La Russa and Baker were also teammates during La Russa’s brief stint with the Braves as a player in 1971. But perhaps people forget that Baker’s last games as an active player were with the Athletics in 1986, season in the one that La Russa debuted as manager with Oakland.
“They were doing badly being in the West. [El coach de pitcheo] Dave Duncan and I knew they were better, but they were in a rut, ”La Russa said of his then-new club in Oakland. “The team was righted in large part by the leadership of Dusty, Carney Lansford and Dave Kingman, and they really put up a good fight.
“I like to talk about Dusty, because according to the old saying, those who become good managers were terrible as players and they put me as an example. Sparky instructed me [Anderson] and those people. You just have to be someone who is passionate about the game and wants to learn. Dusty, Don Baylor, Joe Torre, Mike Scioscia, they were very good players who became good managers. “
Baker celebrated her 72nd birthday on Tuesday, while La Russa will turn 77 in October. Thursday was the first time that two managers over 70 years of age met since August 2, 2006, when Felipe Alou of San Francisco (71) met Frank Robinson of Washington (70), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
La Russa and Baker rank first and second in victories among active drivers. La Russa has the second most wins in history with 2,7771, while Baker has 1,931. Between the two, they have led 196 postseason games. In those engagements, La Russa is 70-58 and Baker is 31-37.
“Dusty and I have a long relationship,” La Russa said. “The only time there was friction was when we were in the same division, when he was with Cincinnati and Chicago (and La Russa with St. Louis in the NL Central). I was glad he’s in the West Division.
“He is like any other person you respect. You are happy when the series ends ”.
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