The Los Angeles Dodgers honored Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda by flying the flags at Dodger Stadium at half-staff and placing flowers by his No. 2 in the retired numbers plaza. Flowers, Lasorda’s jersey was placed in the dugout and along with his two Manager of the Year Awards, the seat from which he watched games.
Lasorda’s jersey number was also painted in center field and on the pitcher’s mound, and the Dodgers kept “Blue Heaven” lit up throughout the night.
Lasorda suffered a sudden cardiopulmonary arrest on Thursday and was transported to the hospital with resuscitation in progress. He was pronounced dead shortly after, passing away at the age of 93. Lasorda is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jo, their daughter and granddaughter.
His death has been mourned by several current and former members of the organization, along with others in the sports world and beyond. Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner were among the Dodgers to offer thoughtful messages and recall memorable exchanges.
Nobody loved the Dodgers more than Tommy. pic.twitter.com/07KCsG7KzR
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 9, 2021
“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,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement.
“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 teams to victory. The Dodgers and their fans will miss him terribly. Tommy is quite simply irreplaceable and unforgettable.”
Kasten said the team would recognize Lasorda on Opening Day and throughout the 2021 season, including likely wearing a jersey patch. The Dodgers also hope to involve the fans in some sort of ceremony at Dodger Stadium once safe to do so.
Bulldog credits Lasorda for career
The former Dodgers skipper was heralded for his ability to motivate and connect with players, and his strongest bond arguably was formed with Orel Hershiser.
“There was never a moment in my Dodger career that Tommy Lasorda wasn’t by my side, developing my pitching style or developing my character,” Hershiser recalled. “And really developing my confidence and belief in myself. I’m still a person that doesn’t run toward success with confidence.
“I really am running away from defeat and embarrassment. I’m running in the same direction as the guys that have a lot of confidence, really go after things and believe in themselves. Tommy found that in me and grew it. That’s why I owe him almost everything in my life — especially my professional baseball life.”
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