ST. LOUIS — Saying it was time for "a fresh start," Tony La Russa retired as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

The move came three days after the Cardinals won their 11th World Series title, and the second in six seasons with La Russa in the dugout.

"After the rally last night, I got the players together and told the players," La Russa said at a news conference at Busch Stadium. "This just feels like the time to end it. ... Some grown men cried."

At one point, La Russa, 67, had to stop and collect his thoughts before speaking of his wife, Elaine, who attended the news conference. The couple has two grown daughters, Bianca Tai and Devon Kai, who did not attend.

"She's over there, she's one-third of the family that's allowed me to do this job," La Russa said. "She raised those two children (by herself). We've never had, in the three places, close family anywhere around."

La Russa said he was lucky to work for the Cardinals, Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox in a managing career dating to 1979. He has a 2,728-2,365 record as a manager, ranking third on the all-time victory list led by Connie Mack (3,731).

"I have never spent a day as a major-league manager not in an ideal situation," La Russa said. "That is good fortune."

He said he would not likely be around the Cardinals in the near future.

"I really think this is a fresh start," La Russa said. "Me, personally, it's better to step away for a long while."

La Russa said he would not manage again, saying he hoped to open a business or perhaps own and operate a minor-league team.

Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter said players were stunned by La Russa's announcement to the team.

"I think it was a pretty big surprise," Carpenter said. "I think everybody was caught off guard. ... He does things the way he wants to do them, and you're not going to change his mind. ... I don't think you can replace Tony La Russa."

General manager John Mozeliak said he and La Russa spoke about the skipper's future "every day this postseason."

Mozeliak said, "His leadership over the last 16 years (in St. Louis) has been historic. To win the World Series, no manager could go out on a higher note."