White Sox can talk to La Russa

Hall of Famer gets OK from Angels on interview

The Angels granted the White Sox permission to interview Hall of Famer Tony La Russa for their managing job, according to reportsWednesday.

A three-time World Serieswinningmanager, the 76-year-old La Russa joined the Angels prior to this season as senior advisor of baseball operations.

The White Sox agreed to split with Rick Renteria after a disappointing finish to a breakthrough season in which the team made the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

La Russa, who started his managing career with the White Sox during the 1979 season, hasn’t managed since 2011, when he led the Cardinals past the Rangers in the World Series. He also won championships with A’s in 1989 and the Cardinals in 2006.

If hired, he would be the oldest manager in the major leagues by five years. Astros manager Dusty Baker is 71.

La Russa is 2,728-2,365 with six pennants over 33 seasons with the White Sox, A’s and Cardinals and was enshrined in Cooperstown in 2014. Only Hall of Famers Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGraw (2,763) have more victories.

LaRussa managed the White Sox to a 522-510 record over parts of eight seasons. He led the 1983 team to 99 wins and the ALWest championship. But hewas fired in 1986 by then-GM Ken Harrelson after the White Sox got off to a 26-38 start.

Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has long regretted that move and remains close with La Russa. If La Russa gets the job, he will inherit a team that appears poised for long-term success.

The White Sox have never made back-to-back playoff appearances. But after ending a string of seven losing seasons, they’re in position to change that.

No big changes for Yankees: