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Current Video:La Russa's life after managing|
Does Tony La Russa miss managing in the bigs? The former Cardinal joins Ken Rosenthal.
Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)
We -- here with former Major League manager Tony La Russa he has the new book out and Tony going back to the regular season a lot of people. Maybe don't remember this now what you had shingles. And there are times I know you quite uncomfortable. And I'm just wondering the physical challenges doing your job last year how difficult was that. Well is difficult enough to where it went off for a month you know I had this this problem. And I took the medicine. For the for the virus but I didn't take the pain stuff because it would make you -- you know I have enough trouble making decisions so it. So for a whole month. When they -- stories you -- mean I was you know like one guy you know is most it was sore and I was looking into games like this and finally the guys could turn out -- was our question I'm not really -- on to stupid. So knew it was a month drove especially in big games -- bright lights. You know -- would really. But he you know he -- temperature had done you look for good choose you get through the game. I think our club phils are four because it played better we want some never get back in the race a little bit. When it. In a long. Long long season was so much that happened. You know and later I completely forgot about the singles and had to be reminded the only that was something the first step just like the injuries to our players. September 1 you guys still seem to have no chance and yet you came -- ultimately you got and I'm wondering at the start of where were you mentally really thinking or what we thinking about where the team stood what we're trying to accomplish. You know sort of the story that sounds made up except it really happened and the book is. As -- group compelling stuff but we we get swept by the Dodgers. On a Wednesday and that night we had a nice of the college are here we had to attend. And we -- ten and a half back. When that. At that time I know more I spoke with say you'll hang in there and when you're actually spoke to a certain say we we can play we can be Milwaukee. That that winter and we had 32 -- -- -- we're -- rotation at the -- piece of paper wrote. Plus 500. Not relinquish second place that was immediate. Goals. And we had Pittsburgh and then what happened was two series whether we want through it before we swept Milwaukee. And we changed but the players had a meeting by the way. And carpet CO players only meeting -- what's your message should just -- give back to that urgency were. That we had Kerry Wood this -- all the injuries to get through this thing and it's it's it's set formula that I was -- many years ago. You are sure to see players like it's a last give your life for the seventh game of the World Series we did that. We started get hot and the guys have to put him on the pedal. Did the same time you know the -- -- -- anyone is this is going on when did you start to think it was possible just getting into the playoffs as the wild card. Well the. It took three series into the come back we had Atlanta at home. And they came in they were seven had never -- an episode and half. And the very first game were down three to one that they this thing goes. We're down 321. Kimbrel outstanding. Head and walked a -- since June or something I hadn't blown save. We're losing 31 in the bottom of the ninth inning there's two outs and he walks for cal and Terry. Albert -- basis to right field double and we tie it. That may is six and a half makes you want another really close game and then I got hit a double against Hudson and we swept them. When -- when that series is over we knew we had a shot. He'd be really interesting part for me to ask you -- in game six win some ninth inning tenth inning. I just feel our club had already had that feeling hey this thing it could be over. Like that we just refused to give us this is corny and wanna -- the club has so much character if you backed. To that series. Another time against the Mets the Cubs. Into the Philly series in game two game for game five the one nothing game. Our club many many times had a back against the wall and just showed up and refused to quit so but town get a game six. It was a confidence that -- this is always going to be we're we're gonna find a way now of course it turns out -- -- last season. When you start thinking about that. Decision to retire. Well I knew he Alaska clears it it it -- start a pile -- in an -- and closer. New. But familiar -- enough. I told my wife and mid August and told -- and bill end of August. And as we got into it I mean I think that they're. Especially on my -- if I would change my mind. I know wasn't going to be innate thing what you get so wrapped up in the come back. That my personal situation was something that rarely. Was it entered my mind and even the days -- we -- almost a -- if we lost. We still had this wonderful motivation this pull this come back off and I just didn't think about. Now you're not exactly retired you're the book you working for the commissioner's office yet you were on the field for fifty years. And I wonder what is it you miss the most not being involved right now. Well I'm very fortunate. Appreciate them -- especially commissioner Selig forgive me a chance to go to games every day with some meaning -- some responsibility. But for fifteen years once spring training games start to the end of Tyrell on the seasons can you wake up and you know as the game. And there's a score. And if you win. If you lose a boo boo -- I really miss the competition. I don't miss the dugout I'm not once -- -- quote said. -- can go back out on the scenario but I miss. The competition. I think is very important and -- does. Look as at this point I haven't gotten that. Win lose out of my system and. Now as you know as -- every season they're going to be jobs open in your retirement people are gonna write your name and say hey what about Tony La Russa. Is there any chance that you will come back not even necessarily this season or next season but in the years after that. Like comebacks in my office -- -- I'm coming in and -- Okay very good well good luck with the book Tony thank you sort of read it -- thanks a lot.