Oakland Athletics’ Mike Gallego looks back at retiring manager Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa will be known in history for a lot of things but the most recent memory that will linger on for a long time will be his recent accomplishment as the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. The skipper not only got the Cards to the post season,
this year, on a wildcard promotion off the last day of the regular season, but he led the club to a World Series victory over the Texas Rangers. Oakland Athletics’ Mike Gallego had a few words to share on the retiring gaffer on Monday, October 31.
"The man had the same approach and attitude toward every game, whether it was the first game of the season, a game in the middle of July or if it was in October," Oakland infield coach Mike Gallego said. "It was amazing to see a man at guard every moment.
You'd think you'd see him relax at some point. The man never did. He never did until that last out was made, and it would only last for a second before he started preparing for the next game."
La Russa managed the A’s between the years of 1986 and 1995, sending the club to the World Series in 1988, 1989 and 1990. Apart from winning two ultimate titles with the Cards, the manager won one for the A’s in 1989. Gallego worked under La Russa and that
means a lot to the coach. He transformed him into a better player in the league.
With 33 years under his belt, La Russa retires with three World Series titles. He becomes one of the nine managers in history to win that list of titles in Major League Baseball. The skipper has left a legacy for his followers to aspire to. Gallego is one
man who will hope to emulate the manager, in the coming years.
"What a classic way for a manager of his stature to retire - on top," Gallego said.
The Coach said that he was proud to be part of La Russa’s management team in the past and he would cherish those times, especially when he was a rookie, trying to set his pace in the competition.
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