Tony La Russa Is Retiring

deanemj · 10-31-2011, 10:23 AM

Tony La Russa retires days after winning World Series with St. Louis Cardinals - MLB News | FOX Sports on MSN

Well, I suppose that's the way to do it - retire as a champion.

Cooleyvol · 10-31-2011, 10:26 AM

I figured this was coming due to Tony's stance that he wouldn't manage without Dave Duncan. Duncan's wife has been very ill, so this is not a surprise.

Moz, go talk to Tito.

hopeful1212 · 10-31-2011, 10:44 AM

I'm a bit disappointed but not surprised. LaRussa's been talking about retiring for a few years now. Might as well go out on top. Picked up his 3rd WS this year and should pick up his 5th Manager of the Year award IMHO.

dsvitak · 10-31-2011, 10:52 AM

Local ESPN radio is an odd mixture of elation and sadness.

The general consensus is that LaRussa/Duncan will be damned difficult to replace.

Early local favorite is Terry Francona. Strong rumor, from a friend of mine who know some peeps, is that MO (John Mozeliak, Cards GM), told Francona to keep his powder dry, and to not jump at a job.

I could live with Francona as a manager.

Second favorite would be Jose Oquendo, the Secret Weapon.

Cooleyvol · 10-31-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsvitak

Local ESPN radio is an odd mixture of elation and sadness.

The general consensus is that LaRussa/Duncan will be damned difficult to replace.

Early local favorite is Terry Francona. Strong rumor, from a friend of mine who know some peeps, is that MO (John Mozeliak, Cards GM), told Francona to keep his powder dry, and to not jump at a job.

I could live with Francona as a manager.

Second favorite would be Jose Oquendo, the Secret Weapon.

They're impossible to replace. Duncan didn't get NEAR the credit he deserved. All you need to know about Duncan's worth is the fact that Tony said he wouldn't manage without him.

Erik W. · 10-31-2011, 12:36 PM

I wonder how this will affect Pujols' decision.

Bowtie · 10-31-2011, 12:42 PM

I was elated the day Tony became the manager of the Cardinals. I have been dreading this day for a long time. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 16 years of Tonyball and always looked forward to Tony TV after each game. I am very saddened to see Tony go. However, I can not blame him. I wish him the very best of luck with his future endeavors and I thank his family for allowing Tony to be away for 6 months + to be our manager for the past decade and a half. Cardinals baseball will not be the same without Tony. He will be very sorely missed. Thanks for all the wonderful memories Mr. La Russa.

Read more: La Russa retires as Cardinals manager

Bowtie · 10-31-2011, 12:46 PM

One quick thought of Tony's successor. What about promoting Mark McGwire?

Erik W. · 10-31-2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lollar9

One quick thought of Tony's successor. What about promoting Mark McGwire?

You're kidding, right?

Bowtie · 10-31-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lollar9

One quick thought of Tony's successor. What about promoting Mark McGwire?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik W.

You're kidding, right?

No, I'm not kidding. Think about it. How many years has the Big Mac been around La Russa? And hey, remember, Ozzie Guillen went from being a player to a manager without developing any managerial skills in the minors. At least McGwire has a couple of years of major league coaching experience whereas again Ozzie had none....

Erik W. · 10-31-2011, 01:05 PM

Ozzie had three years as a coach prior to being a manager.

McGwire is reclusive, stand-offish, and inexperienced, not to mention reviled by most of the public due to his steroid abuse. I'm not sure where the idea that he could be a manager comes from.

If they promote from within, he's behind Oquendo in line anyway. And even that's unlikely with Francona unemployed and Joe Madden already having declared the Cardinals to be his dream job.

Cooleyvol · 10-31-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lollar9

One quick thought of Tony's successor. What about promoting Mark McGwire?

Are you kidding me? No freaking way!

LeiterFanatic · 10-31-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik W.

McGwire is reclusive, stand-offish, and inexperienced, not to mention reviled by most of the public due to his steroid abuse.

This

mirrf · 10-31-2011, 02:30 PM

Congrats to Tony. I always loved him as a manager and hope he has a wonderful retirement. He still does a lot of involvement in the Bay Area, so I hope he comes back to where the weather is a bit nicer.

cephasjames · 10-31-2011, 02:56 PM

I didn't even realize McGwire was a coach. I though he would've been shunned by everyone.

Chicagofan76 · 10-31-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lollar9

No, I'm not kidding. Think about it. How many years has the Big Mac been around La Russa? And hey, remember, Ozzie Guillen went from being a player to a manager without developing any managerial skills in the minors. At least McGwire has a couple of years of major league coaching experience whereas again Ozzie had none....

Ozzie was atleast a coach and was not on steroids as a player. I like whoever said Oquendo, but now that TLR retired, I hope your team sucks. With Tony's retirement I retire my allegiance to STL though I still hope you guys destroy the Cubs.
I was hoping TLR was going to stay 1 more year to catch McGraw.

Chicagofan76 · 10-31-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirrf

Congrats to Tony. I always loved him as a manager and hope he has a wonderful retirement. He still does a lot of involvement in the Bay Area, so I hope he comes back to where the weather is a bit nicer.

