Tony La Russa's career ended in 2011, his final season as the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. Three years later he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, with the Baseball Writers Association of America believing his career was over.
In a shocking twist, Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf hired La Russa prior to the 2021 season — 44 years after his first season in the White Sox dugout — and La Russa led the White Sox to a 93-win season and first place in the American League Central.
More news: Bob Uecker Dies: MLB World Remembers Legendary Announcer, Actor, Catcher
Privately, La Russa was fighting a health battle he did not reveal until this week.
Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday that La Russa was first diagnosed with cancer during 2021 spring training, early in his second stint with the White Sox.
More news: Dodgers' Brooklyn Native Who Welcomed Jackie Robinson Dies: Report
While doctors advised La Russa to get treatment right away, Ostler reports the 80-year-old Hall of Famer said "Nah," and managed the whole year anyway. The following year, "I get my physical and all the sudden it's, 'Hey, you still got it, a little more'," La Russa told Ostler.
A heart issue late in the 2022 season finally forced La Russa to take some time off from managing. After the season, he retired from the job — this time, for good.
According to Ostler, it was Reinsdorf who suggested that La Russa use the time off to get his cancer checked out:
He did, and the doctors told La Russa the situation had worsened and he needed chemo and surgery, stat. He started chemo infusions late in '22 and underwent surgery in January 2023. There were post-op complications and more than a dozen hospital stays.
While La Russa is reportedly doing well, the White Sox are struggling in his absence.
More news: MLB Power Rankings: Top 10 Third Basemen
Rookie manager Pedro Grifol succeeded La Russa in 2023 and saw the team fall to 61-101 in 2023. In 2024, the White Sox set a modern MLB record by losing 121 games. Grifol did not last until the end of the season, and rookie manager Will Venable took over with the team still firmly entrenched in a youthful rebuild.
A four-time Manager of the Year, La Russa's 2,902 career wins rank second in MLB history. His teams captured six pennants and three World Series titles.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
English (US) ·