Cubs vs. Cards Needs La Russa

Cubs fans won’t admit it, but we would all miss Tony La Russa had he left St. Louis for greener pastures.

Every good rivalry needs a dislikeable leader on the other side, and La Russa fits the mold perfectly.

He comes off grumpy and opinionated, but most notably, he’s smart.

Yet, there’s no surprise La Russa decided to remain with the Cardinals for another year.

After spending 15 years managing in St. Louis, a terrific baseball town with Dave Duncan and Albert Pujols at his beck-and-call, why would La Russa want go elsewhere anyway?

So he’s clashed with the front office from time to time, big deal. That’s unavoidable in any profession.

Besides, at 65-years-old the skipper has nothing more to prove.

He’s won division titles, pennants and two World Series and is comfortable financially and professionally.

Whether or not La Russa finishes out his career next year or the following one is yet to be determined, but most importantly he’ll walk away from where he always belonged, managing the Red Birds from Wrigley’s visiting dugout.