Tony La Russa Reaches 5,000 Games As Manager

Kansas City / Oakland Athletics (1963, 1968–1971)
Atlanta Braves (1971)
Chicago Cubs (1973)

As manager:
(Record: 2,676-2,319-4)
Chicago White Sox (1979–1986)
Oakland Athletics (1986–1995)
St. Louis Cardinals (1996–present)

Tony has had a long and illustrious career that has gone over a period that hardly even seems real. He won the world championship with the A’s in 1989 and the Cardinals in 2006. He is a four time manager of the year.

“I decided I’d rather ride the buses in the minor leagues than practice law for a living.”
– Tony LaRussa

It’s funny Tony’s career as a manager was almost never even meant to be. He earned his JD Degree from Florida State and even went on to pass the bar in 1974, right after his playing career was over. When contemplating his future plans, he asked one of his professors what he should do regarding his future as he was just given the opportunity to coach in the minor leagues. To which his professor replied:

I for one am happy some people still have the integrity to follow their dreams.