Winning N.L. Central Title Earns Cardinals’ La Russa Ap Manager Of The Year Award

Tony La Russa, who brought his intense style to a new league and led the St. Louis Cardinals to the National League Central championship, won the Associated Press manager of the year award Wednesday.

La Russa earned the honor for the third time. He also won in 1983 with the Chicago White Sox and in 1992 with Oakland.

La Russa received 49 votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Bruce Bochy of N.L. West champion San Diego was second with 30 votes and Johnny Oates of A.L. West champion Texas was third with 27.

Joe Torre of the World Series champion New York Yankees was fourth with 19. Voting was completed before the start of the playoffs.

The Baltimore Orioles have not expressed any interest in re-signing free-agent outfielder Bobby Bonilla to a multiyear contract, Bonilla’s representative Dan Horwits said.

The Los Angeles Dodgers exercised the option on pitcher Todd Worrell, who led the team with 44 saves. The Dodgers also signed pitcher Scott Radinsky, second baseman Chip Hale and catcher Tom Prince.