Retired manager La Russa to manage NL All-Stars

[January 25, 2012]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Tony La Russa will become the second retired manager to lead an All-Star team next summer, joining Hall of Famer John McGraw.

La Russa concluded a 16-season run in St. Louis with the team's second World Series title in five years last October, stepping down after 33 seasons overall. Commissioner Bud Selig announced Tuesday that the 67-year-old La Russa will manage the National League in this year's game July 10 in Kansas City.

"Tony earned this opportunity with the remarkable run the Cardinals completed last October, and I am delighted that he shared my enthusiasm about staying in this role," Selig said in a statement. "The All-Star Game celebrates all the best of our game, and it is very appropriate that we will have the chance to celebrate one of the greatest managerial careers of all-time as a part of our festivities."

McGraw retired after the 1932 season and managed the National League in the first All-Star game the following year.

Danny Murtaugh managed the NL All-Star team in 1972 after stepping down following Pittsburgh's 1971 World Series title, but Major League Baseball doesn't consider him retired for that appearance because he returned to manage the Pirates from 1973-76.

This will be La Russa's sixth time managing an All-Star team, three in each league.

Two managers led All-Star teams after moving to new teams, Dick Williams in 1974 after switching from the Athletics to the Angels and Dusty Baker in 2003 after switching from the Giants to the Cubs.

La Russa and Joe Torre are tied for fourth with six All-Star managing appearances, trailing Casey Stengel (10), Walter Alston (9) and Joe McCarthy (7).

[Associated Press]

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