Tony La Russa will become only the second retired manager to lead an All-Star team next summer, joining Hall of Famer John McGraw.
He concluded a 16-season run in St. Louis with the team’s second World Series title in five years last October, stepping down after 33 seasons overall. Commissioner Bud Selig announced Tuesday that the 67-year-old La Russa will manage the National League in this year’s game July 10 in Kansas City.
“Tony earned this opportunity with the remarkable run the Cardinals completed last October, and I am delighted that he shared my enthusiasm about staying in this role,” Selig said in a statement. “The All-Star Game celebrates all the best of our game, and it is very appropriate that we will have the chance to celebrate one of the greatest managerial careers of all time as a part of our festivities.”
McGraw retired after the 1932 season and managed the National League in the first All-Star game the following year.
This will be La Russa’s sixth time managing an All-Star team, three in each league.
La Russa and Joe Torre are tied for fourth with six All-Star managing appearances, trailing Casey Stengel (10), Walter Alston (9) and Joe McCarthy (7).
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.