New Chicago White Sox manager Tony LaRussa, one day before he was hired by the team, was charged with driving under the influence in connection with an incident in Arizona in February, per multiple reports. LaRussa reportedly was arrested late at night near the Phoenix airport during spring training after being administered a field sobriety test and refusing to take a breathalyzer.
The 77 year old LaRussa was also arrested for DUI during spring training in Florida in 2007, and ultimately pled guilty to the charge.
LaRussa’s being hired by the ChiSox was already very controversial, due to his not having managed since retiring after the 2011 season, and his being the third oldest manager in MLB history. Given the dramatic advancements made in technology and analytics since then, there are significant questions about his ability to adapt to the modern game — particularly when he is taking over a very young team in Chicago.
The fact that he was charged with a DUI the day before the hiring was announced — something the White Sox say they were aware of beforehand — makes the decision all the more perplexing. Or would, anyway, were White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf not apparently hellbent on bringing LaRussa back, no matter what.