LaRussa, "Tony" (Anthony Jr.)
Baseball
b. Oct. 4, 1944, Tampa, FL
An infielder, LaRussa appeared in only 132 major league games in 6 different seasons from 1963 through 1973. After receiving a law degree from Florida State University, he began managing in the minor leagues in 1978 and took over the Chicago White Sox during the 1979 season.
LaRussa was named manager of the year in 1983, when the White Sox won the Western Division championship, but they were defeated by the Baltimore Orioles in the league championship series.
After a 26-38 record in 1986, the White Sox replaced LaRussa. He was hired a short time later to manage the Oakland Athletics, who were in seventh place at the time. LaRussa brought them into a third-place tie. They finished third again in 1987, then won three consecutive pennants and the 1989 world championship.
LaRussa won the manager of the year award in 1988 and in 1992, when Oakland won another division title, losing to Toronto in the league championship series.
After three straight losing seasons, from 1993 to 1995, LaRussa was fired by Oakland and promptly hired by the St. Louis Cardinals. They won the Central Division title in his first season and LaRussa was named manager of the year by the Associated Press.
The Cardinals slipped down in the standings the next three years, but then made the playoffs three years ago, winning the Central Division in 2000 and 2002. In 2001, they finished in a tie for the top spot but went into the playoffs as a wildcard team.
LaRussa was the consensus National League mangaer of the year in 2002.