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
He was to people all over the world what a baseball player was supposed to be like,
If you said to God, 'Create someone who was what a baseball player should be,' God would have created Joe DiMaggio ... And he did.
I wasn't quite sure how a player got to the big leagues. As far as I knew, he was just there one day.
Ernie Banks was a great great player and when he no longer could play, he became a great ambassador for the game. He represented the game with the highest of class and dignity. Everybody loved Ernie Banks. He enjoyed baseball, life and people. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. We have truly lost a baseball giant.
People say you can't go out and eat with your players. I say why not.
I started in the lowest league in baseball, and I worked my way all the way up to Triple A and then to the big leagues. I never reached the level that I thought I would reach as a player. But that's the way it goes. So then I started from the bottom as a manager, and I worked my way up to managing the Dodgers for 20 years.
I motivate players through communication, being honest with them, having them respect and appreciate your ability and your help.
It is a great honor to be inducted into the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame. When you honor me with this distinction, you really honor the players who put me there. All of the honors I receive became a reality only through the contributions of my players. In addition to myself, you also honor my family and the Dodger organization. I accept this recognition with pride and gratitude.
One time I was doing a speech to a group of kids, and just before I get there, I see this little kid crying. I found out they just lost a game, and he was the losing pitcher. I went over there, put my arm around him, and said, 'What are you crying for? When major league players lose, they don't cry.'
I've always called L.A. 'the world capital of sport.'
I was in awe of playing on that (1955) team,
Frank asks me questions, and I give him opinions, and that's it. I'm the senior advisor to the chairman of the board. It wouldn't be good if we both had the same opinions.
I am enthused and excited to be named the honorary starter. Waving the green flag is like swinging a bat; it's all in the wrists.
I am enthused, and excited to be named the Honorary Starter. Waving the green flag is like swinging a bat; it's all in the wrists.