Cox, La Russa, Torre elected to Hall of Fame
Posted on December 9, 2013
New York Yankees manager Joe Torre is carried off the field after the Yankees defeated the New York Mets in Game 5 of the World Series to win their third title in a row on October 26, 2000 at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)
The baseball winter meetings are happening in Orlando, Florida this week and things got off to a big start this morning when it was announced that managers Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa, and Joe Torre were unanimously elected to Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. This should be no surprise as these three skippers have all had terrific careers.
Manager Tony La Russa of the Oakland Athletics and writer George Will talk in the dugout before a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Arizona in 1991. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
La Russa is the manager I am most familiar with as I photographed him for many years when he piloted the Oakland A’s before he went to St. Louis to run the Cardinals in 1996. During his career La Russa won three World Series (two in St. Louis) and created the modern bullpen when he designated Dennis Eckersley as his 9th inning-only closer in 1988.
Manager Tony La Russa of the Oakland Athletics walks some of his dogs during spring training at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1994. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
La Russa is famous for being a pretty intense dude who managed in such a way that his games seemed to last forever. I will never forget shooting some 7:35pm A’s games for the Associated Press in 1991 that would not end till after 11pm. The multiple pitching changes for righty/lefty match ups slowed many games down to a halt, but he sure knew how to win.
Manager Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals watches batting practice before Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Cox seemed to manage the Atlanta Braves forever, both before and after a short stint skippering the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982-85. With the Braves Cox won 14 straight division crowns and one World Series (1995). That’s is just crazy! The few times I spoke with Cox, towards the end of his run with the Braves, he was always very nice. A true baseball guy to the end, I loved how he always wore spikes in the dugout!
Manager Bobby Cox of the Atlanta Braves gets ready in the dugout before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants on Friday, April 9, 2010, at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants defeated the Braves 5-4. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
After kicking around managing the Mets, Braves, and Cardinals for almost 20 years Torre finally landed in the spot that would qualify him for a trip to Cooperstown. He was hired by the Yankees for the 1996 season and began the most successful run as a manager in the last 50 years. Torre won the World Series his first year and four of his first five seasons. He also led the Yankees to the postseason in all 12 of his seasons in the Bronx. After being run out of town after the 2007 season Torre landed in Los Angeles where he managed the Dodgers for three seasons before hanging it up for good after the 2010 season.
Manager Joe Torre of the Los Angeles Dodgers stands with his team on the field and points to Cardinals manager Tony La Russa before Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on October 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
The induction ceremonies for the three managers will take place Sunday, July 27, 2014 in Cooperstown, N.Y. They will surely be joined by several players on this special day, including the man Cox managed for so many years in Atlanta, starting pitcher Greg Maddux. The results on the BBWAA ballot will be announced in early January.
Congrats to these three very special managers. It was a very historic opportunity having the chance to photograph them so many times over the years as they worked their magic on the field.
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