If there was any concern as to how dynamic shortstop Tim Anderson and old-school supervisor Tony La Russa would get alongside, Chicago White Sox followers can breathe a sigh of aid at first of spring coaching.
Anderson, who laughingly stated that he would not “change my model, the best way I play” after the White Sox employed the 76-year-old La Russa in October, stated he arrived at camp early simply to take a seat down and speak along with his new supervisor.
The 27-year-old Anderson, who hit .322 in 2020 after profitable the American League batting title in 2019, stated he has gotten the possibility to get to know La Russa, and he likes what he sees.
“Simply to see what web page he is on is unquestionably superior,” Anderson instructed reporters on Monday in Glendale, Arizona. “Simply have conversations with him, very motivating.
“The drive to wish to win, he has that. I am behind him 110 p.c. That is the last word aim, is to win and to win a World Sequence right here. I am behind him.”
La Russa, in his second stint with the White Sox 34 years after they fired him, is 2,728-2,365 with six pennants over 33 seasons with Chicago, Oakland and St. Louis. Solely Corridor of Famers Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGray (2,762) have extra victories.
However he hasn’t stuffed out a lineup card because the Cardinals beat Texas in Recreation 7 of the 2011 World Sequence, and he is very conscious of that.
“One of many gamers requested me, ‘Hey, you have been nervous [after addressing the team Monday]?'” La Russa stated. “I stated, ‘Yeah.’ … It signifies that you care and also you perceive that the unknown is on the market. The problem of the competitors.”
Mentioned Anderson: “I believe he is fairly stable. To date, all the things has been nice. The issues he has been preaching have been good. I believe we obtained the best man. I hope so.”
La Russa isn’t any stranger to managing large personalities. He had Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco in Oakland. And his nearer there, Dennis Eckersley, was recognized to pump his fist, level at opponents and fireplace imaginary weapons at them after strikeouts.
Anderson stated he is at a degree the place he “can inform him something I wish to” after their one-on-one assembly.
“I ain’t afraid of him,” Anderson joked. “Inform him that.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
