Daily Madden: La Russa Honors His Players In Hall Of Fame Speech
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Former A's and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa singled out his former players in the audience as he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame Sunday.
"You reflect on the people that helped get you there, and as a coach or a manager, you really realize that it's about the players," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew. "If it weren't for them, you wouldn't be there. You kind of know that all the time and you think that all the time. But when you have a moment like being inducted into the Hall of Fame, I think you really reflect on that."
La Russa never excelled as a player, demonstrating again that average players often do well as managers.
"There's probably something to that," Madden said. "The players that kind of had to work the hardest become the best coaches and managers. I always felt the same about teachers. You know the teachers that had to work the hardest to get grades and stuff were the best teachers.... (La Russa) belongs there. He deserved it because he earned it. And that's why he's there." (7:05)
(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)