In a somewhat surprising announcement, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa announced Monday that he would retire after a 33 year managerial career, including 16 with the Cardinals.

The announcement comes three days after the St. Louis Cardinals’ remarkable run to a World Series title, the second under La Russa’s reign (the last one coming in 2006 against the Tigers).

La Russa reportedly informed Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr during the regular season that this season would be his last. La Russa’s feelings didn’t change towards the end of the season when it looked as though the Cards wouldn’t make the playoffs.

The legendary manager announced his decision to his players during a dinner Sunday night.

“It’s just time to do something else, and I knew it,” La Russa said at the news conference. “It just feels like his time. If we won, if we lost, it wasn’t going to change.”

La Russa, 67, informed his players at a dinner Sunday night during which they were celebrating their World Series. “Some grown men cried,” La Russa said of the reaction. “I kind of liked that. They made me cry quite a few times.”

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak has already indicated that a search is now underway to find La Russa’s replacement but wouldn’t say who the Cards could bring in.
Early speculation suggest that the Cardinals could turn to former Red Sox manager Terry Francona or New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine.
This is all comes as the Cardinals enter the offseason with questions as to whether or not the team will be able to re-sign star first baseman Albert Pujols who will be a free agent.
La Russa compiled a 2,591-1,408 (.544) record, and won three NL pennants and two World Series titles. He has a 33-year record of 5,097-2,728 (.536).
La Russa also indicated that he would like to remain in baseball but not as a general manager.
Ref: Sporing News, ESPN,

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