Winning in Oakland in '89 was distinguished because that was truly a great team on a mission to prove that '88 was not what we represented. I look at that team in awe. It was a push-button team. Tony La Russa More Quotes by Tony La Russa More Quotes From Tony La Russa I'm a great believer in the character of the club. To me, character has a lot to do with how you compete. That creates urgency and toughness. That elevates the talent that you have. Tony La Russa baseball sports character Even when you have three strikes, you're still not out. There is always something else you can do. Tony La Russa strikes three stills Pressure comes when someone calls on you to perform a task for which you are unprepared. Tony La Russa unprepared tasks pressure Play the game right. If you play the game intelligently and execute the fundamentals, you can win. Tony La Russa games winning play It's like most anything. If you want to be a loser, there's always a way to dwell on the negative. If you want to win, there's always a way to think positively. Tony La Russa winning negative thinking Being involved in competition is a privilege and an opportunity. Seek to make the most of that opportunity by pushing yourself to the limit of your abilities. When it is over, you will have earned the respect of your opponents, your coaches, and yourself. Tony La Russa over-you basketball opportunity We never quit trying. I know that's kind of corny, but the fact is we never quit trying. The dugout was alive even when we were behind. And sometimes it works. Tony La Russa alive trying facts Just because you're down to your last strike, you're not out yet. You can always do more. You'll always have more at-bats to take. That's true in baseball, in rescuing animals, and in life generally. Tony La Russa bats baseball animal Toughest thing for me as a young manager is that a lot of my players saw me play. They know how bad I was. Tony La Russa saws player young There are always distractions, if you allow them. Tony La Russa distraction ifs Anything that disturbs your comfort factor is good for you. Tony La Russa factors comfort You can be stupid once, but idiotic to do it again. I'll settle for being stupid. Tony La Russa idiotic settling stupid It's a really neat and special coincidence, but it's nothing but a coincidence. This wasn't set up to give Matt that honor. It's just the way it worked out. It's a neat extra. Tony La Russa honor special giving The thing I learned when I was playing was that your best way of winning was to make it difficult for the other team to score in the last three innings. Tony La Russa success motivational sports The game has never seen a better catcher than YADIER MOLINA. Tony La Russa catchers games The best way to win is to play well early or late in the game. The middle part tends to take care of itself. Tony La Russa games winning play In the end, as a manager or coach, you have to keep your heart pure and do your best as a manager or a coach. Tony La Russa coaches ends heart I'm careful not to give into theatrics when times are tough, I don't like it when somebody gives into outside pressure and puts on a show for others. Tony La Russa tough pressure giving To me, there is no more conscientious umpire in the Major Leagues than Jim Joyce. He gives you a hellacious effort every time. Tony La Russa umpires league giving I'm very distressed that the report was leaked early so that the initial headline said 'dismissed, fired.' That's 180 degrees from the arrangement we have potentially. Tony La Russa degrees baseball said
