Reporter helps Tony La Russa understand basic rules of baseball after extra-inning disaster
White Sox manager Tony La Russa didn’t know a basic element of the extra-innings rule. A reporter had to explain it to him after Chicago lost to the Reds.
White Sox manager Tony La Russa has come under fire for his decision-making this season. Wednesday’s mismanagement in extra-innings against the Reds was just the latest example.
Chicago lost 1-0 in the 10th inning despite being in position to take the lead. That’s because of a series of mistakes by La Russa, who started it all off by making a double switch which put reliever Liam Hendricks on second to start the extra frame. He didn’t realize he could swap out the pitcher for Jose Abreu.
Tony La Russa did not know that he could have used Jose Abreu at second base as the free runner instead of closer Liam Hendriks. Was informed of an amendment to rule by @JRFegan. "I'm guessing you know the rules better. Now I know," he said.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) May 5, 2021
This is what’s on https://t.co/YLJsKuHKXZ’s site about the extra-runner rule. La Russa said they weren’t aware and thought it had to be the previous batter no matter what. Said they wanted García to steal second, rather than it being his own call pic.twitter.com/B2U9qXZkjq
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) May 5, 2021
Sure, rules can be tough to follow sometimes, especially obscure ones. But this was a new rule instituted. It should be fresh in the minds of MLB managers and their staff. If La Russa didn’t know it, someone near him should have. Needing a reporter to explain it is just embarrassing.
It’s especially cringe when the manager on the other side throws shade about it.
“The league made it really clear that it was going to be a new rule in spring training,” David Bell said after the game, per The Athletic.
Tony La Russa’s decisions may have cost the White Sox the game
If that had been the only mistake of the outing, it might have been easier to swallow. But the blunders continued.
La Russa tried to have Leury Garcia steal second when they had runners on first and third and just one out. When Garcia got caught, the game ended up on Billy Hamilton’s shoulders. Hamilton is batting .167 this season. He’s not the guy anyone wanted responsible for getting a hit.
Instead of pinch-hitting someone for Hamilton, La Russa left him in. Predictably, he struck out swinging, stranding the runner at third.
The Reds went win the game when Jesse Winker singled to send Tucker Barnhart home.
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