I heard someone say on TV that he still lives in the Bay Area.

jaxmagicman · 10-31-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicagofan76

Ozzie was atleast a coach and was not on steroids as a player. I like whoever said Oquendo, but now that TLR retired, I hope your team sucks. With Tony's retirement I retire my allegiance to STL though I still hope you guys destroy the Cubs.
I was hoping TLR was going to stay 1 more year to catch McGraw.

What makes you say Ozzie was never on Steroids?

Chicagofan76 · 10-31-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxmagicman

What makes you say Ozzie was never on Steroids?

Because Ozzie Guillen unlike many hitters of the 80's and 90's didnt go from a spray hitter into a power hitter like Big Mac and SS's like Jose Valentin. I suppose you could say Ozzie was on steroids which helped him hit his 28 career HR. I just dont see it.

dsvitak · 10-31-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik W.

Ozzie had three years as a coach prior to being a manager.

McGwire is reclusive, stand-offish, and inexperienced, not to mention reviled by most of the public due to his steroid abuse. I'm not sure where the idea that he could be a manager comes from.

If they promote from within, he's behind Oquendo in line anyway. And even that's unlikely with Francona unemployed and Joe Madden already having declared the Cardinals to be his dream job.

OK. This is being unfair to Mark McGwire.

Cons: The media is not his friend. Many members of the public are against him, as well, even though the supplements he took were completely legal. He NEVER took steroids, the took Creatine, from GNC, which is a building block, a precursor if you will, for steroids. COMPLETELY FRIGGING LEGAL.

Pros: The players love him. The Cards led the NL in all kinds of offensive categories.

I personally do not think he is ready..but he DOES belong in the conversation.

10-31-2011, 10:23 AM	#1
deanemj Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 185	Tony La Russa Is Retiring Tony La Russa retires days after winning World Series with St. Louis Cardinals - MLB News \| FOX Sports on MSN Well, I suppose that's the way to do it - retire as a champion.

10-31-2011, 10:26 AM	#2
Cooleyvol Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Union City, TN Posts: 6,383	I figured this was coming due to Tony's stance that he wouldn't manage without Dave Duncan. Duncan's wife has been very ill, so this is not a surprise. Moz, go talk to Tito. Last edited by Cooleyvol; 10-31-2011 at 10:31 AM.

10-31-2011, 12:36 PM	#6
Erik W. Global Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rivière-du-Loup, Qc Posts: 4,615	I wonder how this will affect Pujols' decision. __________________ Free agent baseball fan. Let's go (insert team name here)!

10-31-2011, 12:46 PM	#8
Bowtie All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,316	The end of an era in Cardinals Country One quick thought of Tony's successor. What about promoting Mark McGwire?

10-31-2011, 01:05 PM	#11
Erik W. Global Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rivière-du-Loup, Qc Posts: 4,615	Ozzie had three years as a coach prior to being a manager. McGwire is reclusive, stand-offish, and inexperienced, not to mention reviled by most of the public due to his steroid abuse. I'm not sure where the idea that he could be a manager comes from. If they promote from within, he's behind Oquendo in line anyway. And even that's unlikely with Francona unemployed and Joe Madden already having declared the Cardinals to be his dream job. __________________ Free agent baseball fan. Let's go (insert team name here)!

10-31-2011, 10:44 AM	#3
hopeful1212 Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 385	I'm a bit disappointed but not surprised. LaRussa's been talking about retiring for a few years now. Might as well go out on top. Picked up his 3rd WS this year and should pick up his 5th Manager of the Year award IMHO.

10-31-2011, 10:52 AM	#4
dsvitak Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,374	Local ESPN radio is an odd mixture of elation and sadness. The general consensus is that LaRussa/Duncan will be damned difficult to replace. Early local favorite is Terry Francona. Strong rumor, from a friend of mine who know some peeps, is that MO (John Mozeliak, Cards GM), told Francona to keep his powder dry, and to not jump at a job. I could live with Francona as a manager. Second favorite would be Jose Oquendo, the Secret Weapon.

10-31-2011, 12:42 PM	#7
Bowtie All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,316	I was elated the day Tony became the manager of the Cardinals. I have been dreading this day for a long time. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 16 years of Tonyball and always looked forward to Tony TV after each game. I am very saddened to see Tony go. However, I can not blame him. I wish him the very best of luck with his future endeavors and I thank his family for allowing Tony to be away for 6 months + to be our manager for the past decade and a half. Cardinals baseball will not be the same without Tony. He will be very sorely missed. Thanks for all the wonderful memories Mr. La Russa. Read more: La Russa retires as Cardinals manager

10-31-2011, 02:56 PM	#15
cephasjames Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,736	I didn't even realize McGwire was a coach. I though he would've been shunned by everyone. __________________ 5000+ Generic Logos Free for the Taking FREE: Uniforms and logos for 500+ teams spanning 1871-present Great Lakes League: 10 Conferences, 100 Teams Pre-OOTP 23 Custom Cap & Jersey Template v3.0 by Deft and NoPepper (with layers from other various artists) that I use: Caps, Jerseys