Tony La Russa was arrested this morning and charged with drunk driving.
The 62-year-old La Russa gave two breath samples and had a blood alcohol content of 0.093 percent, Jupiter police said in a statement. Florida's legal driving limit is 0.08 percent.Undercover officers saw La Russa's SUV partly in an intersection around midnight and not moving despite two green lights, police said. Officers knocked on the vehicle's window and La Russa did not initially respond.
The SUV was in drive and running, with La Russa's foot on the brake, police said. When he eventually woke up, the officers asked him to get out of the car.
So what do we make of this story? Anyone think it is a big deal? I, for one, would be pissed if it were Willie.
I'd expect such behavior by star athletes, but to see it by such a revered manager is pretty surprising. Then again, I know that some states have lowered the DWI threshold from .10 to .08, and he blew a .093, so it's not like he was completely 'faced.
But to "fall asleep" (read: pass out) at a stoplight with your foot on the brake? That's bad.
Schadenfreude, anyone?
Update: Here is an ESPN story with a little more information.