Tony LaRussa Retires: Is He Top 5 All Time Among Managers?

Tony LaRussa led the St. Louis Cardinals to their second World Series title in six seasons, further solidifying himself as one of the greatest managers in the history of the game.

LaRussa began his managing career in 1979 as the 34-year-old manager of the Chicago White Sox.  He remained on Chicago's South Side until approximately one-third of the way through the 1986 season.  Later that year he took over the Oakland A's, and his career as a manager really began to blossom.

LaRussa was the A's manager through 1995, compiling a record of 798-673, a .542 winning percentage.  LaRussa led the A's to three American League pennants and one World Series title.  LaRussa took over the St Louis Cardinals in 1996 and has compiled a 1408-1182 record, a .542 winning percentage, and accumulated three National League pennants and now two World Series titles with the Cardinals.

National League-style baseball is so different from American League-style baseball.  The fact the pitcher hits in National League games creates countless scenarios that managers never have to worry about in the American League.  For a manager to have achieved such success in both leagues is impressive, to say the least.

Tony LaRussa currently stands in third place for all-time managerial wins behind only John McGraw, who won 2763 games, and Connie Mack and his 3731 wins. 

LaRussa will surpass McGraw next year, assuming he doesn't retire.  It would be a stretch to say that LaRussa has a chance to catch Connie Mack, but there is no shame in that.

LaRussa will most likely finish his career in second place all-time for managerial wins.  That is a pretty surreal accomplishment.  Joe Torre was a fantastic manager, widely believed to be one of the best of his time.  LaRussa stands at over 400 wins more than Torre as of this article being written. 

Not to take anything away from Torre who won one more World Series than LaRussa, including three in a row, but LaRussa has him beat.  Torre will enter the Hall of Fame on the first ballot as soon as he is eligible, as will LaRussa.

What really intrigues me about LaRussa is the manner in which he has arrived at this point in time.  LaRussa has always been regarded as one of the best managers in the game, but he was never admired by baseball fans across the country the way that Torre was. 

LaRussa always has gone about his business the way he wants to, and it works.  Players love to play for him and his fans are eternally devoted.

I hope that LaRussa decides to continue managing for years to come.  If he does, he will only be building on his legend as the greatest modern-day manager in baseball.  He cast that legend in stone on October 28, 2011.