I know I know.
We hate this guy, right?
We've always hated this guy.
That's the point.
I would say Tony LaRussa reached legendary heights of dislike among Cub Fans, and that's saying something.
Name another character from any team that you've loved to hate more than Tony.
Dusty Baker is merely amusing.
Ryan Braun is rising, but nowhere near LaRussa's orbit.
Ozzie Guillen?
Maybe, but his White Sox were just two quick blips during the season.
Go way back and you run into Steve Garvey, for sure.
I can switch sports and say the Pistons' Bill Laimbeer was definitely hated.
The Packers' Forrest Gregg comes to mind but that was different because, well, if he was hanging off the side of a building you might not mind stepping on his fingers.
And of course I have a well documented hatred of the Astros...
But Tony LaRussa has been our own personal Darth Vader - the head Hatfield to the Cubs' McCoys.
We hate the Cardinals more than any other team because...why?
Because they always win.
And LaRussa's been the guy collecting all those Ws.
I'm sure most of you will be saying good riddance, but I think deep down we'll all miss that guy and what he has meant to The Rivalry.
And more than anything, I was hoping to see one Cub season where it was LaRussa's Cards left in the gutter while the Cubs went on to a World Championship.
Never happened.
Here are some LaRussa illustrations from over the years...
Lou Piniella vs Tony LaRussa: fabulous entertainment.
One of Mike Quade's not so many victories.
Remember when Derrek Lee fell off that chair in the clubhouse?
Of course this is made up, but it's a testament to my own love to hate LaRussa that I'd use his character this way.
These last three are from when the Cubs took 4 of 5 from the Cards in 2003 - perhaps the sweetest Cub Victories I've ever seen.
Anyway, see ya LaRussa, and one last time from me: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
