Tony La Russa Quotes

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Tony La Russa

Profession : Coach

Birth : October 4, 1944

Losing sucks. I don't think most people understand how bad it feels.

Tony La Russa

You can't manage by memo. You can't stand up there and just send out edicts. I think you just gotta really personalize your relationships.

Tony La Russa

I think each negotiation should be based on what's the best decision - taking everything into account, not taking one thing into account.

Tony La Russa

When you don't have the deepest pockets, you better have the best scouting and development.

Tony La Russa

Just because you're down to your last strike, you're not out yet. You can always do more. You'll always have more at-bats to take. That's true in baseball, in rescuing animals, and in life, generally.

Tony La Russa

If you try to give them a scheme, most hitters will rebel.

Tony La Russa

I had started law school at Florida State University as a part-timer. I would go two quarters, and they allowed me to drop out to play baseball, and then I'd get readmitted in September. I was convinced I was going to be a lawyer and was using my baseball salary to pay my way through school.

Tony La Russa

I'm not going to manage again. I'm going to work for a team someday. But it won't be managing.

Tony La Russa

I don't miss being in the dugout - I'll make that clear.

Tony La Russa

To me, there is no more conscientious umpire in the Major Leagues than Jim Joyce. He gives you a hellacious effort every time.

Tony La Russa

I've been so fortunate in life to have worked for such great organizations, with great owners and general managers and all the great players, along with the support of my family.

Tony La Russa

If you watch the history of baseball, teams come back, and sometimes they could have come back, but they give in or give up.

Tony La Russa

I think the guys that get to the All-Star Game deserve a lot of credit. They deserve their opportunity to get out there and let the baseball fandom see them.

Tony La Russa

Clubs are taking away the steal of home. Not only are more pitchers throwing out of the stretch position, but more third basemen are playing closer to the bag. But another reason why nobody does it much anymore is that some guys, no matter how fast they are, just aren't comfortable trying to steal home.

Tony La Russa

I think there's a growing number of pitchers who want to have a plan going into a game about how they're going to go after that lineup. I'd say 75 percent want to have an idea, and they plan their attack. I know that 75 percent of hitters do not have that same type of plan against a pitcher.

Tony La Russa

The arc of Ken Griffey Jr.'s swing has gotten bigger than when he hit line drives. Juan Gonzalez is a terrific power hitter, too.

Tony La Russa

It's a sensitive thing, playing major league baseball.

Tony La Russa

You can't put a price on what Mark McGwire brings to the Cardinals organization. The responsibility he accepts is as great as any number of home runs.

Tony La Russa

My mind is just a product of 50 years of being taught. I'm no smarter than anyone else, but I've been taught by some wonderful people.

Tony La Russa

I've said this: If Jim Leyland had been in my place, he'd have the 2,000 wins and I'd have 1,000. Leyland is the greatest.

Tony La Russa