La Russa calls it quits

ST. LOUIS -- Tony La Russa said goodbye to baseball Monday and became the first manager to retire immediately after winning a World Series.

"I think this just feels like it's time to end it," said La Russa, 67. "When I look in the mirror, I know I'd come back for the wrong reasons, and I didn't want to do that."

La Russa said he told general manager John Mozeliak of his decision in August -- before the Cards rallied from a 101/2-game deficit in the NL wild-card race to earn a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season. They then upset the Phillies and Brewers in the playoffs and beat the Rangers in a seven-game World Series -- after twice coming within a strike of elimination in Game 6.

"I tip my hat to him. He's had a great career. What a way to go out," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said.

La Russa's meeting with players was short and emotional. "Some grown men cried," La Russa said, joking that "I kind of liked that because they made me cry a few times."

La Russa won the World Series with Oakland in 1989, St. Louis in 1996 and this year, joining Sparky Anderson as the only manager to win with clubs in both leagues.

During 33 seasons with the Chicago White Sox (1979-86), Oakland (1986-95) and St. Louis (1996-11), La Russa compiled a 2,728-2,365 regular-season record. He trails only Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGraw (2,763) for wins. His 70 postseason wins are behind only Joe Torre's 84.

A rare manager with a law degree, La Russa was voted AL Manager of the Year three times and NL Manager of the Year in 2002.

"I think you can make a case for him as best of all-time. Absolutely," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who coached for La Russa with the White Sox after managing against him in the minors.

La Russa revolutionized the sport during his time with Oakland, making Dennis Ecklersey a one-inning closer. Now virtually all 30 big-league teams have one.

"He's been an outstanding leader of many different teams under many different circumstances, and that's hard to do," said Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, La Russa's GM with the Athletics.

La Russa had unusual strategies: He started a game with the pitcher batting eighth 432 times. He was renowned for his use of batter-pitcher matchups in determining which reliever to bring in, but he also ridiculed "Moneyball" and its emphasis on statistics over human scouting and observation.

Before heading home to California, La Russa said he is happy he doesn't know what the future holds for him. He joked about his next occupation. "Maybe open a bookstore," he said.