Cardinals’ La Russa, Braves’ Cox end rivalry
ATLANTA – Tony La Russa is leaving Atlanta with some souvenirs from his final regular-season matchup with Braves manager Bobby Cox.
La Russa, manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, is third in career regular-season wins. Cox ranks fourth.
Cox is retiring after the season. Barring a playoff matchup, Sunday’s game was the last time La Russa will manage against Cox.
La Russa said Sunday he asked Cox to sign a lineup card and a baseball. “It’s special,” La Russa said.
Cox is 94-67 in regular-season games against La Russa.
The managers split two playoff series. The Braves beat La Russa’s Cardinals in the 1996 N.L. championship series. St. Louis swept three division series games against Atlanta in 2000.
The rivalry began in Chicago on May 4, 1982, when Cox’s Blue Jays lost to La Russa’s White Sox, 4-3.
“I feel like I’ve known Tony my whole life,” Cox said.