White Sox manager Tony La Russa pled guilty Monday to a charge of reckless driving stemming from his February arrest for driving under the influence in Arizona.
La Russa was arrested and charged with driving under the influence during spring training, while a member of the Los Angeles Angels front office. He was hired as the White Sox new manager at the end of October, the charges filed a day prior to his hiring becoming official, the delay due to the charges initially being filed under the wrong jurisdiction. As part of a plea agreement, the charge was changed to reckless driving.
La Russa was sentenced to one day in jail, which will be served via home detention, as well as a fine of $1,383 and 20 hours of community service.
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"Mr. La Russa knows he made a mistake last February and deeply regrets it," La Russa's attorney, Lawrence Kazan, said in a statement released following Monday's hearing. "He is embarrassed and concerned. He knows what he did was wrong.
"The charge was reduced because Mr. La Russa was found to be over the legal threshold by a small amount. Nevertheless, Mr. La Russa understands that any amount over the limit is too much."
The White Sox said they knew about the arrest when they brought La Russa back for a second stint as the South Side skipper, refraining from commenting further until after the matter was settled.