Weiss lauds new Hall of Famers La Russa, Cox

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Rockies manager Walt Weiss said he felt fortunate to have played for Tony La Russa and Bobby Cox -- two of the three former managers announced Monday as new members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Weiss broke into the Majors as a shortstop under La Russa with the Athletics in 1988 and played for La Russa through 1992. Weiss also spent his final three seasons playing with the Braves for Cox from 1998-2000. La Russa and Cox were joined by longtime former manager Joe Torre on the list of new Hall of Famers.

"Both guys, I try to take what I learned from them when I manage the game -- Tony a lot more strategically and how you try to run a game, and Bobby more on the side of how he dealt with his players and how he created loyalty," Weiss said. "They're two of the best that have ever done it. I'm fortunate."

Weiss has become close with La Russa over the years and said he sent a text after hearing the news.

"I was looking at the ticker, watching TV earlier, and I guess I just didn't really think of it in these terms, but it said La Russa managed for 33 [consecutive] years," Weiss said. "I guess I can relate more, because I have one.

"Thirty-three years, that's incredible."