If there was any concern about how the dynamic step Tim Anderson and old school manager Tony La Russa would be briefly understood, Chicago White Sox fans can breathe a sigh of relief at the start of spring training.
Anderson, who laughed that he would not “change my style, the way I play,” after the White Sox hired 76-year-old La Russa in October, said he arrived at the camp early only to sit down and talk to the new manager.
Anderson, 27, who hit .322 in 2020 after winning the American League title in 2019, said he had a chance to get to know him and likes what he sees.
“Just seeing what page it’s on is definitely great,” Anderson told reporters Monday in Glendale, Arizona. “She simply has conversations with him, very motivating.
“The drive to want to win, he has that. I’m behind 110 percent. That’s the ultimate goal, it’s to win and win a World Series here. I’m behind him.”
La Russa, in the second leg with the White Sox, 34 years after he was fired, is 2,728-2,365 with six pennants in 33 seasons with Chicago, Oakland and St. Louis. Louis. Only Hall of Famers Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGray (2,762) have more victories.
But he has not completed any team cards since the Cardinals defeated Texas in Game 7 of the 2011 World Series and is well aware of that.
“One of the players asked me, ‘Hey, you were nervous [after addressing the team Monday]? ‘”La Russa said.” I said yes ‘. … It means you care and you understand that the stranger is there. The challenge of competition. “
Anderson said: “I think he’s pretty solid. So far, everything has been wonderful. The things he’s preached have been good. I think I’ve found the right man. I hope so.”
La Russa is no stranger to managing great personalities. He had Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco in Oakland. And his close friend, Dennis Eckersley, was known for pumping his fist, pointing at opponents, and firing imaginary shots after blows.
Anderson said he was at a time when “he can tell her anything I want” after their individual meeting.
“I’m not afraid of him,” Anderson joked. “Tell him that.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.