Tony La Russa never lost an All-Star game as an American League manager and never won one as an NL skipper. Now, he will get one more chance to rectify that last statistic.

La Russa, who retired as Cardinals manager in October just days after leading his team to the World Series title, was named Tuesday by commissioner Bud Selig to manage the National League All-Star team for this year's All-Star Game in Kansas City on July 10.

In three games as an All-Star manager in the AL, La Russa, with Oakland then, won midsummer games from 1989-91. In the NL, La Russa's teams lost All-Star Games in 2005 and 2007, but Selig has given La Russa another chance.

La Russa said he hadn't politicked to manage the All-Star Game but was hoping he would be asked.

"I've made it no secret," said La Russa, "that ever since 1984, which was my first All-Star coaching assignment, being around the greatest players in the world for a couple of days is a wonderful experience. To be reunited with some of our coaches and hopefully a bunch of players. … I'm excited about that.

"You never take something like this for granted. When it first came up, I was excited. If it was true, I was fired-up to do it.

"Then (National League official) Katy Fenney called me last Friday. The invitation was extended and then they were going to announce it and I said, 'Far out, man.'''

Among the Cardinals coaches La Russa hopes will be on hand for the game is pitching coach Dave Duncan, who is taking a leave of absence for the season to help care for his ailing wife, Jeanine.

Former Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols could well be opposing La Russa for the first time if Pujols, now a Los Angeles Angels player, makes the American League squad.

"I'll be pulling for him," said La Russa, who didn't use Pujols in La Russa's last All-Star managerial experience in 2007 in San Francisco.

Asked if he would think about walking Pujols, La Russa said, "I think we'll be pitching to him."

La Russa is the third retired manager to guide an All-Star squad the next year. Hall of Famer John McGraw, who managed the New York Giants through 1932, directed the first National League All-Star team in 1933. And Pittsburgh manager Danny Murtaugh, who retired after winning the 1971 world title only to return a couple of years later, managed the NL All-Star team in 1972.

La Russa, 67, managed 33 years in the majors, with the Chicago White Sox (1979-1986), the A's (1986-1995) and the Cardinals (1996-2011).