Throwback: Dusty Baker’s Long-Documented Rivalry With Manager Tony La Russa Was Born Almost 2 Decades Ago in This Ugly On-Field Incident

If the home runs are the highlights of a baseball game, then brawls and arguments are also an important part of the game. Such is the story of the rivalry between Dusty Baker, and Tony La Russa.

Friends turned rivals are present in the Major Leagues from decades ago. Dusty and Tony first met each other in 1971, when they became teammates for a short span of time for the Braves. 

Approximately two decades ago, the two former managers of the Cubs and Cardinals had a shouting match on the field from the dugouts. 

What did Tony La Russa say to Dusty?

The exact words said by the two were not clear, as lip reading isn’t an easy job. However, from their facial expressions, it did look like some curse words were also thrown in their shouting match. 

Their relationship did not start as rivals but as friends when they were teammates for a second. 

The shouting match in 2003 happened when the Cardinals and Cubs were playing against each other for first place in NL Central. In the second inning on September 3rd, Matt Clement of the Cubs hit Cardinals starter, Dan Haren, with a pitch. Haren returned the favor the next time Clement came up.

Then came the fireworks between the two managers from the dugout. And it did looked like that Baker shouted which sounded like “F**k You.” To which, Tony replied in the same vein.

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At the end of the match, Baker stated that this was, “Just the beginning.” And that the Cardinals were overreacting to the Cubs fighting on the field.

When did the rivalry between the two managers start?

It all started in 2002, when Baker’s Giants fought against Russa’s Cardinals. Apparently, when Giants’ Kenny Lofton hit a homer and did not run to the bases fast enough, the Cardinals got frowned. Then, Lofton faced a fastball and did not like it. Then, the benches got cleared by both teams. 

After the shouting match in 2003, then came the 2010 fight in Cincinnati. Baker was the manager of the Reds then, and La Russa was still with the Cardinals.

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Reds baseman used some harsh words about Cardinals, and how he hated them. Which caused the brawl between the two teams, and once again between the two managers.