After what we’ve seen from Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa over the past few days, he needs to be fired, like today.
Up by 11 runs on Monday, White Sox rookie slugger Yermin Mercedes launched a 47 mph pitch from Minnesota Twins had infielder Willians Astudillo into orbit, giving the White Sox a 16-4 lead.
After the game, La Russa said his player broke an unwritten rule.
"That's just sportsmanship, respect for the game, respect for the opponent," La Russa said Tuesday afternoon. "He made a mistake. There will be a consequence that he has to endure here within our family. The fact that he's a rookie and excited does explain why he's clueless. Now he's got a clue."
La Russa then went on to apologize to the Twins.
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Then on Tuesday, Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey was tossed after throwing at Mercedes in retaliation to his homer the previous night.
After the game La Russa once again abandoned his player saying, "I don't have a problem with how the Twins handled that."
The Fan Morning Show took exception to La Russa’s actions and how his kind of managing is hurting baseball.
“He’s an ancient, lost, out of touch guy, whose team happens to be in first place and he’s gonna screw it all up because he’s a goofball, or acting like one at least,” said Colin Dunlap.
Mercedes is currently hitting .368 with 6 home runs and 25 RBI. He has a bat for a reason, if you don’t want him to be a hitter, tell him to leave his bat in the on-deck circle,” added Dunlap
“Tony La Russa doesn’t like fun,” said Chris Mack.
So with La Russa siding with the opposition twice, what kind of unwritten rule is he breaking when you desert your own players.
La Russa, 76, was hired by the White Sox last October after being retired since 2011. His return to managing was its own controversy, in part because many wondered whether he could connect with the young players in Chicago's clubhouse. The White Sox entered play Wednesdays at 25-16, first in the A.L. Central.
The White Sox continue to win despite La Russa’s tactical errors and now he's seemingly abandoning his own players. How much longer can they keep it up with Tony’s old ways leading the way?
Getting rid of La Russa and fossils like him are what’s best for the future of baseball.