It sounds like White Sox employees might hate the Tony La Russa hire more than fans

The hiring of Tony La Russa hasn’t gone down well in the White Sox organization.

The baseball world collectively shook their heads at the Chicago White Sox this afternoon, as they chose that the best successor to Rick Renteria as manager was Tony La Russa. While he is a Hall of Famer, La Russa retired from his position with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 and hasn’t managed since.

According to Jeff Passan, some within the White Sox’ organization themselves aren’t thrilled with the decision, as they are concerned about his ability to relate to players that will be five-and-a-half decades younger than him. Passan also implied that this decision was made entirely by owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who has admitted that he made a mistake firing La Russa as manager in 1986.

Tony La Russa is a Hall of Famer, but he hasn’t managed in a decade

La Russa has made the World Series six times with the Cardinals and Oakland Athletics, winning it three times. While he is without question a Hall of Fame manager, it’s fair to question if a baseball traditionalist like La Russa can fit into this sabermetric decade of baseball.

Reinsdorf might have had a fondness for La Russa’s managerial skills, but his best days with the White Sox were nearly four decades ago. Banking on elite production simply because of his pedigree seems like a step backwards after the franchise took a big step in the right direction under Renteria.

Reinsdorf had better nail this managerial decision, as bringing in an old-school manager who hasn’t been in a dugout since most of Chicago’s stars were teenagers has the potential to blow up in the White Sox’ faces as they squander a young nucleus.