If there were any concerns about how dynamic interbase Tim Anderson and old school manager Tony La Russa would perform, Chicago White Sox fans can breathe easy at the start of spring training.
Anderson, who laughed said he would not “change my style, the way I play” after the White Sox hired 76-year-old La Russa in October, said he arrived at the camp early just to sit and talk to his new manager.
Anderson, 27, who reached 0.322 in 2020 after winning the American League batting title in 2019, said he had a chance to meet him and that he likes what he sees.
“Just to see what page he is on is definitely amazing,” Anderson told reporters on Monday in Glendale, Arizona. “Just having conversations with him is very motivating.
“He wants to win. I have 110 percent of his support. That is the ultimate goal, it is to win and win a World Series here. I am after him.”
La Russa, in his second stint at the White Sox 34 years after being fired, has 2,728-2,365 with six streamers in 33 seasons with Chicago, Oakland and St. Louis. Only the Hall of Fame Connie Mack (3,731) and John McGray (2,762) have more wins.
But he hasn’t filled out a line-up card since the Cardinals defeated Texas in Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, and he is well aware of that.
“One of the players asked me, ‘Hey, were you nervous [after addressing the team Monday]? ‘”La Russa said.” I said, ‘Yes.’ … It means that you care and understand that the unknown is out there. The challenge of competition. “
Anderson said, “I think he’s quite solid. So far, everything has been great. The things he’s been preaching have been good. I think we’ve found the right man. I hope so.”
La Russa knows the management of great personalities well. He had Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco in Oakland. And his closest one, Dennis Eckersley, was known for punching, aiming at opponents and firing imaginary weapons at them after eliminations.
Anderson said he is at a point where “I can tell him anything I want” after the individual meeting.
“I’m not afraid of him,” joked Anderson. “Tell him that.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.