The Los Angeles Dodgers held an intimate Tommy Lasorda Celebration of Life ceremony at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, with Eric Karros, Mickey Hatcher, and Justin and Kourtney Turner among those in attendance. Lasorda passed away Jan. 7 at the age of 93.
The Dodgers previously placed flowers by his No. 2 in the retired numbers plaza on the top deck and at the seat from which he watched countless games. The team additionally painted Lasorda’s No. 2 on the mound and in center field, and kept Dodger Stadium lit up overnight.
Monday’s ceremony preceded a grave-side memorial service that included Keith Williams Jr. signing the national anthem. Sister Johnellen Turner, Sister JoAnn Ashburn and Pastor John Werhas led prayers.
In addition to Karros and Hatcher, Michael Greenberg, Chris Leggio and Steve Brener spoke. Each of the five also served as pallbearers, along with Warren Lichtenstein, Bobby Valentine, Charlie Hough, Mike Scioscia and Mike Fratello.
Lasorda spent 71 years with the Dodgers organization as a player, coach, scout, manager, executive or special advisor. Twenty of those came as manager, which saw Lasorda compile a 1,599-1,439 record and lead the team to eight National League West division titles, four NL pennants and two World Series championships (1981, 1988).
Lasorda’s passing was met by an outpour of messages and memories shared by both current and former players. Turner, who remains a free agent, recently detailed his first exchange with Lasorda during Spring Training in 2014, laughing as he recalled being put in a chokehold by the fiery former manager.
Dodgers to recognize Lasorda during 2021
Having memorialized Lasorda with flowers and painting No. 2 at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers additionally intend to celebrate him during the regular season.
Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten recently explained it would entail likely wearing a jersey patch and some sort of involvement with fans once they are permitted to attend games in Los Angeles.
“Obviously we’ll do something prominent,” Kasten said. “You can count on us having a fair amount of programming Opening Day and many days thereafter, honoring Tommy in a way he deserves to be honored as one of the all-time great and most memorable Dodgers of all-time.”
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