Tony La Russa explains why he's stepping down as White Sox manager

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Tony La Russa took his doctor’s orders a step further on Monday as he stepped down as the Chicago White Sox manager.

La Russa issued a statement on Monday explaining his decision to step down, that it is health related.

This news comes a week after La Russa wasn’t returning to coach the White Sox for the remainder of the season under doctor’s orders. He was expected to be out "indefinitely" to see heart specialists earlier this month, and he said in his statement that he had a pacemaker installed in February before spring training that needed to be updated. He wasn’t allowed to manage again unless he was cleared.

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Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa, left, takes starting pitcher Dylan Cease out of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 4, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

But a "second health issue" was discovered during an exam prior to the pacemaker being put in, and La Russa told the White Sox today that "a corrective plan" to help alleviate the issue has begun.

"It has become obvious that the length of the treatment and recovery process for this second health issue makes it impossible for me to be the White Sox manager in 2023," he said. "The timing of this announcement now enables the front office to include filling the manager position with their other off-season priorities."

WHITE SOX MANAGER TONY LA RUSSA OUT INDEFINITELY WHILE UNDERGOING TESTS ON HIS HEART

The 77-year-old made sure to say that "at no time this season did either issue negatively affect my responsibilities as White Sox manager." But La Russa also recognizes that his squad