For more than a decade, the St. Louis Cardinals have gone as their manager has gone. Say what you will about Tony LaRussa, but the man can manage a baseball team. He makes the Cardinals better, and the day that he decides to hang them up – or at least to move on from St. Louis – will be a good day for the Chicago Cubs.
Is that day coming soon?
General manager John Mozeliak mingled among players and media, admitting to disappointment over the team’s quick dismissal while holding back any pronouncements about the future pending a Monday meeting with chairman Bill DeWitt Jr., manager Tony La Russa and La Russa’s coaching staff.
La Russa stopped short Saturday of saying his staff would return. Indeed, La Russa, who’s contract expires at month’s end, could not say if he was going to return.
“I’ve never doubted the club’s commitment – ever,” La Russa said early Saturday afternoon. “The question is whether I want to go for a 31st year.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
LaRussa may simply be angling for a raise, but if there’s any chance he might not be back next year, Cubs fans have reason to hope. Which is actually kind of sad. But hey. We’ll take what we can get.