From La Russa to Matheny, styles change but winning has been Cardinals constant

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St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny takes starting pitcher Lance Lynn out of the game during the sixth inning of Game 4 of baseball's World Series against the Boston Red Sox Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

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St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny argues a call during the fifth inning of Game 4 of baseball's World Series against the Boston Red Sox Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (The Associated Press)

ST. LOUIS – Almost always, Mike Matheny keeps his cool.

That's what you might notice at first about Tony La Russa's successor as St. Louis Cardinals manager, the inner fire without the bombast. It's what you see right now in the glare of October, when the moves pay off big time or fail miserably, and are endlessly dissected either way.

There's a difference in style, but winning is a given.

La Russa, who retired after winning the 2011 World Series, is sure the Cardinals got the right guy.