NOV. 2: The Red Sox have formally announced the addition of La Russa to their baseball operations department. Per the team’s release, La Russa “will assist Dombrowski in all areas of baseball operations, including player development and consultation with the major and minor league coaching staffs.”
NOV. 1: The Red Sox are set to add Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa to their organization, according to a report from Chad Jennings and Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. La Russa just wrapped up a stint with the Diamondbacks, which he began as “chief baseball officer” and ended as “chief baseball analyst” after a front office shakeup.
We’ll likely know more soon, as the Herald reports an announcement could come tomorrow. What is clear is that La Russa will not be wearing a uniform. Jennings and Silverman say that he’s not slated to take a role on the staff of incoming skipper Alex Cora.
La Russa, who is now 73 years of age, instead seems slated to join a front office that’s helmed by Dave Dombrowski. (The two go way back, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag notes on Twitter.) It seems likely that La Russa will function in some kind of senior advisory capacity rather than taking up a spot with everyday duties in the chain of command, though that’s just speculation at this stage.
Boston has failed to make its way out of the divisional round in each of the past two postseasons, despite capturing consecutive AL East crowns. In the aftermath, skipper John Farrell lost his job and was ultimately replaced by Cora — who’ll be a rookie manager but is currently experiencing a deep run in his job as the Astros bench coach. It’s not entirely clear whether La Russa will have any role in helping to mentor Cora, but his vast experience will surely be drawn on as the organization looks both to repeat its divisional title and advance further into the playoffs.
What if, and bear with me on this, the Red Sox didn’t add La Russa to any part of the organization, instead?
After watching the “genius” out here in AZ the past couple of years, that would be MY vote.
So are you guys giving Hazen/Lovullo all of the credit for the D’backs sudden turnaround. I’m just asking, not defending LaRussa
I can’t reasonably quantify La Russa’s impact on the current DBacks but given his role it likely wasn’t that significant either way.
Comments he’s made in the past make me think he’s a hardline traditionalist, though, and I’m of the opinion that that’s not the best in today’s game.
That said, he probably won’t have much effect either way on the Red Sox. These special advisor roles all seem fairly arbitrary.
I just don’t want him to mess with Cora, really.
I’d have preferred La Russa out of the game long before his ARI tenure on account of his complete lack of leadership in OAK regarding his players’ obvious PED use and in STL where his own DUI was followed just a month later by Josh Hancock’s DUI death after allegedly leaving Cardinal broadcaster Mike Shannon’s sports bar visibly intoxicated.
Anyone who thinks any PED users should be kept out of the Hall of Fame and La Russa and the used-car-salesman-turned-Commissioner “Bud” Selig fast-tracked in is delusional about who knew what during the steroid era, in my opinion.
He’s part of a new strategy to surround Trader Dave with lots of old cronies. Next to be signed to a front office role will be Curt Shilling. Shil is replacing Dennis Eckersley who walked away from his renewal because of the team’s weak stance towards David Price.
Eck wanted Dave to “kick the rich guy’s butt” for his antics.
Do you think LaRussa was the only manager or coach who know what was going on? So why do you think he should be the scrapegoat of that era? Just wondering???
This is such a radical idea that Michael Lewis will probably write a book about it and have Brad Pitt play you in the movie adaptation.
Oops, he’s not available so they got Bobcat Goldthwait instead.
good God man “Bobcat Goldthwait” how 1980’s of you…lofl
So how many prospects will STL offer to Arizona for Shelby Miller?
I’m sure somewhere in there is an attempted joke?
Not trying to be condescending, but LaRussa heading to Boston as an advisor wouldn’t have any effect there. Now if you meant Boston instead of StL…
Odds dombrowski gives him any power bc let’s face it dom wants all power would be shocking. Can he help dom yes 100% as some kind as advisor unlike in ari I doubt he’ll have any true power. This is his chance to fix his name from his days in ari win a ring and retire from baseball.
He just wants to finish out his baseball career as a clubhouse janitor to come full circle.
He was a good manger but seems to be clueless as a front office man. I don’t understand why Boston even needs him seems like a waste of money to me.
There was a time when the Red Sox were one the smarter and well-run organizations in baseball… not now!!
As someone who can’t stand the Red Sox, I’m thrilled!
What t f…!!!why Boston???why???old school guy!!i hope he don’t mess Cora wt plans!!
Well said
Eloquent!
La Russa met Dombrowski during their White Sox days. Remember when Reinsdorf promoted Hawk Harrelson to GM and then he let him fire Tony. Mercy!
Funny stuff there. Who said hawk never could take 2 ego’s in the same room?
Do miss tuning into Chisox games now and then and he’s not doing them all 9 innings on TV btw.. One of the best.
Dombrowski is just doing an old friend a favor. “Hope he doesn’t mess with Cora” is the craziest thought ever.
The game has changed. No more managing by the book or gut instincts It all analytical a new breed of robot manager for the front office
LaRussa was a quick thinking and hard nosed manager for St. Louis! Even now I would Love to see him back in St. Lou but we know that isn’t gonna happen! All of you nasayers of him I have only one question to ask! If you are so damn talented then why didn’t you apply for the position or get hired for the position!
La Russa was rather innovative back in the 80s and 90s. Bill James considered him a top manager when Tony was with the Sox. The game has seemed to pass him by.
You know that questions end in question marks and not exclamations, right?
So, you think this “job” was listed on LinkedIn? You don’t seem to understand how cronyism works.
La Russa only got the job because his friend of 40 years hired him
LaRussa is so old that…
La Russa is so old that….. He’s forgotten more about baseball than you’ll ever know. How’s that? Seems legit.
LaRussa knew McGuire and Canseco where on steroids when in Oakland. Not quite the best live by example to follow anyway…
He wasn’t the only one! Why do you think he should be the scrapegoat?
DD just wants somebody to drink liquor with during the day
He must be broke! He’s like a bad penny , you can’t get rid of him
Come on, Brad Penny wasn’t that bad….
What kinda assistance?
LaRussa falls into the same category as Jason Varitek and Big Papi for the Red Sox..
ADVISOR.
I seriously doubt LaRussa wants more than that.
I seriously doubt the Red Sox want more than that.