As part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rich history, several key figures in baseball remain active with the franchise in varying capacities. Sandy Koufax regularly attended Spring Training to serve as a coach, and only retired this year from his position as special advisor to chairman Mark Walter.
Famed Brooklyn Dodgers right-hander Don Newcombe is a regular at Dodger Stadium and holds a special relationship with several players on the current roster. Manny Mota returned to a more consistent coaching role this season, and former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda is also a regular at Chavez Ravine.
Lasorda, who managed the Dodgers for 21 seasons, which included World Series titles in 1981 and 1988, has long attended home games since retiring.
The fiery personality is just over one month away from celebrating his 89th birthday and according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, was recently hospitalized after falling:
Tommy Lasorda, the former Los Angeles Dodgers manager who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997, was hospitalized after a fall last Saturday in Atlantic City and required 12 stitches, according to sources.
Lasorda was seen at Dodger Stadium for their Wednesday afternoon game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He ranks 20th all-time among mangers with 1,599 wins.
An anecdote Lasorda himself enjoys sharing, he was famously optioned to the Minors so Brooklyn could clear room for one Sandy Koufax. Lasorda is currently holds the title of special advisor to the chairman.
He was named vice president in 1996, then interim general manager in June 1998. Lasorda relinquished that role in September 1998 when he was promoted to senior vice president.
