Daily Madden: La Russa's Longevity
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Tony La Russa will be managing his 5,000th major league game when his Cardinals take the field against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday night.
Only one other American professional manager/coach, Connie Mack, has managed more games.
"The thing that always amazed me about Tony is having the same passion for it," John Madden told the KCBS morning crew. "He's a baseball guy through and through. His passion and his interest have never diminished. That to me is what's amazing."
Also in baseball, Bob Geren was fired as manager of the Oakland A's Thursday following the A's ninth loss in a row.
It reminded Madden of the first bit of advice he got when he became the head coach of the Oakland Raiders. The coach said Red Hickey told him to "do it your way, because if you win no one can hurt you, and if you lose no one can help you."
John noted that A's general manager Billy Beane is a good friend of Geren's, but "even a good friend when you lose can't help you." (8:40)
