Thursday, April 10, 2008

#344 Tony LaRussa




Why this card is awesome: Because I think this card has aged the best out of all the cards in the set. Why? Because LaRussa managed the A's for years, and has now managed the Cardinals for years, and to me this photo seems like it could have taken yesterday (except that he's not wearing red.)

Cool stat: LaRussa didn't have much of a playing career, but he did manage 2 three-hit games even though he only had 35 hits in his career. I wonder if that's a record.

It seems pretty likely that LaRussa will make the HOF as a manager one day. He has the 3rd most wins all-time, and while he also has the 3rd most losses, he's got a good winning percentage. He's been to 5 World Series and won two.

4 comments:

MMayes said...

I wish I could do with my law degree what TLR has done with his...

On a side note, does it seem like there are a large number of World Series winning managers from Tampa. Off the top of my head, there's TLR, Lou Piniella and (I think) Dick Howser.

Unknown said...

Howser's from Miami. But Tampa also boasts HOF Player/Manager Al Lopez.

Andy said...

Other notable players or managers from Tampa include Derek Bell, Kevin Cash, Nardi Contreras, Tim Crews, Carl "Dinosaur Jr" Everett, Steve Garvey, Luis Gonzalez, Dwight Gooden, Garry Hancock, Mike Heath, Dave Magadan, Matt Mantei, Tino Martinez, Lance McCullers, Fred McGriff, Jason Michaels, Rich Monteleone, Gene Nelson, Chris Ray, Jody Reed, Gary Sheffield (just like uncle Doc), and Floyd Youmans.

Unknown said...

Bell and Sheffield were Little League teammates in Tampa.

As were Piniella and TLR.