Tommy Lasorda
Tommy Lasorda
Thomas Charles "Tommy" Lasordais a former Major League baseball player who has had a lengthy career in sports management. In 2009, he marked his sixth decade in one capacity or another with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the longest non-continuoustenure anyone has had with the team, edging Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully by a single season. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a manager in 1997...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth22 September 1927
CityNorristown, PA
CountryUnited States of America
I didn't even graduate from high school. I've never told anybody that before. I got my degree later, when I was in the army.
Everything I have, I owe to baseball and the Dodgers.
It's still the best game in town because you don't have to be big to play, and everybody plays. Even your grandmother probably played baseball.
When I took the job as the manager of the Olympic team, I didn't take it because I was a Dodger. I did it because I was an American, and I wanted to bring that gold medal where it belongs in baseball, the United States. And that's exactly what our team did.
Always give an autograph when somebody asks you.
I've had heroes in my life - Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth.
I've always called L.A. 'the world capital of sport.'
I've got a portrait in the Smithsonian. Who ever thought that would happen?
My goal is to live to be 100.
I was fortunate enough to coach the U.S. Olympic team in Australia.
Everywhere I go, I feel strange.
Say 'Dodgers' and people know you're talking about baseball. Say 'Braves' and they ask, 'What reservation?' Say 'Reds' and they think of communism. Say 'Padres' and they look around for a priest.
The gym teacher's name was Mr. Caruso. Mr. Caruso did not speak English. He spoke 'Gym.' One day I was playing basketball and Mr. Caruso told me I would have to get an athletic supporter. He didn't express himself exactly that way, though. He said, 'Hey, you, one day you're gonna go up for a rebound and the family jewels aren't gonna go with ya.' I had no idea what he was talking about. Next day I showed up for practice without my watch and my mezuzah. He said, 'Did ya take care of the family jewels?' I said, 'I left 'em in my locker.' Took us a half hour to revive Mr. Caruso.
People say you can't go out and eat with your players. I say why not.