Reinsdorf and Einhorn asked La Russa to rate his coaching staff on a scale from 1 to 10. Until all of the coaches received a 10 rating, they would set out to make changes. “In the end, it’s the players who win games, but our coaches make a big enough difference in enough games to justify their expense,” La Russa said. “Actually, all they have to do is make a difference in a few games, and that can help you distance yourself from the rest of the league.” La Russa also realized the value of specialization. Teams had always had a pitching coach and a hitting coach, but he wanted his other coaches to also work with players on specific areas of the game—base running, infield defense, outfield defense, and so on. Specialization was a lesson he had learned in the minor leagues as well as when he was in a college classroom.From Tony La Russa: Man On A Mission
By Rob Rains
By Rob Rains
