Expert: Steve L - 9/23/2004

Question
Prior to managing the Cardinals, manager Tony LaRussa was manager of the Chicago White Sox and Oakland A's. Did he play infield but quit the game after injuring his arm playing softball?

Answer
LaRussa did play infield; he was an 18-year-old shortstop when he made his major league debut with Kansas City in 1963.

After a few futile years with the A's, Braves and Cubs, and a return to the minors, LaRussa retired in 1977 with a career .199 batting average in only 176 at-bats.

I'm not aware that he hurt his arm playing softball.

It's more likely that he retired as a player because he simply wasn't very good.