Tony La Russa was booking it to angrily meet Roberto Perez behind the plate last night.
If you ever wanted to see a 76-year-old man book it, just watch this amazing highlight of Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa running out onto the field to confront Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez after his star first baseman Jose Abreu got hit by a pitch.
La Russa may have been out of the game for 10 years, but he has the foot speed of a man 10 years his age. He might be a hall-of-fame manager with three different clubs, but the world really missed out on the power walking champion that is La Russa in the 2020 Tokyo Games. Don’t lie to yourself. You know you would have watched the White Sox skipper bring back gold to the States.
Here is how Twitter reacted to La Russa’s need for speed, and sweet vengeance, on Friday night.
White Sox manager Tony La Russa confronts Roberto Pérez on the field after James Karinchak accidentally hits José Abreu on the helmet with a pitch.
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) July 31, 2021
In the aftermath, Abreu embraces Karinchak on his way to first base. pic.twitter.com/287unE8YoP
Tony La Russa confronting Roberto Perez behind the plate was hilarious
Perez is one of the most likable players in baseball, so this forced confrontation by the White Sox manager made it even funnier and all the more uncomfortable.
Tony La Russa has WHEELS @barstoolchicago pic.twitter.com/IQmpXFfsQw
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 31, 2021
Tony La Russa lookin like Usain Bolt after Abreu gets hit https://t.co/VwLKL9dUEM
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) July 31, 2021
Tony La Russa in full stride at age 76. Never underestimate fight or flight… https://t.co/1n8gYnkhlR
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) July 31, 2021
Lance Lynn wearing a #FREEBRITNEY shirt, praised Tony La Russa for running out there for José Abreu
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) July 31, 2021
“He was high-kneeing his ass off" pic.twitter.com/KZEACXrxav
While everybody had fun sharing the video with their own one-liners on Twitter, the champion of the world last night was White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn. Decked out in a #FreeBritney shirt, he said his manager was “knee-highing his ass off”. What a time to be alive!
Tony La Russa wants all the smoke pic.twitter.com/VMDtxzkH0L
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) July 31, 2021
I think I’m a HUGE Tony La Russa guy now. The White Sox beat the Guardians and now have a 9.0 game lead in the AL Central https://t.co/dxDUDqG6ne
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) July 31, 2021
Tony La Russa explaining why he was mad (obvious) and what was said pic.twitter.com/OhLEQuTw2Q
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) July 31, 2021
Tony La Russa getting ready for tonight's game pic.twitter.com/ENrUwJjGtM
— Guardians of The Land (@OurCLEGuardians) July 31, 2021
Not only does replay never, ever get it right, but it has sadly deprived the general public from skippers getting tossed on the regular in baseball. Long gone are the days of Bobby Cox, Lou Piniella and Earl Weave getting a little too fired up at your boy blue for another botch-job of a call.
Tony La Russa got an early start on his 100m heat. https://t.co/aUcO2KkneX
— The Big Lead (@TheBigLead) July 31, 2021
I love Tony La Russa. I want to see him get fired up like that all the time! 🔥🔥🔥 @SouthBurbHitmen
— Joe Mandel (@JoeMandel) July 31, 2021
Speed walking gold medalist, Tony La Russa 🥇
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) July 31, 2021
(via @BallySportsCLE)pic.twitter.com/cKsKDdsbKV
Chicago not only won the game 6-4 at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday night, the White Sox took a nine-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central race. The White Sox successfully traded for All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel from their crosstown rival and their biggest threat in the division had its own fire sale yesterday. If the White Sox fail to reach the ALCS, we will be so very disappointed.
Here is to Lynn wearing a La Russa “knee-highing his ass off” t-shirt at his next press conference.