Cards Extend La Russa 2 Years
Despite a losing record in his four seasons as St. Louis manager, the Cardinals signed Tony La Russa to a two-year contract extension Friday.
The move, which keeps La Russa in St. Louis through the 2001 season, had been expected since spring training. It was finalized this week.
"I think in his heart and mind he knew that this was the right spot and that he could make a difference," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "But sometimes we all need a pat on the back and push in the right direction."
La Russa won the NL Central title in his first season in St. Louis in 1996, and had the Cardinals within one game of the World Series. But after blowing a 3-1 lead to the Braves in the NL championship series, the Cardinals have not finished higher than third place.
The Cardinals (75-86) finished in fourth place this season, 21 1/2 games behind Houston. They are 319-328 overall under La Russa, who has the backing of star Mark McGwire.
"Believe me, he's the most well-prepared manager in the game," McGwire said the last weekend of the season. "He gets his players to play, and we've had a lot of things happen this year that weren't expected, and this is where we are."
Jocketty agreed that La Russa should not receive the entire blame for the team's recent struggles. Pitching injuries have hampered the team the last two years. This season the Cardinals lost two starters early and then their bullpen, expected to be a strength, collapsed.
"I think the fact that we haven't won lately is always pointed toward the manager," Jocketty said. "I think, again, it boils down to the personnel. If a general doesn't have the right arsenal to go war, he's not going to win the battle."
Jocketty said he intends to try to upgrade the pitching staff for next season. He has already offered pitcher Darren Oliver (9-9) a four-year contract.
"There are a couple of positions we could improve on, but it all boils down to pitching staff," Jocketty said. "If we are able to put the right players in place for Tony, he's the right guy to guide this club into the next century."
The lack of success in St. Louis didn't keep at least three other major league teams from asking the Cardinals about La Russa's availability this week.
"I think that's another strong indication into how people feel about this guy and his ability to manage, and to manage a winning club," Jocketty said.
La Russa is the 11th winningest manager in history and lead all active managers with 1,639 wins. He won a division title with the Chicago White Sox in 1983 and four division championships with Oakland.
He led the Athletics to th World Series from 1988-90, winning it all in 1989.
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