the mound?
Comment by Cable Line Beer Gardener Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:26 pm
Well at least we get to read exciting stories about on and off-field conflict for the next couple of years…
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:27 pm
Has Rick Hahn quit yet?
If not, why not. He can’t have approved of this.
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:28 pm
I guess the decision to let Tony LaRussa go all of those years ago has weighed on Jerry Reisendorf. But sometimes living with regret isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
If the team regresses it will probably be a one and done season.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:34 pm
@MJM - Mack having an issue with black MLB players would probably complicate the issue further.
To the post-
I hate this hire. I wanted Hinch. LaRussa invented the “specialist” bull pen, a sin from which baseball has not yet recovered. LaRussa ruined baseball.
The only, and I emphasize only, saving grace of this hire would be if it makes us more attractive to Trevor Bauer and either Springer or Ozuna. I can see Bauer not wanting to go to Detroit (where Hinch will be signed) because of his outspoken expressions of disgust at the Astros cheating scandal. I don’t think Springer or Ozuna will care, they are just chasing bucks.
Comment by Just Another Anon Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:34 pm
Only if this is Jerry about to spend like never before to win in a 2-year window: that could be fun. Otherwise, dittos on all the “ugh” above.
Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:37 pm
Honestly, I thought it was a joke when a friend first mentioned this rumor to me over a week ago. I hope that I’m wrong but this is the one decision of this rebuild that I have serious reservations over. The only thing I’ll give LaRussa credit for when he was previously the White Sox Mgr is using the platoon system which was ahead of it’s time back in the late 70’s early 80’s. Very few Managers were doing that at the time.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:40 pm
Anyone tell Tony that relief pitchers have to face three batters now?
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:42 pm
He’ll get those youngsters on a program…pass the juice?
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:46 pm
Well at least you say the Sox do not age-discriminate. Plan on submitting my resume for a front office position tomorrow.
And LaRussa is bi-lingual, which is a positive.
But does this mean Dave Duncan will be back as pitching coach?
Comment by bogey golfer Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:49 pm
I have been a Sox fan for 28 years. I was raised to be a Cubs fan. Old family pictures of me in Cubs gear abound. In 1992, I chose the Sox. And I have stuck with them through it all. And now I am done. They should just change their names to the Chicago Reinsdorfs. I need to pick a new team. And my vetting process will be much more thorough than the Sox managerial pick. I’m done. I’m done. I’m done. As long as Jerry Reinsdorf owns the team, I will be rooting against them. And it saddens me greatly, because what a great young core they have developed. But they can kiss my @$$. This is a middle finger to the culture they have been creating over the last four years and to their loyal fans who have stuck with them through it all.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:50 pm
Did not want this, but here it is. Loved him back in the day, good manager, lawyer, different kind of leader. in the run up to the choice, I kept saying that one of the key factors to choosing a manager was whether he spoke Spanish. Not only is that a consistent thing with the Sox (Al Lopez, El Señor, who had three turns as Sox manager) but we have such a high percentage of Spanish speaking players now. like Al, a Tampa kid, also from Tampa Tony has a mom whose heritage is Spanish( last name Cuervo) and Tony speaks Spanish. This is a full circle move as we are probably nearing the end of the ownership group. Not always happy with Mr. Reinsdorf’s choices, but he did get us a World Series + all those Bulls titles. I prefer him to the Trump loving Ricketts gang any day.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:52 pm
Longtime White Sox fan. Was really excited about all of the up and coming talent on the team. Age alone doesn’t disqualify him from the position, but I can’t believe La Russa will do anything besides manage the “old school” way; not employing shifts when the data strongly suggests it, perhaps leaving pitchers in for longer than the matchups suggest. This will cost the team at least a few games that will prove to be significant. I just don’t understand the choice, really. It’s not as if there is a scarcity of younger, smarter baseball minds out there.
