Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda passed away Thursday evening, the team announced. Lasorda was 93 years old and had recently been released from the hospital.
He suffered a sudden cardiopulmonary arrest at his home at 10:09 p.m. on Thursday and was transported to the hospital with resuscitation in progress. He was pronounced dead shortly after. Lasorda is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jo, their daughter and granddaughter.
“My family, my partners and I were blessed to have spent a lot of time with Tommy,” Dodgers owner Mark Walter said in a statement. “He was a great ambassador for the team and baseball, a mentor to players and coaches, he always had time for an autograph and a story for his many fans and he was a good friend. He will be dearly missed.”
Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten added: “In a franchise that has celebrated such great legends of the game, no one who wore the uniform embodied the Dodger spirit as much as Tommy Lasorda.
“A tireless spokesman for baseball, his dedication to the sport and the team he loved was unmatched. He was a champion who at critical moments seemingly willed his team to victory. The Dodgers and their fans will miss him terribly. Tommy is quite simply irreplaceable and unforgettable.”
Lasorda traveled to Texas to watch the Dodgers win their first World Series since he was at the helm in 1988. Shortly after returning to California, Lasorda was admitted to intensive care. He was moved to a rehab center weeks later and remained there for several weeks.
Lasorda had hoped to be released in time for Christmas, and narrowly missed that target.
Lasorda led the Dodgers to four National League pennants, two World Series and finished with a 1,599-1,439 record. He was named National League Manager of the Year in both 1983 and 1988, and maintained ties to the organization as either a player, coach, scout, manager, executive or special advisor for 71 years.
Dodgers mourn loss of Sandra Scully
Coming off what has been a challenging year for all, 2021 has provided little reprieve. This week the Dodgers organization was already mourning the death of Sandra Scully, wife of retired broadcaster Vin Scully.
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!
