WSox manager La Russa out indefinitely with health issue
Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa paces through the dugout during the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Guaranteed Rate Field, Aug. 26, 2022. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
CHICAGO - Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa is out indefinitely because of an unspecified health issue.
The 77-year-old La Russa missed Tuesday night’s 9-7 loss to Kansas City on the recommendation of his doctors. The team said he is scheduled to undergo additional testing in Arizona with his personal physicians "over the coming days."
Bench coach Miguel Cairo will continue to serve as acting manager while La Russa is out.
"It’s unbelievably tough," outfielder Andrew Vaughn said. "We really don’t have much information on what’s going on."
La Russa’s absence on Tuesday was announced about one hour before the first pitch. The Hall of Famer showed no signs of health issues during his pregame session with reporters and while talking to general manager Rick Hahn and former Oakland Athletics pitching great Dave Stewart before the game.
La Russa is in the second season of his second managerial stint with Chicago. The team began the year with championship aspirations, but it has been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments.
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Heading into the second game of their series against the Royals, the White Sox had dropped five in a row to fall to 63-66. Chants of "Fire Tony! Fire Tony!" have been heard at Guaranteed Rate Field.
La Russa, who is close friends with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, was a surprise hire in October 2020, and he directed to the team to the AL Central title last year.
He started his managing career with the White Sox during the 1979 season. He won the World Series with Oakland in 1989 and St. Louis in 2006 and 2011.
La Russa and Sparky Anderson are the only managers to win the World Series in the American and National leagues.
La Russa was enshrined in Cooperstown in 2014. He got his first major league managing job at age 34 when the White Sox promoted him from Triple-A to replace the fired Don Kessinger. He took over that August and led them to a 522-510 record over parts of eight seasons.