Tony La Russa

Anthony La Russa, Jr. (born October 4, 1944, in Tampa, Florida) is a manager in Major League Baseball, currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is one of six managers in history to win pennants with both American and National League teams. He is ranked third all-time for total number of career wins, trailing only Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGraw (2,763). He is one of only two managers to be named Manager of the Year in both of baseball's major leagues.

Playing career

La Russa (often misspelled LaRussa) was signed by the Kansas City Athletics as a middle infielder prior to the start of the 1962 season. He came up to the A's the next season, making his debut on May 10, 1963. In the following off-season he suffered a shoulder injury while playing softball with friends, and the shoulder continued to bother him during the remainder of his playing career.

Related Topics:
Kansas City Athletics - Infielder - 1962 - May 10 - 1963

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Over the next six seasons, La Russa spent most of his time in the minor leagues, making it to the now-Oakland A's roster in 1968 and 1969. He spent the entire 1970 season with the big club, and then late in 1971 the A's traded him to the Atlanta Braves. His final big league playing stop was with the Chicago Cubs, where he appeared as a pinch-runner in one game, on April 6, 1973. He also spent time in the organizations of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Related Topics:
Minor leagues - 1968 - 1969 - 1970 - 1971 - Atlanta Braves - Chicago Cubs - April 6 - 1973 - Pittsburgh Pirates - Chicago White Sox

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~