Angels hire Tony La Russa as a Senior Advisor to Baseball Operations

[failos]

That’s a good move

[T.G.]

New Director of Scouting...

 

Edited November 12, 2019 by True Grich

[failos]

This job should’ve went to Sosh

[UndertheHalo]

I find it difficult to give a shit about this.  

[T.G.]

1 minute ago, UndertheHalo said:

I find it difficult to give a shit about this.  

La Russa is 75 years old. He has a hard time taking one.

[Duren, Duren]

Did he have any important contribution in Boston's championship season? 

I didn't realize he bounced around to so many organizations in the last eight years. It would be nice to know what exactly he did if he had any direct impact moving anything forwards anywhere?

On the surface, a nice PR prestige move. Never hurts to have veteran championship minds in the mix. Not sure how tuned in he is to the Angels, but at least he will be a worthwhile observer and sounding board. 

The ideal parallel would be Scotty Bowman in hockey. He already was an HOF coaching legend with multiple championships who became a senior advisor (in his late sixties or early seventies I believe) in Pittsburgh and then Chicago, and once more part of multiple championships in both places. 

I had a strange encounter with Scotty almost a decade ago. While sitting in a coffee shop in an office building here in Vancouver I overheard three older men talking insider hockey stuff. They referred to the refs and various other personnel by their first names and dropped real confidential scouting stuff. I recognized Scotty Bowman right away, having lived in Montreal  in his run as coach of the greatest dynasty in hockey history. His Blackhawks were playing the local Canucks that night in an early playoff round.

As an avid memorabilia collector I went up and asked for his autograph even though I already had multiple others. He obliged somewhat perturbed, but I have been doing that thing for decades (from Killer Kowaski to Mick Jagger and much more) , so it comes with the territory. 

Anyhow, if LaRussa can bring any positive insights it can't hurt. As long as he doesn't meddle too much. 

[winhalos]

17 minutes ago, True Grich said:

Old Guys Rule.

Hell yeah! is it 8:30 pm yet, I need to go to bed.

[T.G.]

La Russa was big on Harold Baines getting into the HOF.  What could go wrong?

RBI's will be cool again.

[JAHV76]

Nice hire brings a ton of credibility and baseball experience to the Halos.

[Second Base]

TLR is the best!!! Love that guy.

And as far as what an advisor actually does, pretty much everything. A couple years ago Chavez coached the AAA squad the last month of the year. They'll show up at ST, shake hands, watch a few games and pass along tidbits to Eppler like, "I like this kid." Or, "Have him try this..." And they'll work on the back fields with promising young players. They'll speak with coaches about addressing certain issues. They'll accompany scouts on special assignment and if asked, they'll offer their opinion on roster moves. 

[floplag]

22 minutes ago, eaterfan said:

I think LaRussa was the worst GM in my lifetime. And I lived through the Reagins era! If LaRussa is the next GM I think I'm done with baseball for awhile. 

I dont disagree, but I wonder what the point of this hiring was?  it certainly came out of left field. 

[winhalos]

So, how much $$$ do you think it takes to bring LaRussa in? hundred grand? two hundred? more? to be a senior advisor. just curious how much these retreads make on deals like this.

[beatlesrule]

9 minutes ago, winhalos said:

So, how much $$$ do you think it takes to bring LaRussa in? hundred grand? two hundred? more? to be a senior advisor. just curious how much these retreads make on deals like this.

[ukyah]

18 minutes ago, floplag said:

I dont disagree, but I wonder what the point of this hiring was?  it certainly came out of left field. 

since it's larussa, i think it came out of the 8 hole in the lineup.

[Chuck]

23 minutes ago, True Grich said:

La Russa was big on Harold Baines getting into the HOF.  What could go wrong?

RBI's will be cool again.

Good. The Angels could use some runs batted in.

[Dtwncbad]

So when is the Mark McGwire announcement?

[Dtwncbad]

27 minutes ago, True Grich said:

La Russa was big on Harold Baines getting into the HOF.  What could go wrong?

RBI's will be cool again.

In my opinion, Harold Baines would be short of the Hall of Fame even if he played defense everyday well.

But I guess novelty matters.

[Troll Daddy]

[cysomeawfulpitcher]

He’s got the same birthday as me...and Jered Weaver.

[failos]

48 minutes ago, True Grich said:

New Director of Scouting...

 

Albert Pujols??

[ten ocho recon scout]

1 hour ago, Chuckster70 said:

No, Hakeem Olajuwon. 

 

1 hour ago, True Grich said:

Im about to get triggered with some of this nba revisionism. 

[John Taylor]

I'm puzzled at the decision because it came out of left field, but honestly he has a great baseball mind, and I'm fine with having more of those in the organization. 

[Turd Ferguson]

Um, ok?

[Billy_Ball]

6 hours ago, Dtwncbad said:

So when is the Mark McGwire announcement?

[Billy_Ball]