Writers from the Tribune Co. discuss who would be the most effective successor to former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who retired three days after the team won the World Series championship:

The Cardinals need to have someone with a lot more than just people and managerial skills. They also need somebody with the gravitas to take over a team that just won the World Series.

At the top of that short list would be former Cardinals catcher Joe Girardi. But he presently has his dream job with the New York Yankees. Next could be former Red Sox skipper Terry Francona, who was run out of Boston when the team blew the wild-card playoff spot within the final inning of the final game.

But the frat-house atmosphere Francona presided over in Boston won’t fly in St. Louis, where La Russa long ran the tightest clubhouse in baseball. If Francona has any desire to manage again and can win over management, the players and fans, he might be a great fit.