JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals manager Mike Matheny made sure that his first day on field started with a message of appreciation to his predecessor, Tony La Russa.

In response to a question whether he had reached out recently to La Russa, who retired last October after 16 years in the role, Matheny acknowledged that he had indeed taken time to convey his thoughts before the team's first official workout Sunday.

"It's got to be a strange place in life for him," said Matheny, who played five seasons for La Russa. "I know he's excited about the challenges that lie ahead, and whatever he decides to do I'm sure he's going to do with excellence. But I just wanted to say, 'Hey, we're thinking about you.' I also thanked him for everything he's done for me in the past and everything he's done personally for me in the past and for this organization."

La Russa offered a "short and sweet" response, according to Matheny.

La Russa is scheduled to leave Monday night for the Detroit Tigers' camp in Lakeland before reaching Jupiter next week. La Russa will attend a number of functions tied to the upcoming Honda Classic and plans to stop by Roger Dean Stadium before heading to Arizona.

Having attended spring training in uniform as a player or manager every year since 1963, La Russa recently insisted he is not experiencing pangs of regret over leaving the dugout.

"I don't miss it because I'm excited about what's next," he said. "I'm done in the dugout but ideally I'm eventually going to be involved in a front office someplace."

La Russa recently spoke with Cardinals Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst and admitted missing some of the personalities and friends still connected to the organzation. "I do miss on a personal level the people with the Cardinals and the guys on that team," he said.

The four-time Manager of the Year explained his acceptance of the Tigers' invitation to camp by saying, "I'm excited about staying current."