Cardinals manager Tony La Russa addressed the possibility of working again for White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, whether he ever would consider managing the Cubs and the likelihood of Mark McGwire playing again in an interview Thursday for "Chicago Tribune Live" on Comcast SportsNet.On working for Jerry Reinsdorf:
"I don't ever think that is going to be an issue, because I think he's got his (management) team. If I ever left the field and went upstairs, which I hope to do some time maybe soon, I'd like to work for an owner that I like and that I respect as much as I do Jerry, because I want to be motivated to make him happy."
Photo: Cardinals manager Tony La Russa says he would enjoy working again with Jerry Reinsdorf. (Michael Conroy/AP)
On whether he ever would manage the Cubs:
"You've got a double-headed whammy there. I have a lot of friends and fans that I'm close to with the White Sox. And you know White Sox and Cubs, they don't mix. I've got friends and fans that I'm close to in St. Louis, and the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cubs don't mix. So I think if there is one place that I don't fit, just because of my past, it would be the Chicago Cubs."
On Mark McGwire's steroid admission and return to the Cardinals:
"I think he has the qualities of a great hitting coach, and that's why he was hired. And you knew at some point, No. 1, he couldn't just take the job and not be forthcoming about 'I did do something or I didn't do something.' And I think when he came out, we were really encouraged that he pulled out all the stops and admitted more than anybody yet that he made mistakes. He apologized sincerely. So I don't think there's a whole lot left that he hasn't talked about, that he needs to talk about."
On McGwire possibly being put on the Cardinals' active roster:
"I was watching him swing in the cage and he's whistling it. I said, 'You could still swing!' He said, 'Why don't we talk about you activating me?' We were just messing around and our tongues were so much in our cheeks that it's hard for anybody to understand what we were saying. He's not going to play, he's going to coach. Hopefully, we have a postseason, but he won't be a part of it."
"You've got a double-headed whammy there. I have a lot of friends and fans that I'm close to with the White Sox. And you know White Sox and Cubs, they don't mix. I've got friends and fans that I'm close to in St. Louis, and the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cubs don't mix. So I think if there is one place that I don't fit, just because of my past, it would be the Chicago Cubs."
On Mark McGwire's steroid admission and return to the Cardinals:
"I think he has the qualities of a great hitting coach, and that's why he was hired. And you knew at some point, No. 1, he couldn't just take the job and not be forthcoming about 'I did do something or I didn't do something.' And I think when he came out, we were really encouraged that he pulled out all the stops and admitted more than anybody yet that he made mistakes. He apologized sincerely. So I don't think there's a whole lot left that he hasn't talked about, that he needs to talk about."
On McGwire possibly being put on the Cardinals' active roster:
"I was watching him swing in the cage and he's whistling it. I said, 'You could still swing!' He said, 'Why don't we talk about you activating me?' We were just messing around and our tongues were so much in our cheeks that it's hard for anybody to understand what we were saying. He's not going to play, he's going to coach. Hopefully, we have a postseason, but he won't be a part of it."
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I too agree with MartyKS. Let Pete Rose back in, forgive Shoeless Joe Jackson, the Black Sox, etc. Rose's offense was nothing compared to what these dufuses did. Let's be honest...Hank Aaron still holds the record for Home Runs in a lifetime. Roger Maris still holds the single season record for HR. If they want their records in the books, have the Cheaters Hall of Shame...and then, you can include Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriquez, Andy Petite, Jose Canseco, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire, etc. All their records can be seen there..in their own little world.
But, let Pete...Charlie Hustle...back in if you condone what all these goofballs have done.
Well said Marty. Couldn't agree with you more.
Hearty = Ignorant bafoon.
The truth is out. McGwire proved again he was more of a man than most. It's a dead issue and it's time to move on.
La Russa- one of the smartest managers in baseball history, in my opinion- undoubtedly knew something was going on, that Big Mac was juicing. But let's take into account the effects on everyone else. Great ball players took PEDs to be Hall of Famers. Average ball players took them to be great. Marginal ball players took them because the choice was making $20K in the minors or $1M in the majors. Fergie Jenkins asks for an apology to the pitchers who careers were affected. La Russa knew, but what is he going to say? "Knock it off. That way, the other teams full of juicers will win and I'll be out of a job." Managers got performance, so they looked the other way, too. It was just a sad era in baseball.
I guess old Tony forgot who gave him his opportunity to play baseball even if he wasn't good enough to make the big leagues.
I sure wouldn't believe a word that LaRussa says about McGwires steroid use. He saw him everyday for the time he said he used the roids. He couldn't tell something was going on, come on if you believe that then I have some land to sell you. As long as he hit home runs for the Cardinals, hell, Larussa wouldn't say a thing. Larussa reminds me the 3 monkeys, who doesn't see, hear or speak no evil.He knows he can deny any knowledge and be safe, which is exactly what he has done.
Sorry. I have no positive feelings left for Mark McCheater. I remember admiring Pete Rose's attitude when I was a teenager. So, he does something that is so horrible that he gets banned for life, but these jokers only have to come out and shed a tear, yet deny that they enhanced their abilities and it's "Come on back, big guy... you know we love you." I hate it. They nearly ruined baseball. They crapped all over the records and yet, there they are, joking around the batting cage and having a great old time. Total crap. Welcome Rose back into the fold and I'll think about it. But Rose never hurt the game like these bozos did. McQuire is a travesty to baseball.