ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Tony La Russa: Adjusting to journey ‘upstairs’ isn’t without challenges

Feb 15, 2015, 8:17 PM | Updated: 11:33 pm

Follow @AZSports...

LISTEN: Tony La Russa, D-backs Chief Baseball Officer

Arizona Diamondbacks Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa has taken almost 50 years to walk up a couple flights of stairs.

He’ll be in the front office of a ball club for the first time when the D-backs begin their 2015 campaign, after 16 years as a player and 33 as a Hall of Fame-caliber manager.

It’s a big difference from where he’s been.

“The one thing I’m trying to learn is you’re a very lengthy step removed from the action,” La Russa told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM‘s Doug and Wolf during February’s Newsmakers Week.

La Russa, was everything but “hands-off” during his career. Highly competitive even outside the diamond, he once considered a career off the field as a courtroom lawyer.

“The one part of going to law school I was sure about, because of the competitive side, I probably would’ve been a courtroom type,” he said.

Between school and baseball, the latter always won the call, though. He said he would go to school for a couple years (at Florida State) with the knowledge that he ultimately had to get a degree and support his family, but then he’d drop out and head back to the field.

“When I was in law school I was still playing,” he said. “I would attend Florida State for two years, drop out, and I was still getting paid to play. For five years I did that.”

Arizona Diamondbacks

Zac Gallen...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks agree to TV, cable and satellite channel contracts

The Arizona Diamondbacks will air on linear TV channels as well as streams under an MLB-produced broadcast partnership in 2024.

3 hours ago

Jordan Lawlar, D-backs...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar to have thumb surgery

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar will have surgery on his right thumb after tearing a ligament, GM Mike Hazen said on Wednesday.

18 hours ago

General shot of Chase Field...

Bailey Leasure

What’s new at Chase Field for the 2024 D-backs season?

The Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 season will see the team debut new food items, enhancements to the ballpark and giveaways.

24 hours ago

Bryce Jarvis #40 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws a pitch during the second inning in the game ag...

Vincent DeAngelis

Bryce Jarvis starting season in long reliever role for Diamondbacks

Twenty-six-year-old Bryce Jarvis will start the 2024 season in a long relief role for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

1 day ago

Jordan Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

Reports: Diamondbacks, LHP Jordan Montgomery agree to terms on contract

The Diamondbacks and big-ticket free agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery agreed to terms on a contract, according to multiple reports on Tuesday. 

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Zac Gallen says Diamondbacks are ready for opponents’ best daily

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the excitement surrounding his second straight Opening Day start for the Snakes, and the overall excitement the team has for the coming season.

2 days ago

Tony La Russa: Adjusting to journey ‘upstairs’ isn’t without challenges