Comment by Chambanalyst Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:54 pm
Are the Sox trying to make me miss Rick Renteria? This move stinks. Wouldn’t even consider giving Ozzie Guillen an interview. Terrible.
Comment by SAP Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:56 pm
I was at the game when he and Dusty Baker had it out at Wrigley. Maybe they can have a replay at next year’s Astros-Sox series.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 2:57 pm
I think they should bring back Hawk to start the season. That’d be fun. Or maybe Jerry can let LaRussa fire Harrelson this time. Just for old time’s sake.
Yes indeed, life really can be cruel sometimes.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:07 pm
Reinsdorf sure has an eye for talent!
Comment by Murph Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:10 pm
Will they hire Phil Reagan as the pitching coach?
Comment by Facts Matter Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:14 pm
What, they couldn’t find Lee Elia?
My Sox are going to kill me before COVID does. @Facepalm.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:15 pm
Look at the bright side. We have hope for Disco Demolition, Part II.
Comment by Fav Human Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:18 pm
=== Isn’t he like 80?===
So is our next President
Comment by May Soon Be Required Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 3:58 pm
Cleveland. Cincinnati. Tampa Bay. Milwaukee. Oakland. Or the Los Angeles Trouts of Anaheim.
Here are my 6 finalists. Help me pick a team to root for next year.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 4:08 pm
20 years into the 21st century seems like the perfect time to hire the master of 1980s baseball strategy
Comment by NoOneOfConsequence Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 4:11 pm
As a Cardinals fan, I appreciate the two championships. I also was glad he left when he did. I just don’t see this working out real well and I think a decade away from the bench has probably made him crankier than ever.
If the Sox win the WS or at least a pennant or two, it’ll look like a brilliant move. If they don’t, it’ll look like a disaster. I don’t see a lot of middle ground.
Comment by SIUEalum Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 4:12 pm
I don’t think he lasts the season. One social justice issue mention by one of the younger/star players and the wheels fall off real quick. I do hope the players hold off on trade demands until they sit down with him, but he’s not the guy for this team.
The pig on the lipstick is next season’s tickets are already paid for, with the percent increase included.
Comment by Anon for Now Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 4:13 pm
I remember when he was the youngest MLB manager, with the White Sox.
Is he bookending his career?
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 4:18 pm
All the pieces were in place. This is subtraction through addition. Ugh. And I’m a Cub fan.
Comment by SSL Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 4:24 pm
It reminds me of when the Saints tried to hire Mike Ditka as head coach.
Comment by Father Ted Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 4:40 pm
The Sox have the most attractive open managerial position in all of baseball. We go with a 76 year old who hasn’t managed in a decade. . . . .Whitey Herzog unavailable??
As one meme suggests . . . he is 76 years old, he should be running for President, not managing a baseball team.
Comment by Go Big Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 4:41 pm
La Russa as a candidate came out of nowhere for me, starting with the earlier rumor of his consideration. So 2020. What’s next, re-signing Bartolo Colon?
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 4:58 pm
Would share my thoughts but can’t stop laughing long enough to do so…
Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 5:33 pm
With all the talent LaRussa had in his past stint with Sox, followed by the A’s and Cards — plus condoning steriod use — winning three WS was a very low bar to achieve. Out of all the championship managers out there, the only worse choice would have Tommy Lasorda, but only because he’s 93.
Comment by Soxfan Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 5:50 pm
this is pay back for pushing Harold Baines over the finish line of the HOF where he doesnt belong
Comment by frank p Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 6:18 pm
As an old Cardinal fan (not quite as old as Tony) I wouldn’t underestimate this guy’s genius.
Comment by HighSox Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 6:33 pm
Reporters better be ready to get yelled at and booted on a regular basis
Comment by Space Cowboy Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 9:09 pm
“They should just change their names to the Chicago Reinsdorfs. I need to pick a new team.”
Sorry, that name was given to the former NBA franchise the Chicago Bulls …
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Oct 29, 20 @ 11:04 pm