The Los Angeles Dodgers mourned the death of Tommy Lasorda last month and in the time since have continued to honor and celebrate the Hall of Fame manager.
The team set flowers next to Lasorda’s No. 2 in the retired numbers plaza at Dodger Stadium, by the seat he sat in to watch home games, and painted his jersey number on the mound and in center field. The Dodgers also held an intimate Celebration of Life ceremony, with Eric Karros, Mickey Hatcher, and Justin and Kourtney Turner among those in attendance.
Lasorda touched both current and former Dodgers, and those outside of the organization. He spent 71 years with the Dodgers as a player, coach, scout, manager, executive or special advisor. During his 20 seasons as manager, Lasorda went a 1,599-1,439 and led the team to eight National League West division titles, four NL pennants and two World Series championships (1981, 1988).
With the Dodgers now preparing to defend their 2020 title, the team set a locker for Lasorda at Camelback Ranch.
We miss you, @TommyLasorda. pic.twitter.com/A6Y9G6Kinw
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 22, 2021
Pitchers and catchers are a handful of days into Spring Training, and position players are reporting Monday. The Dodgers will hold their first full-squad workout Tuesday and begin Cactus League play Sunday.
This year will mark the first time in several decades that Lasorda does not spend a portion of Spring Training in uniform.
The team is further honoring Lasorda this season by wearing a No. 2 patch on the right sleeve of their jersey, and Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten indicated there would be more celebrations that hopefully involve fans at some point throughout the year.
Turner recalls being put in chokehold by Lasorda
Lasorda’s passing brought about several stories and anecdotes from his inspiring life, including one shared by Justin Turner on his first exchange with the fiery manager.
The two first met at Camelback Ranch during 2014 Spring Training, and as Lasorda went to complete his rehab work in the pool, issued somewhat of a threat and put Turner in a chokehold because he thought the Dodgers third baseman was mocking him.
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