Tony La Russa Pleads Guilty To Lesser Charge To End DUI Case

CHICAGO — White Sox Manager Tony La Russa's legal troubles stemming from a drunken driving traffic stop in Arizona ended Monday with a guilty plea to a misdemeanor reckless driving charge.

La Russa, a Major League Baseball Hall of Fame manager and three-time World Series champ, was sentenced to one day of home confinement, a nearly $1,400 fine and 20 days of community service, according to published reports.

La Russa's arrest stems from a February traffic stop in Arizona after the manager's car hit a curb and became disabled. Sobriety tests taken that night showed blood alcohol concentration was .095 — above the legal limit of .08, according to reports

During the traffic stop, La Russa reportedly argued with a police officer, showing off his championship ring and accused the cop of trying to embarrass him.

"I'm a hall of famer baseball person ... I'm legit, I'm a hall of famer, brother," La Russa said, according to police reports. "Your (sic) trying to embarrass me."

Formal charges were fired against La Russa a day before he was introduced as the White Sox new manager in late October.

On Monday, White Sox officials said in a statement they're standing behind La Russa because of his "proud and productive history with the White Sox and Major League Baseball."

"With today's announcement, Tony La Russa accepted responsibility and has been held legally accountable for his poor behavior and the questionable choices he made last February," team officials said in a statement.

"The White Sox understand the anger and concern expressed by some about hiring Tony under these circumstances. Tony has expressed to us his remorse, and he understands he brought this on himself. We understand that people make mistakes and exercise poor judgment in life. In this case, Tony is fortunate his decisions that night did not injure himself or anyone else. We also believe people deserve the opportunity, at all points in their lives, to improve. Tony knows there is no safety net below him. There cannot be a third strike."