Friday BP: Tony La Russa?

Hello and happy Friday.

This isn’t San Francisco Giants news per se, but we still need to talk about it. On Thursday, the Chicago White Sox made Tony La Russa their new manager.

Yes, Tony La Russa.

Yes, that Tony La Russa.

La Russa is 76, which might make him fit to run for president but is a little bit odd for running a baseball team.

He’s also an accomplished big league manager, with 35 years of experience and three World Series titles.

He’s also old school, in an era where baseball is rapidly modernizing, as the recent World Series just proved. The Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers are widely recognized as two of, if not the most modern organizations in baseball. It’s not a coincidence that they were the last teams standing.

But, more importantly, La Russa is taking over a White Sox team with some of the most exciting players in baseball. Players who smile, and flip their bats, and play the game with joy and emotion. Players who stand up for what they believe in, and aren’t afraid to kneel for the national anthem to protest systemic racism.

And La Russa is a guy who a few years ago said this:

I would tell [a player protesting the anthem to] sit inside the clubhouse ... You’re not going to be out there representing our team and our organization by disrespecting the flag. No, sir, I would not allow it. … If you want to make your statement you make it in the clubhouse, but not out there, you’re not going to show it that way publicly and disrespectfully.

And La Russa is a guy who was openly vocal this season when Fernando Tatis Jr. had the gall to ... /checks notes ... hit a home run while winning. Respect the game and all.

Yeesh.

Old, random MCC article for you to read

Giants issue statement following majority owner’s link to racist super PAC radio ad (Oct. 19, 2018 — Bryan Murphy)

Giants links

• Melissa Lockard on how pitching prospect Seth Corry furthered his development despite the lack of Minor Leagues (The Athletic, subscription required)
• Alex Pavlovic on why the bullpen was better than you thought (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Andrew Baggarly on how Brian Wilson’s famous beard was an accident (The Athletic, subscription required)
• Jessica Kleinschmidt on how a young Giants fan was gifted 25,000 baseball cards after losing hers in a fire (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Jake Montero on Mike Krukow’s criticism of Kevin Cash (KNBR)

How many days until Opening Day?

There are 153 days until Opening Day.

I hope you have a fabulous Friday.