The Los Angeles Dodgers and entire baseball world mourned the loss of Tommy Lasorda on Friday after he passed away at the age of 93. Nobody bled Dodger Blue more than Lasorda after spending more than 70 years in the organization.
He has the second-most managerial wins in franchise history and helped guide the team to World Series championships in 1981 and 1988. Lasorda luckily got to see the Dodgers win one last World Series, attending the clinching game over the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Field.
He was hospitalized for more than one month weeks at the end of 2020 and hadn’t been released until earlier this week.
Lasorda impacted so many people in the Dodgers organization during his life, and legendary broadcaster Vin Scully paid tribute the only way he knows how by telling some awesome stories about Lasorda’s career.
“There are two things about Tommy I will always remember. Tommy would get up in the morning full of beans and maintain that as long as he was with anybody else. The other was his determination,” Scully said in a statement.
“He was a fellow with limited ability and he pushed himself to be a very good Triple-A pitcher. He never quite had that something extra that makes a major leaguer, but it wasn’t because he didn’t try.
“Those are some of the things: his competitive spirit, his determination, and above all, this boundless energy and self-belief. His heart was bigger than his talent and there were no foul lines for his enthusiasm.”
Lasorda is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jo, as well as their daughter Laura and granddaughter Emily Tess.
Current and former Dodgers, others, pay tribute to Lasorda
In addition to Scully, a number of current and former Dodgers players, as well as part-owner Magic Johnson and others throughout the league, took to social media to pay tribute to Lasorda after his death.
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
Prayers up for the Lasorda family. It was my honor to know Tommy during my time in LA. No one I’ve ever met has matched Tommy’s love for baseball and I don’t think they ever will. I’m so grateful to have gotten to know him and to have spent the time with him that I did.
— Alex Wood (@Awood45) January 8, 2021
The word Legend gets thrown around too often nowadays so that word doesn’t do justice to Tommy. I take comfort knowing that he got a chance to see his beloved Dodgers win another title this past season. What an incredible Man. What a Life. What an ICON! Love you Tommy. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/Hr8t7ALgxn
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) January 8, 2021
Tommy watched me pitch in 2012 rookie ball, Ogden, UT. Afterwards he told me I was going to be a big leaguer. Instantly called my Dad to tell him about it. Going to miss telling Tommy how much that meant to me. RIP to a baseball legend
— Ross Stripling (@RossStripling) January 8, 2021
Rest In Peace Tommy. One of the most passionate and entertaining people I’ve been around in my life. Tough, tough day.
— Walker Buehler (@buehlersdayoff) January 8, 2021
RIP Tommy!! Will never forget all the great conversations, the memories, the stories! Last couple of years, I’d look forward to 6pm before every home game. Getting to talk to you for 5-10 minutes, always made my day! We will all miss you Tommy! 💙 pic.twitter.com/j3VuhyNoFZ
— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) January 8, 2021
#RIPTommyLasorda #TommyLasordaU pic.twitter.com/wmZhYR6rQS
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) January 8, 2021
Until we meet again Sir. Thank you for being a great man to me. This news hurt me so much today, but I thank God that He gave you your wish to see the Dodgers as champions again. You always said you couldn't leave this world w/outseeing that. RIP @TommyLasorda 📸: @JonSooHooPics pic.twitter.com/xuD9ucAZFj
— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) January 8, 2021
Another irreplaceable loss. We lost a person of passion who had a joyful zest for life. I had the honor to travel the baseball world with him. He loved life – his family, his country, his Dodgers, his heritage, the people of this city & his pasta. Rest easy my friend. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/5Wj5pvwZnc
— Ned Colletti (@realnedcolletti) January 8, 2021
To date, I’ve had 62 seasons of great moments and memories, but the memories that I have where Tommy was present, are amongst my most treasured. I will miss my dear friend. pic.twitter.com/9bWVHiIUaT
— Jaime Jarrín (@JaimeJarrin) January 8, 2021
Tommy Lasorda was just a fierce as he was kind, he was mentor to me and a grandfather type to my sons, he was gentle with my wife and respectful to my father and adoring to my mother. There will never be a Tommy Lasorda type in baseball again, he was known by every baseball fan!
— ScottVanSlyke (@ScottVanSlick) January 8, 2021
We will never forget his good humored banter and the long walks he’d take across the field at Candlestick Park blowing kisses to Giants fans. He deeply respected and symbolized the great Giants-Dodgers rivalry.
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) January 8, 2021
The Colorado Rockies mourn the passing of Tommy Lasorda. pic.twitter.com/bHyILQ23DT
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) January 8, 2021
Thank you, Skip. #RIPTommy pic.twitter.com/X6edCeD4an
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) January 8, 2021
The Dodgers placed flowers by Lasorda’s No. 2 in the retired numbers plaza and his seat at Dodger Stadium. Additionally, his jersey number was painted in center field and on the pitcher’s mound, and Chavez Ravine remained lit overnight.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
