Tony La Russa

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Lore & Background

La Russa's most significant achievement with Chicago occurred in 1983, when he guided the team to an American League West division title. This run earned him the American League Manager of the Year award, though his squad ultimately fell to the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series. The White Sox had been searching for direction until La Russa arrived mid-season in 1979, replacing Don Kessinger. Under his leadership, the team stabilized and eventually reached the playoffs. However, the relationship with ownership soured by 1986. After a poor start of 26–38, general manager Ken Harrelson fired La Russa during the season. Ironically, Harrelson had been La Russa's teammate at Binghamton in 1962. Decades later, former owner Jerry Reinsdorf expressed regret over allowing La Russa to be let go.

In Their Own Story

The turning point for La Russa came when he replaced Don Kessinger as manager of the White Sox in 1979. Kessinger had been fired with a 46–60 record, and La Russa stepped in at age 34 to lead a team that had struggled under previous management. He immediately turned things around, finishing the rest of the 1979 season with a 27–27 record. This momentum carried into the early 1980s, culminating in the division title in 1983. The atmosphere at Comiskey Park shifted as the team began to win consistently. Yet, the end came abruptly in 1986 when new general manager Ken Harrelson took over and dismissed La Russa after a dismal start. Harrelson also fired coach Dave Duncan during this shakeup, despite their shared history. The firing marked the end of an era that had seen the White Sox return to playoff contention for the first time in years.

Reader's Guide

La Russa's tenure with the White Sox demonstrates his ability to stabilize a franchise quickly. He took over mid-season in 1979 and immediately improved the team's performance, finishing .500 for the remainder of the year. His strategic approach earned him Manager of the Year honors in 1983 after leading the club to an AL West title. La Russa was known for his work with Dave Duncan, whom he later rehired as a coach; their partnership began when they were teammates at Binghamton in 1962 and continued through every team La Russa managed thereafter. His departure in 1986 was controversial, orchestrated by new GM Ken Harrelson after a 26–38 start. La Russa left with a 522–510 record, having established the foundation for modern bullpen usage that would define his later success.

Did You Know?

• La Russa became the youngest manager in the major leagues at age 34 when he took over the White Sox mid-season in 1979.
• He was fired by general manager Ken Harrelson, who ironically had been La Russa's teammate at Binghamton in 1962.
• La Russa finished his first White Sox tenure with a 522–510 regular season record and added another 156–134 record in his second stint (2021–2022).
• La Russa and catcher Dave Duncan first met as players with the Athletics; they worked together on every La Russa-managed team thereafter.