Monday, October 31, 2011

Tony LaRussa goes out on top

Shortly after the World Champion Cardinals enjoyed their parade to celebrate the title, LaRussa called a press conference to announce his retirement. And why not?

He's been in major league baseball for 33 years and after his Cardinals pulled off an improbable, almost magical, comeback in Game 6 of the WS this year, then went on to claim the title at home in Game 7, what else is there really left for him to do?

LaRussa's certainly financially set for life and a plaque in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown awaits him as soon as he's eligible. Besides, he's not the first to do this.

Al MacGuire led Marquette to the NCAA hoops title in 1977, ultimately defeating mighty North Carolina in the finals. Still at a relatively young age, MacGuire called it quits -- at least as a coach.

John  Elway hung up his cleats after winning his second straight Super Bowl.

Bill Russell of Boston  fame called it a career after yet another Celtics' title in 1969.

Jerome Bettis of the Pittsburgh Steelers stepped down after winning a Super Bowl in his hometown of Detroit. If that's not a perfect ending -- it's pretty close.

Opinions may vary, but LaRussa will likely be considered as among the Top 5 baseball managers of all time. Only the legendary Connie Mack and John MacGraw had more career victories. (At that, LaRussa was only about 30 Ws behind MacGraw for second place and would have easily overtaken him had he hung around another year.)  This is some very impressive company.

What better way to "go out" than with a championship?

Like him or not, hats off to Tony LaRussa for a long and distinguished career. Bravo.

Bill Parcells, of football fame, chimed in about LaRussa's retirement. He said, "I'm not a baseball guy, but there comes a time when we all have to get off the train".

No doubt about it.

Even a Tuna knows that.

Wish somebody would tell certain politicians, judges, and doctors, though.

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