(670 The Score) Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley has a relationship with Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa that dates back decades, as he played under La Russa in Oakland from 1987-'95 and under him in St. Louis from 1996-'97.
So what does Eckersley think of the 76-year-old La Russa drawing consideration from the White Sox for their managerial vacancy? Good question, because Eckersley just talked to La Russa on Thursday morning.
“I just talked to Tony this morning,” Eckersley said on Ordway, Merloni & Fauria on WEEI in Boston. “I wouldn’t tell ya what I talked about, but my gut tells me ‘no.’ That’s the only situation he would go to, though. Because he has such a great relationship with (Jerry) Reinsdorf. But it doesn’t make any sense, does it? It just doesn’t. But if Tony wants to do it, he’s going to do it. And my gut tells me he won’t – or they won’t, one or the other.”
La Russa was the White Sox’s manager from 1979-’86 before going on to lead the Athletics and the Cardinals. He has won three World Series titles as a manager, with Oakland in 1989 and St. Louis in 2006 and 2011. La Russa hasn’t managed since he retired after leading the Cardinals to the championship in 2011.
La Russa didn’t stay out of the game for long. He took a role in the league office, then was the Diamondbacks’ chief baseball officer from 2014 to 2017. In recent years, he has worked for the Red Sox and Angels in an advisory role.
The Angels have granted the White Sox permission to interview La Russa for their managerial vacancy.