31 | October | 2011 | "You Jivin' Me, Turkey?"

(Pieces Of The Article) By Joey Nowak / MLB.com—

Tony La Russa, the third-winningest manager in Major League history and most assuredly a future Hall of Famer, announced his retirement as a manager on Monday, fewer than three days after winning a World Series for the third time in his 33-year career, the past 16 of them with the Cardinals.

The surprising announcement was made during a Monday morning news conference at Busch Stadium.

“There isn’t one [factor] that dominates [my decision],” La Russa said. “They all just come together telling you your time is over.

“We went through the season and I felt that this just feels like it’s time to end it and I think it’s going to be great for the Cardinals to refresh what’s going on here.”

He said that he’d made his decision to retire in August, informing general manager John Mozeliak at that time. He said he told his coaching staff of his decision on Sunday.

“I’m looking forward to what’s ahead,” La Russa said. “I’m ready to do something different.”

La Russa, 67, steps down with 2,728 managerial victories, ranking behind only Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGraw (2,763). Only Mack has managed in more ballgames. The Cardinals skipper is also the only manager in Major League Baseball history to win multiple pennants in both leagues and the second to win a World Series title in each, as well.

La Russa’s Oakland A’s won the World Series in 1989. Hall of Famer Sparky Anderson won World Series titles with Cincinnati and Detroit. The Cardinals’ championship was their second in the past six seasons.

La Russa said that he did not consider continuing in order to get the 36 wins he would have needed and pass McGraw on the all-time list.

“I’m aware of the history of the game,” he said. “But I would not be happy with myself if the reason I came back was to move up one spot. That’s not why you manage … it’s not something that motivates me. Wherever you finish, you finish.”

More than half of his victories — 1,408 — have come in a St. Louis uniform, making him the franchise’s winningest manager, after having led the Cardinals to a surprising World Series title this season.—

CAREER MANAGERIAL WINS

Rank	Manager	Years	Wins
1.	Connie Mack*	53	3,731
2.	John McGraw*	33	2,763
3.	Tony La Russa	33	2,728
4.	Bobby Cox	29	2,504
5.	Joe Torre	29	2,326
6.	Sparky Anderson*	26	2,194
7.	Bucky Harris*	29	2,158
8.	Joe McCarthy*	24	2,125
9.	Walter Alston*	23	2,040
10.	Leo Durocher*	24	2,008