No manager likes the spotlight quite like Tony La Russa. And that was evident once again after Game 5, when the Cardinals’ manager said there was some miscommunication when he was talking on the phone with bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist. La Russa wanted closer Jason Motte to get loose in the eighth, but instead Lance Lynn started throwing. Reliever Marc Rzepczynski was left in the game and let up a two-run double to Rangers catcher Mike Napoli, leading to Texas’ 4-2 victory. Crowd noise was blamed for the misunderstanding.
So with the Rangers up 3-2 in the World Series and Napoli coming off another clutch hit, the biggest storyline entering Game 6 is La Russa and a dropped phone call.
La Russa is often criticized for making too many moves and is the epitome of the word “over-managing.”
But it’s also hard to argue against him being one of the best managers of all time. La Russa is one of only two skippers to ever win the World Series in both leagues. He’s third in career wins. And he has won six pennants, more than Bobby Cox and Tommy Lasorda.
So what would one more World Series title do for his already illustrious career?
Over the past 55 years, only Joe Torre and Sparky Anderson have won three World Series titles.
At 67, La Russa may not have many seasons left before he decides to retire. The longest tenured bench coach among the four major sports has already mulled the decision in the past. And another title may be the perfect ending to his career.
La Russa can’t ever resist being the center of attention, and whenever he does decide to leave the game he will have his day of glory in Cooperstown.
But for the time being, we will hear about how a dropped call may have decided Game 5 of the World Series. It’s just another chapter in the legacy of La Russa.
– Jeffrey Tomik
