Soon after the Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series since 1988, reports surfaced that Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda had unfortunately been admitted into the intensive care unit at a local hospital.
The team did not provide any details and the family requested privacy with the matter. Lasorda had been in Texas to watch the Dodgers defeat the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 to capture their championship.
More recently, the former Dodgers manager was moved out of the ICU and into the rehabilitation center of the hospital as he continued recovering. Lasorda has made more progress and is hopeful to be released this week, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
Tommy Lasorda is said to be doing much better and hoping to be home for Christmas. December 23 is the target date for release from the hospital to be exact. He got out of the ICU Thanksgiving and continues to improve. It was touch and go for a while. But he is an alltime fighter!
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 20, 2020
This marked a fourth time Lasorda has been hospitalized since 2016. The first was in August of 2016, and again in May and October of the following year. The incident in May 2017 also required a stay in the ICU.
Lasorda guided the Dodgers to four National League pennants, two World Series and finished with a 1,599-1,439 record while being named NL Manager of the Year in 1983 and 1988. He’s maintained a fixture with the organization since relinquishing managerial duties.
That’s entailed regular visits to Camelback Ranch during Spring Training, attending a slew of games at Dodger Stadium and occasionally joining the team on the road.
Dave Roberts feels support from Lasorda
Prior to this season, Lasorda was the last manager to lead the Dodgers to a World Series win. As the team looked to end their championship drought, Lasorda and other Dodger icons lent endless support.
“Those guys from the ’80s, the guys prior, obviously Tommy, Orel, Ron Cey, Boomer, Gibby, they have all been great and supportive to us,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the World Series.
“But to have our own moment, I think is great for the city of Los Angeles, great for the Dodgers, and I think they’re happy too. I know they’re happy. I guess burden is a word, but I’m just happy we finally did it.”
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