Tony La Russa Hired As Red Sox Special Assistant

Less than one month after losing to the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros in four games in the American League Division Series, the Boston Red Sox have begun their rebuilding process.

Tony La Russa Red Sox hiring news

The team announced on Thursday the hiring of Tony La Russa as vice president and special assistant to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. 

Dombrowski and La Russa have known each other for nearly 40 years, since they were co-workers with the Chicago White Sox.

The Red Sox’ move follows the hiring of manager Alex Cora, a former infielder for the team.

La Russa was the chief baseball analyst for the Arizona Diamondbacks for the past four seasons: he served as advisor for the team’s baseball operations department.

The 73-year-old also ranks third on baseball’s all-time managerial list, compiling a 2,728-2,365 record in 33 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Oakland and St. Louis.

“Having a young manager like Alex — who I am really impressed with — we don’t have anybody in our front office that’s managed at the major league level that Alex could come to and say, ‘What do you think about this move? What do you think about that move?'” Dombrowski said. “Tony has that knowledge that we don’t, and Alex is a sponge. He wants as much information as he possibly can.”

A four-time Manager of the Year, La Russa led both the Cardinals and A’s to World Series titles, and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014..

“Everything you do professionally, if somehow there’s a personal connection, I think it adds something to the opportunity,” La Russa said Thursday.

This week, the Red Sox also picked up the 2018 options on ace lefty Chris Sale ($12.5 million) and closer Craig Kimbrel ($13 million).

In other news, Boston infielder Josh Rutledge and lefty reliever Robbie Ross Jr. opted for free agency after being out-righted off the 40-player roster.

COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 27: Inductee Tony La Russa gives his speech at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 27, 2014 in Cooperstown, New York. La Russa managed for 33 seasons with 2,728 victories and led his teams to six pennants and three Worls Series titles. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)