Russell Not Resentful Career Has Gone South

He has swapped Dodger blue for Devil Ray black, burying any animosity in the process.

Bill Russell, fired as Dodger manager last June 21, was hired in December as manager of Tampa Bay’s Orlando farm team, its double-A affiliate in the Southern League. “I’m working with new people in a new organization,” Russell said during a break at the club’s training base. “I like the idea of being on the field and helping build a foundation.

“I had a good run of 33 years with the Dodgers. I have a lot of good memories and feel like we accomplished a lot, but it was time to move on. I’m looking forward now to another challenge in my career.”

Russell went to the winter meetings in December on a job search. He was offered several scouting opportunities, he said, but wanted to remain in uniform.

The Southern League encompasses Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama.

“Long bus rides,” Russell said, smiling, “but on good buses compared to what I rode in 30 years ago in the Cal League.”

He looks back, but with no anger, feeling it would serve no purpose to express bitterness about his firing as Dodger manager or to discuss the state of his relationship with Tom Lasorda.

“Nobody likes being fired, but it’s the nature of the game,” Russell said. “I was hurt and disappointed at the time, but I’m here now and having a good time. I have no animosity. I’d like to manage in the majors again and still feel I’m capable, but that’s not where my focus is now. I mean, I’m not the first manager to be fired and I won’t be the last. It was just that I was the first Dodger manager [to be fired] in a long time.”

The tenures of Lasorda and Walter Alston spanned almost 45 years, coinciding almost with the 48-year ownership of Walter and Peter O’Malley. Last year was the first full year under the Fox banner. Russell paid the price for an imperfect team. The payroll has almost doubled since, he pointed out, and there have been widespread changes on and off the field.

“And I’m sure there will be others until they feel they get it right,” Russell said.