Amid Reports White Sox Manager Tony La Russa Is Retiring, Here Are Nine Candidates To Replace Him

USA Today and MLB.com have reported that Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa, who is turning 78 on October 4, will announce his retirement.

Last August 31, the White Sox advised that La Russa would be away from his team to deal with medical issues. He flew to Tucson, Arizona to be checked by doctors for heart related issues.

In October 2020, La Russa signed what is believed to be a three-year contract to return to manage the White Sox. He was dismissed from that same role by White Sox Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Ken Harrelson on June 21, 1986.

With three home games remaining October 3, 4 and 5 against division rival Minnesota Twins, Miguel Cairo will continue in his role as Interim Manager. The Twins and White Sox are battling for second place, behind the division champion Cleveland Guardians.

La Russa’s brief tenure after returning to manage the White Sox for a second time has been well chronicled. He managed the club to a division title last season, and even more was expected this year.

La Russa recently traveled to Oakland to be with his friend Dave Stewart, when the Athletics retired Stewart’s number. But La Russa did not return to the White Sox dugout.

La Russa had to deal with a number of serious player injuries that depleted his club throughout the season. But the team’s sloppy play and lack of execution on the fundamentals of the game proved costly in the win-loss column. La Russa took his share of criticism from fans and the media for his game management and overall demeanor. His team voiced their support for him throughout the past two seasons.

La Russa had a great Hall of Fame career, but if La Russa retires, baseball planning must continue for the White Sox.

Potential Replacements For La Russa

To this writer, several seasoned, experienced managerial candidates should receive consideration to replace La Russa from White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and his front office. They include:

Bruce Bochy, Age 67

Bruce Bochy won a National League West Pennant with the San Diego Padres in 1998. He won World Series Championships with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, 2012, and 2014.

Bochy was the National League Manager of the Year in 1996.

To this old scout, Bochy’s greatest strength is the manner in which he handles his pitching staff. A former catcher himself for nine big league seasons, Bochy has a knack for knowing when a pitcher is spent. He knows his pitching staffs well enough to discern when to let a pitcher remain in a game and get himself out of trouble. He is masterful at exuding confidence in his pitchers.

Bochy will be highly sought after to right the ship of many MLB teams seeking to change their fortunes with a new voice in the dugout. He seems like an ideal fit for a White Sox team that has a good roster and is poised to potentially return to contention.

Joe Maddon, Age 68

Joe Maddon has managed for parts of 19 big league seasons. Most recently, he spent two full seasons in the dugout of the Los Angeles Angels, but he was dismissed this year in early June after compiling a record of 27-29. He won an American League pennant with the Rays in 2008.

Maddon is best known for spending nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and helping shape them into a consistent contending club. He earned a reputation for keeping his clubs loose with creative clubhouse antics and concepts.

Chicago baseball fans know Maddon as the manager that brought the Chicago Cubs a World Series Championship in 2016.

Maddon won three Manager of the Year titles, winning two in the American League and one when he was with the Cubs in the National League.

Having Maddon in the dugout on the south side of Chicago might be a very good move.

Mike Scioscia, Age 63

Mike Scioscia was a very successful manager for parts of 19 big league campaigns.

He spent all of his time in the dugout of the Los Angeles Angels, with 2018 his last year.

A former big league catcher, Scioscia won a World Series Championship in 2002 with the Angels. He was the American League Manager of the year twice.

Scioscia is seen as a good handler of both pitchers and catchers, and he gets high marks for game management from most that have evaluated his work.

Scioscia can be a bit fiery-which may be good for the White Sox chemistry.

A no-nonsense manager, Scioscia would likely earn the respect of his players and be able to get the most out of his roster.

Don Mattingly, Age 61

Don Mattingly will not be returning to the Miami Marlins, where he was the team’s manager for the past seven years. He had previously managed the Los Angeles Dodgers for five seasons.

Mattingly’s outstanding career as an impactful hitter for 14 years with the New York Yankees brings instant credibility to the dugout. He finished with a career batting average of .307 in 7,722 plate appearances.

Mattingly has a steady hand and has been very patient with a young and inexperienced Marlins club. To this scout, he did an outstanding job helping get the most out of a roster that wasn’t always as talented or deep as his National League rivals.

Mattingly played in the New York Yankees organization and managed for the Dodgers, two franchises that didn’t have the same financial constraints as the Marlins. That makes a huge difference.

If he wins the White Sox job, he will have more plentiful resources than he had in Miami, and he will inherit a team with core players that will benefit from his stellar playing and managing career.

Mattingly was the National League Manager of the Year in 2020.

Candidates With Less Experience

Willie Harris, Age 44

Willie Harris is currently the third base coach of the White Sox cross-town rival Chicago Cubs.

According to trendwiresports, Harris’ manager, David Ross, who didn’t have big league managing experience when he was hired by the Cubs, has praised Harris. Ross said, “The players respect him. The players love him. He has a lot of experience. He has been on the world championship team in this city. He has a great baseball mind and has a lot of experience to pull from.”

Harris was a minor league manager in the White Sox system, and was a member of their 2005 World Series Championship team.

In 2020, Harris interviewed with the White Sox to manage the club, so he would likely be prepared for an interview if one came his way.

Miguel Cairo, Age 48

Miguel Cairo assumed the role of Acting Manager when Tony La Russa left the club due to medical reasons.

After his blazing 13-6 record to begin his current role, Cairo, La Russa’s bench coach, saw his team enter a huge tailspin. They were swept by the Cleveland Guardians in a crucial “make or break” three game series. They then lost three to the Detroit Tigers and two to the Minnesota Twins before breaking that eight-game losing streak with a September 29 victory over the Twins.

Cairo began his Interim role with a motivational speech to the team. It worked for a while, but he couldn’t sustain the early momentum.

Cairo may be on the short list for the White Sox, but they may seek a manager with more experience. Still, he could be considered for one of many big league managerial roles that may come available as soon as next week.

Other Names To Consider

Brad Ausmus, Age 53

Ausmus has four years of experience managing the Detroit Tigers and one year with the Los Angeles Angels.

Joe Girardi, Age 57

Girardi has managed the Marlins for one year, the Yankees for 10 years and the Phillies for three years. He won a World Series Championship with the New York Yankees in 2009.

Doug Glanville, Age 52

To this scout, Glanville would be a wonderful manager. He has great communication skills and would relate to every player on his club as well as the media.

Glanville has expressed concern about the lack of Black managers in MLB. He has lobbied to call attention to the lack of opportunities for Black managers. However, he has indicated that his first role is as a father. He must be a great, great dad.

With his commitment to being home for his family, it is unlikely any club would be able to hire Doug Glanville at this point in time. But maybe…someday.

Conclusions

After a Hall of Fame career as a big league manger, health concerns have dictated that Tony La Russa will likely retire as the manager of the Chicago White Sox.

There are a number of wonderful candidates available to step in and perhaps lead a talented, but underachieving Chicago White Sox team to a new level.

To this writer, an experienced manager with success in his rear view mirror should be at the top of the list of potential replacements for Mr. La Russa.

Update: Tony La Russa has confirmed in a press release that he will not be returning to manage the White Sox.