The Chicago White Sox recently hired 76-year-old Tony La Russa to be manager in a move that has been heavily questioned, and will be questioned much more after news that emerged on Monday night.
Jeff Passan and Paula Lavigne of ESPN report that La Russa was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in February, and was charged with DUI on Oct. 28, the day before the White Sox hired him as manager (you can read more about about the details of the DUI in the ESPN article).
Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in February and charged with DUI a day before the team hired him, according to court records obtained by ESPN.
News with @pinepaula and @MoynihanCharles: https://t.co/C1lHlik4Zl
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 10, 2020
What makes it worse- Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that the White Sox knew about the arrest prior to naming La Russa manager.
White Sox spokesman Scott Reifert says the team was aware of La Russa’s arrest before naming him manager. https://t.co/fXQYSccDSw
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 10, 2020
Yikes.
ESPN reports that they contacted La Russa by phone on Monday, and he said, “I have nothing to say” before hanging up.
When reached by ESPN on Monday night, La Russa said, “I have nothing to say,” and hung up the phone.
A White Sox spokesman said the organization was aware of the incident.
“Because this is an active case,” he said, “we cannot comment further at this time.”
This isn’t the first DUI for La Russa either; he was arrested for DUI while manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007 when he fell asleep at a traffic light .
So, this hire is an absolutely terrible look for owner Jerry Reinsdorf and the White Sox organization, and it will be interesting to see if La Russa still ends up managing the team.
Update: ESPN obtained the arrest report, and it includes La Russa telling police, “Do you see my ring? I’m a Hall of Famer baseball person. I’m legit. I’m a Hall of Famer, brother.”
ESPN obtained the full arrest report for Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa's DUI charge.
"Do you see my ring?" La Russa said to the arresting officer. "I'm a Hall of Famer baseball person. I'm legit. I'm a Hall of Famer, brother."
News at ESPN: https://t.co/C1lHlik4Zl pic.twitter.com/GnqS5k7V9e
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 10, 2020
