White Sox manager Tony La Russa returning for 2022 season

Some in the MLB community immediately linked Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa with a potential return to the St. Louis Cardinals after the Cardinals parted ways with manager Mike Shildt earlier on Thursday. 

No such homecoming is happening. 

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that La Russa is returning to the White Sox as manager for the 2022 MLB season, and ESPN has since claimed the same. 

La Russa, who turned 77 years old earlier this month, initially retired after he guided the Cardinals to the World Series title in 2011 and hadn't since managed in the big leagues until Chicago hired him somewhat out of nowhere last fall. A "number" of White Sox employees, not to mention outsiders, were reportedly concerned the veteran wouldn't connect with the team's younger players, and all he did in response was lead Chicago to the American League Central crown in runaway fashion. 

Per ESPN/The Associated Press, All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson and 2020 AL Most Valuable Player Jose Abreu were among noteworthy Chicago players who went to bat for La Russa after the White Sox were eliminated from the playoffs by the Houston Astros earlier this week. 

"I want him to be back," Anderson commented. "At the end of the day, my decision doesn't really matter. I guess it all depends on what the front office thinks. ... I definitely want him in. I think he did a great job with the way he managed and just being open."