As Cardinal Nation is now well aware, the Redbirds have inked their long-time manager to a deal that will keep him in the Gateway City for at least once more season. A mutual option exists for the 2011 campaign – meaning either party can opt out of the deal – but that likely won’t be decided until another offseason of drama and disillusionment regarding the skipper’s pending return takes place in a year. Regardless, he is staying put for 2010, which gives the Cardinals another year of frustrating but competitive baseball micromanagement and a slew of other idiosyncrasies that come along with the manager’s reign. Here are a dozen potential examples of what the return of LaRussa means for Cardinal Nation.

It means…

1. Increased police detail at traffic lights in South Florida
Jupiter cops are wise to LaRussa’s well-publicized inebriated antics and will keep an eye out for any future violations.

2. More surly post-game interviews
The Cardinal skipper doesn’t take kindly to soft, obvious questioning about the status of the team or results of a game. Don’t expect 2010 to be any different. And don’t expect him to ever admit he was wrong.

3. More of Mark McGwire
Tony’s favorite slugger/juicer of old returns to St. Louis as the team’s newest hitting coach. The manager likely had a bushel of influence on his return and the two are poised to join together, master left-handed pitching and “not talk about the past”.

4. A new favorite undeserving player is bound to sprout next season
With Chris Duncan shipped off to Boston’s low-level facilities and Rick Ankiel not likely to be re-signed, Tony will have to shower a new struggling, unimpressive hitter with playing time. Perhaps Jose Oquendo has a nephew the team could contact.

5. Another power hitter in the two-hole
LaRussa’s love of pop in front of Albert Pujols makes little sense – it leaves him hitting with the bases empty or in a position to be pitched around far too often – but it’s not going away anytime soon. His only problem will be finding someone that fits the mold to hit there. A feat not accomplished last season.

6. Another year of situational lefties pitching to right-handers
The manager lauds himself for the creation of the lefty-lefty matchup, but he has strayed from his own design. How many times last season did we see Trever Miller and Dennys Reyes left in too long or brought in to face a righty? Next year should bring more of the same.

7. More awkward interactions with John Mozeliak
It’s no secret that LaRussa and his General Manager do not get along and, since the removal of Chris Duncan, the situation has gotten increasingly tenser. Expect mumbled barbs and plenty of beating around the bush between the two next season.

8. The Cardinals will continue to abandon the running game
The Redbirds – at their manager’s behest – do not run in front of Albert Pujols. A smart decision. But that doesn’t mean they can’t run at all. This club has some speed behind Albert as well, but it will likely go unused next year, leaving the Cards in the stolen base cellar once again.

9. Another year of Brad Thompson
Tony seems to love the reliever/spot starter despite his pitiful numbers, so he will most certainly be in the mix next year. He will bring his 2-6 record and 4.84 ERA to the club in 2010.

10. Dave Duncan’s likely return
The master of the makeover seemed all but gone after his son was traded in July, but with LaRussa deciding to stick around, he’ll likely cement his status as the Cardinal pitching coach for one more season. He won’t be a ray of sunshine, but it means good news for the Cardinal pitching staff. Especially if John Smoltz returns.

11. More rage from Kevin Slaten
The ever enraged and disapproving talk show host has a well-known disdain for the Cardinal Manager and his pitching coach, and he won’t take the news of their decision to remain in St. Louis lightly. Expect more chides and vehement hate from him and his army of mindless, ass-kissing followers.

12. Good news for the Cardinals
All kidding aside, LaRussa is a Hall of Fame-caliber manager and the Cardinals have been competitive – or at least exciting – in nearly every season since his arrival. He may be frustrating and irritable at times, and Cardinal Nation may not agree with his style or his ultimate decisions, but his overall results are hard to challenge. The bottom line is, he gets the most out of his players and gives this organization a realistic chance of returning to the postseason or challenging for a World Series title while he’s at the helm. Hate him or disagree with him all you want, but the available candidates to replace him this season would likely not produce the same results.