Two legends: Tom Lasorda “interviewing” Fernando Valenzuela in 1981. Photo: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images
Summarize who was Tom Lasorda is simple: one of the most emblematic and beloved men of the illustrious Dodgers franchise by joining the organization by 71 years .
To illustrate his impact on the Los Angeles team, just a moment is enough: the 27 October 1988, when in the first game of the World Series against the almighty Oakland Athletics, “Tommy” consummated one of his genius and against all logic sent pinch-hitting Kirk Gibson in the ninth inning despite his legs being so hurt he could barely walk. The rest was magic, and history.
That decision turned into arguably the most memorable Major League Baseball moment in the past 71 years and consummated the immense legacy of Lasorda, whose death Thursday night in Los Angeles has put baseball in mourning. I had 93 years.
The team reported that “Tommy”, who just earlier in the week had left a hospital after several weeks hospitalized with heart problems, suffered a cardiovascular arrest at home at 10 : 10 pm. He was rushed to a clinic with resuscitation in progress, but was pronounced dead at 10: 70 pm.
Kobe Bryant and Lasorda at Dodger Stadium on 31 July 2013. / Getty Images Almost 14 months after Southern California and the entire sport were rocked by the tragic death of Kobe Bryant , Los Angeles suffers the loss of another of its icons, although the latter distinguished by its incredible longevity.
“In a franchise that has celebrated so many sports legends, no one who has ever worn the uniform represented the Dodger spirit as much as Tommy Lasorda , ”Stan Kasten, the president and CEO of the Dodgers, said in a statement. “He was a tireless spokesperson for baseball, his dedication to the sport and the team he loved was unmatched… Tommy is simply irreplaceable and unforgettable.”
Lasorda, a life with the Dodgers and two titles of genius Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Lasorda was never able to establish himself in the Major Leagues as a player . The left-handed pitcher had only a few appearances and zero wins with the Brooklyn and Kansas City Dodgers in years 48.
But then he worked on the team as a scout, minor league manager and third base coach. Eventually Lasorda would be named manager of the Dodgers, whom he led between 1976 and 1988 with a record of 1, 599-1,439, with four National League championships and of course the two World Series titles that fed the Dodgers fans for decades and in which Lasorda’s genius was instrumental .
In 1981, the manager surprisingly decided to open the season with a Mexican rookie named Fernando Valenzuela due to a series of injuries in his pitching rotation. Valenzuela assaulted baseball and thus the “Fernandomanía” was born, which culminated that year with the victory over the Yankees. Fernando led them, but Lasorda made it possible.
And of course, the triumph of “David vs. Goliath ”by 1988, when a team that was not so strong grew by being motivated in an unconventional way by its manager, who challenged the players and made them give more. This happened for example with the pitcher Orel Hershiser, whom Lasorda even gave him a nickname to make him feel stronger and assume a different attitude on the field . “Bulldog” Hershiser led the team to the crown.
Lasorda, who in October he lost his inseparable pitching coach Ron Perranoski , was enthroned in the Cooperstown Hall of Fame in 1997 for his achievements and for a charisma that made the majors more fun (he was ejected 48 times).
Tommy Lasorda’s boundless enthusiasm brought the former minor league pitcher into the @ dodgers dugout and all the way to Cooperstown. https://t.co/Cf 80 GWmpeI pic.twitter.com/3RcxnpeFI3
– National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@ baseballhall) January 8, 2021
Dodger Stadium always dedicated its love to Tommy Retired as manager, Lasorda never stopped appearing at Dodger Stadium, his home, and on virtually every occasion there was always a moment between innings when the fans stood up. to give him a standing ovation. He used to sit next to Magic Johnson.
Hall of Fame Dodgers Manager, LA icon, and my great friend Tommy Lasorda passed away late last night. For the last 8 years I’ve sat next to Tommy at every Dodgers game and he taught me invaluable lessons on the strategy and history of baseball. pic.twitter.com/6RxmoQ7Che
– Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 8, 2021
“Tommy” performed the last 15 years as special advisor to the Dodgers owner, and his passion for the game never waned. Happily, “Mr. Dodger ”was able to see the team return to the top of the Major Leagues this past fall and was present at the Texas Rangers Stadium, where The Dodgers won the World Series against Tampa Bay .