Anderson motivated after talk with La Russa: 'I'm behind him'

Doubts about whether Tim Anderson and Tony La Russa would get along can be put to rest now that the two of them are apparently on the same page ahead of the 2021 campaign.

The dynamic Chicago White Sox shortstop walked away from a recent one-on-one meeting feeling motivated by his new manager.

"Just to see what page he's on is definitely awesome," Anderson said Monday, according to ESPN.

"The drive to want to win, he has that. I'm behind him 110%. That's the ultimate goal, is to win and to win a World Series here. I'm behind him."

The 2019 American League batting champion - who is as known for flipping bats as he is for his batting average - said in November he wasn't willing to "change my style" to accommodate La Russa's old-school approach.

However, he had nothing but praise Monday for his new bench boss, who has managed boisterous stars like Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco.

"I think he's pretty solid. So far, everything has been great," Anderson said. "The things he has been preaching have been good. I think we got the right man. I hope so."

Chicago hired La Russa in October - 34 years after he last managed the club.

The 76-year-old architected a Hall of Fame career after the White Sox dismissed him, including winning three World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals.