Cardinals' La Russa picked up for drunk driving

By John McMullen
The Phanatic Magazine

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was arrested for drunk driving early Thursday morning.

At approximately 12:00 a.m. (et), undercover officers saw La Russa's dark blue Ford SUV stopped at an intersection. The vehicle sat through two cycles of green lights and an unidentified driver behind La Russa's car was forced to drive around the vehicle.

At that point, officers approached the vehicle and found La Russa slumped over in the driver's seat with the engine running. After not responding to repeated knocking on the windows, a patrol officer was summoned and La Russa finally responded.

The officer noted the odor of alcohol on La Russa's breath and the Cardinals manager was asked to step from the vehicle for standard sobriety tests.

At that point, it was determined that there was probable cause to arrest La Russa for driving under the influence of alcohol, a misdemeanor. He was arrested and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

Breath samples provided by La Russa showed his blood alcohol content at .093.

"The St. Louis Cardinals and Major League Baseball have been made aware of the announcement made by the Jupiter, Florida Police Department regarding manager Tony La Russa and we take these matters very seriously," the organization said in a statement.

"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."