La Russa steps down as White Sox manager over health issues
CHICAGO – Tony La Russa stepped down as manager of the Chicago White Sox on Monday because of a pair of health issues, ending a disappointing two-year run in the same spot where the Hall of Famer got his first job as a big league skipper.
La Russa, a three-time World Series champion who turns 78 on Tuesday, missed the final 34 games with the underachieving White Sox. He left the team on Aug. 30 because of problems with a pacemaker that was implanted in February.
While La Russa was away from the team, he got checked for a different medical issue that was previously diagnosed during an annual exam. That second health problem led to his departure from the team.
“Now however that I’m in the treatment program, it’s become obvious that the length of the treatment and recovery process for the second issue makes it impossible to be the manager in 2023,” La Russa said.
Chicago began the season with World Series aspirations but was plagued by injuries and inconsistent play. It improved to 80-80 with a 3-2 victory over Minnesota on Monday night.
Speaking in front of much of the organization, including his players, La Russa shouldered the blame for what happened this year.
“I understand the ultimate responsibility for each minus this season belongs to the manager,” he said. “That’s accurate, because there’s always something else you could do.
“I was hired to provide positive, difference-making leadership and support. Our record this year is proof I did not do my job.”
Bench coach Miguel Cairo took over after La Russa stepped away. The White Sox showed a spark right after the change, winning 10 of 14. But they dropped eight straight in late September, dashing their playoff hopes.
General manager Rick Hahn said Cairo will get an interview for the fulltime job, but indicated a preference for someone outside the organization.
“I think we are going to use this opportunity to get different perspectives,” Hahn said.
La Russa, who is close friends with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, was a surprise hire in October 2020, and he directed the team to the AL Central title last year.
But the White Sox sputtered throughout much of 2022, and there were chants of “Fire Tony! Fire Tony!” at Guaranteed Rate Field.
All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson and sluggers Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert missed significant time because of injuries. Catcher Yasmani Grandal and third baseman Yoán Moncada also had health issues, and they underperformed when they were on the field.
“The squandering of this year is something that I know individually I will carry with me for a while,” Hahn said.