In Defense Of Tony La Russa

Why all the haters?

Aside from caring about the mid levels of the atmosphere, I love sports. In fact, most people who really know me, wonder why I didn't get in to sports broadcasting. A bit of background...

I've played sports all my life. In high school, I started for two years in football, basketball, and baseball. I was offered both football and basketball scholarships for college. (I really couldn't field in baseball! lol)

So, sports has been, and is, a big part of my life. I mention all of this because of the terrible haters concerning St Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa. This isn't a sports column so I'll dispense with the stats. Suffice it to say, La  Russa may not be in a class by himself, but it doesn't take long to call role!

I met La Russa while I was working in the San Franciso Bay Area. Of course, I'm sure he doesn't remember me. We met when I was asked to portray a tin soldier in the Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker. Every year, some folks were asked to help The Nutcracker by taking this small, fun role. Tony La Russa was behind this benefit because one of his daughters was in the Ballet. So every year, La Russa would use his cache to grab a few players and people to raise money for the cause. This wasn't the only charity he backed.

You may have heard, Tony La Russa loves animals. Check that...He's an activist for animal rights. His ARF benefits were lavish affairs raising big dollars for the cause. He also made many other appearances to a number of benefits. After all, he was a World Series winning manager even then with the Oakland A's! All in all, everyone had a very favorable opinion of this good guy baseball manager.

Perhaps I'm jaded by these years...I'll give you that. I realize the division rivalry may have a lot to do with his negative vibe too. In addition, by most accounts, he doesn't suffer fools lightly. Plus, he does takes baseball very seriously. Yet, I'm OK with those concepts. Here's what I find strange; the people who haven't had any interaction with him and judge him as a bad guy!

For a baseball manager who is revered and derided as "the genius", I guess, this perspective should come as no shock . It's one thing to express a sports opinion. Let's face it...arguing over who's a better hitter, pitcher, manager is just natural when it comes to sports.

Unfortunately though, it seems to me there's a growing number of people who simply can't enjoy someone else's success. Jealousy is in! An ever increasing number of sports fans seem to quickly jibe first instead of just accept, or at least, not care about it. Why does this seem to happen so often? Are the lives of these individuals that shallow...perhaps so.

You often see this same thinking in sports columns. Some sports writers believe that sports figures "owe them" something. When an intense manager or player doesn't hop to their beat---zing! The poison PC flashes a column! Just because, you couldn't play the sport doesn't mean you get to be a jerk. The ever popular phrase, "C'mon MAN!" seems appropriate here.

Following this blog, some will see me as a "Jock Sniffer". It couldn't be farther from the truth. In earnest, my interactions with athletes have found them mostly pampered, spoiled, and overpaid children. I just dislike people with a pre-disposed attitude in general. What gives you the right?

So to me, Tony La Russa retiring at 67 is a well earned, well deserved, well being act of a good man, who deserves better than some of the columns out today.