“With Lasorda considered by many to be the most famous ambassador for baseball, he has spent 71 seasons at the Dodger Organization with Dodger Blue running through his veins,” the team said.
Lasorda, who won the World Series titles as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981 and 1988, participated in the Brooklyn Dodgers system in 1954 and 1955. He took over as Los Angeles manager in 1976, a position he held for 20 years, winning two National League Director Awards For the year as well as these two world championships. He also led the team to 1,599 wins during his tenure as coach, and was the first coach in the national league to win two flags in the first two seasons.
After retiring in 1996, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.
He said, “Sometimes I sit here and I don’t believe it. The blue sky is on the ground.” I used to say, ‘Hey, if you want to get to Heaven, you have to go through Dodger Stadium.’
He said he loved her so much, and wanted to be buried under Rami’s Hill – which is the pose he used to play.
“And when some left-wing people struggle there, he hears a voice.” Slow down, son. focus. you can do that. believe in yourself. “He will look around (and say), ‘Someone is talking to me! Where? Who is this guy talking to me? ”And Tom Lasorda will be, under that hill,” the Hall of Famer, a left-handed pitcher, told CNN.
The tribute flows to the man, who retired from his # 2 shirt in 1997.
“He was a great ambassador for the team and baseball, a mentor to players and coaches, he always had time to sign and a story to many of his fans and was a good friend,” said owner and chairman of the Dodgers Corporation, Mark Walter.
Hall of Fame announcer Finn Scully said he would also remember “limitless enthusiasm” and his determination.
He said, “Tommy would wake up full of beans and keep that up for as long as he’s with everyone else.”
Lasorda has lived with his wife, Joe, for 70 years; Their daughter, Laura, and granddaughter, Emily Tess.
Lauren M. contributed to this report. Johnson from CNN.
