Tony La Russa will return to the St. Louis Cardinals for a 16th season, the team said yesterday (Mon., Oct. 18).
Financial numbers have not been disclosed, but the contract is good for one year, with a mutual option for the 2012 season.
La Russa, 66, is the winningest manager in St. Louis Cardinals history. He ranks third all-time managerial wins list with 2,638 wins, trailing Connie Mack and John McGraw.
During Tony La Russa’s tenure, the Cardinals have won 1,318 games, captured eight division titles (1996, 2000-2002, 2004-2006, and 2009), two National League pennants (2004 and 2006) and the franchise’s tenth World Series Championship (2006).
The Cardinals have finished above .500 in 12 of La Russa’s previous 15 seasons as team manager and posted a National League best 913 wins during the decade of the 2000s.
Tony La Russa and Hall of Famer Sparky Anderson are the only managers in Major League Baseball history to guide separate National League and American League teams to World Series titles.
Prior to his stint with the St. Louis Cardinals, La Russa managed the Chicago White Sox (1979-1986) and the Oakland Athletics (1986-1995). The A’s won a World Series under La Russa’s watch.
Information from The Associated Press and KSDK.com contributed to this report.