Tony La Russa Managerial Tenure
Tony La Russa managed the White Sox in two stints, winning the AL West in 1983 and returning for the 2021–2022 seasons.
Tony La Russa managed the Chicago White Sox from 1979 to 1986 and again from 2021 to 2022. He was named manager in the middle of the 1979 season, replacing Don Kessinger, and led the team to an American League West division title in 1983. He was fired in the middle of the 1986 season after a 26–38 start.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Manager
- Tenure years
- 1979–1986, 2021–2022
- Division titles won
- 1 (1983)
- Award received
- AL Manager of the Year (1983)
- Hall of fame induction
- 2014
- Notable acquisition
- Carlton Fisk (1981)
- Departure destination
- Oakland Athletics
Lore & Background
La Russa was the fourth manager of the White Sox in the 1979 season. The sequence was Bob Lemon, then Larry Doby, then Don Kessinger (player-manager), then La Russa. After Kessinger was fired with a 46–60 record, La Russa took over and managed the team to a 27–27 finish. He was fired in 1986 by new general manager Ken Harrelson, who also fired coach Dave Duncan. La Russa finished his first White Sox tenure with a 522–510 regular season record and a 1–3 postseason record.
Reader's Guide
La Russa's managerial career with the White Sox began in 1979 when he replaced Don Kessinger. He was named American League Manager of the Year in 1983 after the White Sox won the AL West. He was fired in 1986 after a 26–38 start.
Did You Know?
- La Russa was the youngest manager in the major leagues when he took over the White Sox in 1979 at age 34.
- White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf later expressed regret for allowing La Russa to be fired.
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