By ,
Published December 10, 2016
Tony La Russa is calling it quits, putting a cap on a glorious career – and throwing Albert Pujols' already tense free agency into further uncertainty.
The St. Louis Cardinals manager, who just won his third World Series, is retiring from the game he's been associated with for 33 years. He is expected to announce it at a press conference Monday at Busch Stadium.
La Russa, 67, just guided the St. Louis Cardinals to a thrilling win over the Texas Rangers. The team, which was 10 1/2-games behind the Atlanta Braves before snatching the National League Wild Card, was down to its last strike on two occasions in a classic Game 6. It stunned the Rangers by coming back twice in that game and eventually winning the World Series, four games to three.
La Russa retires third on the all-time wins list, just 35 behind John McGraw. In addition to this season, he won championships in Oakland in 1989 and St. Louis in 2006.
The retirement comes as St. Louis tries to keep another pillar of its championship squad. Pujols, a three-time NL most valuable player and one of baseball's players, is a free agent for the first time in his 11-year career.
Before the season, he had contentious negotiations with the team before talks came to an abrupt end. He is reporting seeking A-Rod money – that is, close to the 10-year, $275 million deal the New York Yankees gave their star third baseman.
Pujols has been coy about staying, only saying that he'd considering continuing his career with the only team he's ever played for.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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