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La Russa decides to walk away: 'No manager could go out on a higher note'

31.12.69

At one point, La Russa, 67, had to stop and collect his thoughts before speaking of his wife, Elaine, who attended the press conference. The couple have two grown daughters, Bianca Tai and Devon Kai, who did not attend.

"She's over there, she's one-third of the family that's allowed me to do this job," La Russa said. "She raised those two children (by herself). We've never had, in the three places, close family anywhere around."

He said he was lucky to work for the Cardinals, Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox in a managing career dating back to 1979.

"I have never spent a day as a major-league manager not in an ideal situation," La Russa said. "That is good fortune."

He said he would not likely be around the Cardinals in the near future.

"I really think, this is a fresh start," La Russa said. "Me, personally, it's better to step away for a long while."

La Russa also said he would not manage again, saying he hoped to open a business or perhaps own and operate a minor-league team. He said he hoped to have a role somewhere in baseball, but said being a "general manager is the toughest job."

Source: Belleville News Democrat