Tony Larussa Arrested on Drunk Driving Charges
Jack McGoughey
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St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was arrested on drunk driving charges after police found him asleep inside his running sports utility vehicle at a stop light. La Russa was jailed by the Palm Be 
ach County sheriff's department early Thursday morning according to police reports.
La Russa, 62, was booked at 4:07 a.m. after Jupiter, Fla. Police conducted a traffic stop 1 ½ miles from the Cardinals' spring training headquarters and a few blocks from La Russa's rental home.
La Russa arrived at Roger Dean Stadium at about 9 a.m. after posting a $500 bond. He then spoke with club officials but declined to answer questions regarding his arrest.
"If you have baseball questions, I'll talk about that. I don't have anything to say about anything else," La Russa said.
The arrest is believed to be La Russa's first offense.
La Russa was in uniform and attended the team's morning stretch. As he returned to his office he refused to answer any questions.
Cardinals director of media relations Brian Bartow also said that the Cardinals would not address questions regarding the arrest. The Cardinals issued a statement after meeting with La Russa.
"The St. Louis Cardinals and Major League Baseball have been made aware of the announcement made by the Jupiter, Fla., Police Department regarding manager Tony La Russa and we take these matters very seriously.
"The Cardinals organization remains supportive of Tony and we understand that he has enlisted representation to advise him through any pending legal process.
"The Cardinals apologize for any embarrassment and/or distraction this reported occurrence has created towards the team and its loyal fans."
The arrest of La Russa comes only five weeks after he told his team to avoid distractions following the Cardinals first world championship since 1982.
According to Bartow, he learned of the arrest after receiving a 3 a.m. phone call from Rob Rabenacker, director of operations at Roger Dean Stadium. Bartow then notified Cardinals general manager Walk Jocketty.
Tony Larussa Arrested on Drunk Driving Charges
La Russa, 62, was booked at 4:07 a.m. after Jupiter, Fla. Police conducted a traffic stop 1 ½ miles from the Cardinals' spring training headquarters and a few blocks from La Russa's rental home.
La Russa arrived at Roger Dean Stadium at about 9 a.m. after posting a $500 bond. He then spoke with club officials but declined to answer questions regarding his arrest.
"If you have baseball questions, I'll talk about that. I don't have anything to say about anything else," La Russa said.
The arrest is believed to be La Russa's first offense.
La Russa was in uniform and attended the team's morning stretch. As he returned to his office he refused to answer any questions.
Cardinals director of media relations Brian Bartow also said that the Cardinals would not address questions regarding the arrest. The Cardinals issued a statement after meeting with La Russa.
"The St. Louis Cardinals and Major League Baseball have been made aware of the announcement made by the Jupiter, Fla., Police Department regarding manager Tony La Russa and we take these matters very seriously.
"The Cardinals organization remains supportive of Tony and we understand that he has enlisted representation to advise him through any pending legal process.
"The Cardinals apologize for any embarrassment and/or distraction this reported occurrence has created towards the team and its loyal fans."
The arrest of La Russa comes only five weeks after he told his team to avoid distractions following the Cardinals first world championship since 1982.
According to Bartow, he learned of the arrest after receiving a 3 a.m. phone call from Rob Rabenacker, director of operations at Roger Dean Stadium. Bartow then notified Cardinals general manager Walk Jocketty.