Tony La Russa Elected to Hall Of Fame

In 1978 Tony La Russa began his managerial career with the Knox Sox, who would later become the Knoxville Smokies. During his tenure with the Knox Sox, which consisted of 78 games, he recorded 53 wins with only 25 losses. At the halfway point of the 1978 season, La Russa was promoted to the White Sox coaching staff, and would later take over the reigns in 1979.

La Russa went on to manage the White Sox through 1986, then on to the Oakland Athletics (1985-1995), and finally the St. Louis Cardinals (1996-2011) where he finished his career. Over his 33-year career, which consisted of 5,097 games he had a 2,729 -2,365 record, and won three World Series titles. The first came with the Athletics in 1989, followed by two with the Cardinals in 2006 and 2011. He was named the American League Manager of the Year in 1983, 1988, and 1992. He was also named the National League Manager of the Year in 2002.

La Russa retired from baseball following his 2011 World Series victory with the Cardinals and became eligible for the MLB Hall of Fame just shortly after. He alongside managers Bobby Cox and Joe Torre were elected into the HOF on their first ballot yesterday and will be inducted in 2014.