La Russa Signs Deal to Manage Cardinals : Baseball: He leaves Oakland after 10 years and one World Series title.
Tony La Russa, who led the Oakland Athletics to a World Series championship and three American League pennants in 10 years, on Monday signed a two-year contract worth an estimated $1.5 million per season to manage the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals finished fourth in the National League Central at 62-81 under Joe Torre and Mike Jorgensen. The A’s finished last in the AL West at 67-77, but La Russa’s track record put him in demand and he took advantage of an opportunity to leave Oakland with two years left on his contract.
La Russa has managed for 17 years--all in the American League. He took his first major-league job in 1979 with the Chicago White Sox. With 1,320 victories, he’s second behind only the Dodgers’ Tommy Lasorda among active managers.
La Russa, 51, brings his longtime pitching coach, Dave Duncan, with him. Duncan replaces Mark Riggins, who was with the Cardinals one season.
The Cardinals will retain Lou Brock and Red Schoendienst in capacities that have not been determined. La Russa spoke Monday with batting coach Chris Chambliss and said other members of his Oakland staff would be considered for other openings.
Jorgensen returns, at least for now, to his job as director of player development for the
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