The Los Angeles Dodgers returned from a seven-game road trip, and the start of a homestand coincided with former manager Tommy Lasorda making his first visit to Dodger Stadium in recent weeks.
Lasorda was hospitalized last month and underwent surgery to replace his pacemaker. It was Lasorda’s third hospital stay since August 2016. Wearing a sling, the beloved manager was back in his second home — the owners’ box seats behind home plate.
The Dodgers played a video with several of Lasorda’s highlights from his time as manager, including the infamous speech after upsetting the Oakland Athletics in the 1988 World Series. The 89-year-old then received a standing ovation:
Welcome back home, @TommyLasorda! pic.twitter.com/TtfSB6vGIS
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 6, 2017
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke with Lasorda prior Monday’s game, and was glad to again see him at Dodger Stadium. “He looked good,” Roberts said. “To see him watching a baseball game was good for all of us.”
Lasorda managed the Dodgers for 21 seasons, helping guide the team to a pair of World Series titles (1981 and 1988). He’s maintained close ties to the organization since retiring, and is a fixture at Spring Training. Lasorda is currently holds the title of special advisor to Dodgers chairman Mark Walter.
