Reinsdorf's statement on La Russa's retirement

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf released the following statement Monday regarding the retirement of St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa:

“Tony La Russa certainly left his mark on the game of baseball. His brilliance is his legacy. One of two managers to win a World Series in each league, six pennants, it says a lot about the man that he wasn't just going to stick around to break records.

“Some managers are great at running a game. Some are great from the ninth inning until the first inning. Tony was rare. He truly was great at both. I don't think anyone has won more often with teams expected to do far less.

“Tony is one of the few people I know who would do something for a friend even if it was bad for him personally. It's a measure of the man that we fired him and remained friends.

“I knew Friday night was his last game, and I wanted to be there for it. Like a father who gets more enjoyment out of seeing his children succeed, I was as happy for him Friday night as I was when we won in 2005.”