"THe Death, Details and Legacy of the Preliminary Los Angeles Dodgers Manager. "--Donovan Harris, 8th grade
Many mourned on the day of January 8, 2021, when legendary Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda passed away at the age of 93. Lasorda had been previously hospitalized before his death for serious heart problems, but once he was released, he was hospitalized again after going into cardiac arrest. He died the next day from a heart attack. Lasorda was undoubtedly one of the most prolific sports figures to ever live. This is Lasorda’s legacy, his relationship with the Dodgers, and more.
Thomas Charles Lasorda was the legendary Dodgers manager and pitcher, who was the GM of the team for 20 years, leading them to two World Series championships.
Many in the baseball world are reeling from this loss.
“Tommy Lasorda, this wonderful man, Hall of Famer in baseball and in life, this is him, so much joy,” recalled Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen. “So much love he had for baseball, for the Dodgers. To win, to love this game, to live and play with joy was his message to us. Rest in peace in Blue Heaven, sir and thank you.”
“I will miss our conversations about the Dodgers & the Lakers. He meant the world to the Dodgers organization, MLB, and to the city of Los Angeles. He will always be known to Dodger Nation as ‘Mr. Dodger,’” said Lakers great and Dodgers part-owner Magic Johnson.
Before becoming the manager we all know him as today, Lasorda pitched for the Dodgers from 1954 to 1955, as well as with the Kansas City Athletics in 1956. Lasorda also coached the Dodgers from 1973 to 1976, and devoted his life to the Dodgers, spending over 40 years in their organization.
When Lasorda retired in 1996 after suffering from heart problems, the Dodgers also retired his iconic number 2 jersey.
Along with two World Series championships in 1981 and 1989, Lasorda also had quite the personality.
“In my 54 years in MLB I don’t think I met a more magnetic, jovial man who loved the game as much as Tommy Lasorda did,” said former Major League Baseball executive Tony Siegle. “A man who all he had to say was ‘hello’ and I would be in hysterics. And when Tommy Lasorda knew who I was , I knew I had officially arrived.”
“Tommy was sort of the P.T. Barnum of baseball, a character, the best storyteller, the best entertainer,” former Dodger Steve Garvey said.
Perhaps one of Lasorda’s most infamous and funny moments with the Dodgers happened in August of 1988, when the Dodgers were playing the Philadelphia Phillies.
Lasorda was being taunted by the Phillies mascot, the Philly Phanatic with a stuffed mannequin of his likeness. Lasorda did not appreciate this, and proceeded to steal the Phanatic’s ATV. The Phanatic still taunted Lasorda, as if he wanted to fight, and that’s when Lasorda had enough. He ran over to the Phanatic, snatched the mannequin of himself, pushed the Phanatic to the ground, and beat the Phanatic with it.
The Dodgers were Lasorda’s team, and he knew it.
Rest In Peace, Tommy
1927-2021
Thomas Charles Lasorda was the legendary Dodgers manager and pitcher, who was the GM of the team for 20 years, leading them to two World Series championships.
Many in the baseball world are reeling from this loss.
“Tommy Lasorda, this wonderful man, Hall of Famer in baseball and in life, this is him, so much joy,” recalled Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen. “So much love he had for baseball, for the Dodgers. To win, to love this game, to live and play with joy was his message to us. Rest in peace in Blue Heaven, sir and thank you.”
“I will miss our conversations about the Dodgers & the Lakers. He meant the world to the Dodgers organization, MLB, and to the city of Los Angeles. He will always be known to Dodger Nation as ‘Mr. Dodger,’” said Lakers great and Dodgers part-owner Magic Johnson.
Before becoming the manager we all know him as today, Lasorda pitched for the Dodgers from 1954 to 1955, as well as with the Kansas City Athletics in 1956. Lasorda also coached the Dodgers from 1973 to 1976, and devoted his life to the Dodgers, spending over 40 years in their organization.
When Lasorda retired in 1996 after suffering from heart problems, the Dodgers also retired his iconic number 2 jersey.
Along with two World Series championships in 1981 and 1989, Lasorda also had quite the personality.
“In my 54 years in MLB I don’t think I met a more magnetic, jovial man who loved the game as much as Tommy Lasorda did,” said former Major League Baseball executive Tony Siegle. “A man who all he had to say was ‘hello’ and I would be in hysterics. And when Tommy Lasorda knew who I was , I knew I had officially arrived.”
“Tommy was sort of the P.T. Barnum of baseball, a character, the best storyteller, the best entertainer,” former Dodger Steve Garvey said.
Perhaps one of Lasorda’s most infamous and funny moments with the Dodgers happened in August of 1988, when the Dodgers were playing the Philadelphia Phillies.
Lasorda was being taunted by the Phillies mascot, the Philly Phanatic with a stuffed mannequin of his likeness. Lasorda did not appreciate this, and proceeded to steal the Phanatic’s ATV. The Phanatic still taunted Lasorda, as if he wanted to fight, and that’s when Lasorda had enough. He ran over to the Phanatic, snatched the mannequin of himself, pushed the Phanatic to the ground, and beat the Phanatic with it.
The Dodgers were Lasorda’s team, and he knew it.
Rest In Peace, Tommy
1927-2021