Chicago White Sox Soar Under Interim Manager Miguel Cairo As Tony La Russa Continues To Recover

On June 21,1986, Chicago White Sox Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Ken Harrelson fired manager Tony La Russa.

La Russa, 41 at the time of his dismissal, began his tenure as White Sox manager in 1979. He replaced player-manager Don Kessinger as the team’s skipper, finishing the season with a record of 27-27.

La Russa, now 77, has been a big league manager for parts of 37 seasons.

La Russa has managed three World Series Championship teams. He guided the Oakland Athletics to a World title in 1989, and managed the 2006 and 2010 St. Louis Cardinals to World Championships.

La Russa was voted to the Hall of Fame on December 9, 2013, by the 16-member Hall of Fame Veterans Committee. He was inducted to the Hall July 27, 2014.

On October 29, 2020, it was announced that the White Sox hired La Russa to become their new manager, replacing the fired Rick Renteria. Hiring La Russa is said to have been owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s decision.

Prior to re-hiring La Russa, White Sox majority owner Reinsdorf had long stated his personal regret that La Russa was dismissed as manager by his team in 1989. He had stated publicly that it was the worst mistake of his ownership.

At the time of his newest managerial hiring, it was widely reported that Rick Hahn, White Sox general manager, favored A.J. Hinch as his new manager. That didn’t happen, as La Russa is now nearing completion of his second season back with his former team.

La Russa Report Card:

Before returning to manage the White Sox in 2021, La Russa had not managed a team since he left the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. The game has changed considerably in those years.

From the rules of the game, to the attitudes and skills of the players, major league baseball when La Russa returned to the dugout last season had taken on a totally new and different landscape. From extra innings beginning with a “ghost runner” on second base to pitchers being required to face a minimum number of batters, the MLB playing field had undergone considerable “tweaking” and refinement since La Russa last managed.

Last year, La Russa was widely criticized for not knowing all the new rules and nuances of the game. He was criticized for not properly evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of his team. But…he finished his first season back in the dugout with a record of 93-69, 13 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians, and the winner of the American League Central division.

La Russa’s White Sox lost to the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series in four games.

While fans were never totally “sold” on La Russa, his White Sox were favored to easily win the American League Central again this year.

Fans had great hopes for another World Series Championship. The White Sox were favored by most analysts to easily win the American League Central Division once again.

La Russa Becomes Ill:

An hour before first pitch Tuesday, July 30, Tony La Russa announced he would miss the game at the direction of his doctors.

La Russa then flew to Arizona to meet with his private physicians.

It has been reported that La Russa sought the opinion of cardiologists and doctors in Phoenix.

It was stated that the manager would be “out indefinitely.”

A pacemaker was inserted in his heart, and La Russa remains recovering from the procedure.

As of this writing, he has not returned to the dugout.

On Sunday, September 11, La Russa joined his team when they were playing the Oakland Athletics in Oakland. La Russa wanted to participate in a ceremony honoring former pitcher Dave Stewart, so he joined his team in California. But he wasn’t in the dugout managing.

La Russa did return to Chicago, but watched his White Sox take on the Colorado Rockies from a suite at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. He had not been cleared to return to managing.

As of this writing, there is no timetable for La Russa’s return as the White Sox, who are in a heated pennant race with the Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins.

Miguel Cairo Becomes Interim Manager:

Retired MLB infielder Miguel Cairo, 48, serves as La Russa’s bench coach. Now, Cairo is the Interim Manager of the team, and a very successful manager, at that.

Cairo assumed the role of Interim Manager August 31.

Cairo had a 17-year MLB career from 1996 to 2012. He played for nine different teams.

Cairo had played under La Russa’s management in 2001-2003 and again in 2007 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

When Cairo’s playing career ended with the Cincinnati Reds in 2012, he became a special assistant to the general manager the following season. He also served briefly as the team’s bench coach.

To be sure, the season had not been going well for the White Sox. In a word, the team was underachieving. And that may be an understatement.

For most of this season, the White Sox have been widely criticized. There have been injuries to key players. Critics have been uniformly consistent in pointing out lackadaisical, sloppy play, and a visible lack of energy and team enthusiasm on the field. Those traits are said to have plagued this year’s edition of La Russa’s team. The White Sox have failed the “eye test” of many observers.

Interim manager Cairo let it be known that he was taking charge-at least for the time being.

Reports have indicated that Cairo made a “fiery” speech when he first assumed his role as interim manager. His words were described by some as “eye opening.”

Cairo said, “I let them know how I feel” before his team took the field against the Colorado Rockies. “Are you in or are you out? If you’re out, let me know. If you’re in, let’s go for it.”

The White Sox have played like a different team in the past half month. At the start of play against the Detroit Tigers September 16, The club’s record under Cairo is 11-4. That does, indeed, speak volumes.

Cairo’s White Sox blew out the rival Cleveland Guardians 8-2 September 15. They hit five home runs in a crucial, convincing victory during the makeup game in Cleveland. The homers came in the first five innings, and helped put the game away early for pitcher Lance Lynn.

To this observer, the team looks much more relaxed. The team looks loose, free and easy and seems to be enjoying themselves playing baseball. Winning helps.

The Future:

Tony La Russa has earned the respect and admiration of his team.

Public statements by his players have been very positive about their experience with La Russa as their manager.

There hasn’t been any grumbling or public outcry about La Russa from anyone in the White Sox organization.

Criticism of La Russa’s work in the dugout has come from fans and media outside the organization.

It may be possible that La Russa returns to the dugout to manage his team during the torrid pennant race. That is yet to be determined.

If La Russa remains sidelined, Miguel Cairo will lead the charge from the dugout.

After their last off day September 26, the White Sox close out the season with three road games against the Twins, a trip to San Diego to play the Padres for three games, and then a final three games at home against the Twins October 3, 4 and 5.

The final games of the season will be a severe test for a team that was favored to easily win the American League Central Division.

Perhaps Tony La Russa will determine that returning to the dugout next season will be too much stress. Maybe it will be time for him to retire.

He, his doctors and the White Sox front office personnel will likely engage in serious discussions about his health and the wisdom of him continuing to undergo the stress of managing a contending Major League Baseball club.

In the event there is a change made in the dugout, it seems almost certain Miguel Cairo will be named the team’s manager. Of course, it is far too early to speculate on what will happen in the offseason.

For now, there is a pennant to be won by one of three teams in the American League Central. Next year will take care of itself in due time.