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Tony La Russa announces retirement

St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa pumps up the crowd in St. Louis during a ceremony honoring his 2011 World Series championship team Oct. 30, 2011. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
1 of 4 | St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa pumps up the crowd in St. Louis during a ceremony honoring his 2011 World Series championship team Oct. 30, 2011. UPI/Bill Greenblatt | License Photo

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Manager Tony La Russa of the world champion St. Louis Cardinals announced his retirement Monday, ending a 33-year career as a big-league skipper.

"We went through the season and I felt that this just feels like it's time to end it and I think it's going to be great for the Cardinals to refresh what's going on here," La Russa said.

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La Russa, 67, was with the Cardinals for 16 seasons.

St. Louis defeated the Texas Rangers in the just-concluded seven-game World Series.

"Tony leaves behind a legacy of success that will always be remembered as one of the most successful eras in Cardinals history, team chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said.

"I knew this day would come. I just hoped that it wouldn't."

La Russa, a four-time Manager of the Year, also managed the

Chicago White Sox (1979-86) and Oakland Athletics (1986-1995).

La Russa had two world titles with the Cardinals and one with Oakland.

St. Louis made a stunning run to this year's championship.

The Cardinals,10 1/2 games out of a playoff berth late in August, got in with a 23-8 run to end the regular season.They then beat Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Texas en route to the title.

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"I'm looking forward to what's ahead," La Russa said. "I'm ready to do something different."

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