Tony La Russa Announces Retirement

By - Kris Fletcher

Three days after winning his third World Series championship, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is retiring.

Photo by: Getty Images

"There isn't one factor that dominates my decision," La Russa said. "They all just come together telling you your time is over. We went through the season and I felt that this just feels like it's time to end it and I think it's going to be great for the Cardinals to refresh what's going on here. I'm looking forward to what's ahead. I'm ready to do something different."

La Russa managed thirty-three seasons with the Cardinals, Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox. He won six pennants, three each with the Cardinals and Athletics. His teams made fourteen playoff appearances, and his 2,728 victories rank third all-time behind Hall of Famers Connie Mack and John McGraw.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, La Russa is the only individual in the history of Major League Baseball to win a World Series in his final season as a manager.

"Tony leaves behind a legacy of success that will always be remembered as one of the most successful eras in Cardinals history," team chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said. "I knew this day would come, I just hoped that it wouldn't."

When asked if he'll ever manage again, La Russa replied with, "No." He also said he has no plans to be a GM, but he may look into some sort of baseball job in the future.