Oakland, California – Chicago White Sox coach Tony La Russa said he’s recovering well from having a pacemaker inserted into his heart, and he’s not sure when he’ll return to run the club.

La Rosa returned with the White Sox in Auckland on Sunday to celebrate the retirement of Dave Stewart’s No. 34 jersey from athletics. La Rosa was there to attend the concert but not to manage his team.

The Hall of Famer, who turns 78 on October 4, shared details of the procedure with the Associated Press after discussing his health before the end of the Chicago AA Series Athletics. He said he was grateful for what he considered a relatively “minor” heart problem.

“Health doesn’t mess with it,” said La Rossa, standing in the dugout in jeans, sneakers, and a short-sleeved golf shirt. A place since the ’90s I’ve had my physical exams. They took it up and fixed it and now it’s just a matter of getting their strength back.”

La Russa didn’t want to miss the special day for Stewart, the longtime ace with the titles.

“It was an amazing set of years,” La Russa said of his 1986-1995 run with Oakland that included the global 1989 earthquake streak that swept the San Francisco Giants.

La Rosa does not know when he will put on his uniform again and return to the bunker. Substitute coach Miguel Cairo led the club during Rosa’s almost two-week absence. The AL Central reigning champ was scheduled to run on August 30 before he was pulled over by medical staff.

Cairo said, “I’m happy to see him. He looks really good. I talked to him so I know how he feels and feels good as he smiles. I’m happy to see him. I know the whole team is happy to see him.'”

The plan is for La Russa to fly home with the team on Sunday, team Monday to take off on Monday and then see what’s next — ‘I don’t plan to wear the uniform until I say it’s time to put on the uniform.’

La Rosa and Cairo talk twice a day and La Rosa watches every game from home until he is allowed to do more. He said he had a problem with spring training, too.

“My problem’s fixed, I’m fixing. When things get better at some point, I’ll be strong enough to do a triathlon,” La Rossa said.

So, could he really consider training for a triathlon?

No chance,” La Rosa said with a smile.