Jo Lasorda, the widow of Hall of Fame Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, passed away in her Fullerton home on Monday evening at the age of 91. No cause of death was given.
Jo was born on March 14, 1930 in Greenville, South Carolina, and met Tommy at a local baseball game in 1949. The two married in 1950 and were together for 70 years until this past January when Tommy passed away at the age of 93.
The city of Fullerton plans to honor the manager on Wednesday with Tommy Lasorda Day for what would have marked his 94th birthday.
Together, Jo and Tommy helped raise their daughter, Laura, and son, Tommy Jr., who passed away in 1991. Along with Laura, Jo is survived by her granddaughter, Emily Tess, and sister, Gladys Reeves.
The Los Angeles Dodgers family were saddened to learn of the passing of Jo Lasorda, widow of Dodgers’ Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda. Jo, 91, passed away Monday evening at 8:59 p.m. at her Fullerton home. We send our deepest condolences to the Lasorda family at this time.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 21, 2021
Jo’s death is the latest among several in the Dodgers family this year. In addition to Tommy, the Dodgers mourned the losses of Sandra Scully, Stan Williams, Norm Sherry, Mike Marshall and Solly Drake.
Dodgers celebrated Lasorda during first homestand
The Dodgers not only celebrated their 2020 World Series title on their first homestand this season, they also played a tribute video for Lasorda.
Justin Turner shared his first encounter with Lasorda at Camelback Ranch during 2014 Spring Training. It entailed Lasorda putting Turner in a chokehold while he sat in a therapy pool, and a good laugh after.
Max Muncy also was in the tribute video shown prior to first pitch, and he additionally celebrated Lasorda’s memory by wearing custom cleats for the Dodgers’ ring ceremony and home opener.
Prior to holding the tribute ceremony, the Dodgers had already kept Lasorda’s memory with them by way of a jersey patch. There additionally is a display of Lasorda artifacts under the pavilion in center field as part of the new renovation.
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