When the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 of the World Series to end the franchise’s championship drought, there were several thousand fans in attendance at Globe Life Field.
Chief among them was Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, who wanted nothing more than to watch his favorite team win. Lasorda got his wish but unfortunately passed away at the age of 93 shortly after being released from the hospital.
He was a Dodgers lifer in every sense, spending more than seven decades with the organization. “First and foremost it speaks to the relationship that he had with the Dodgers,” manager Dave Roberts said of Lasorda’s legacy.
“The continuity that the Dodgers have always prided themselves on. Tommy was great on the field as a leader, he was great off the field in the community, an advocate of baseball not only in America but beyond.
“As he talked about, representing the U.S. in the Olympics was one of his proudest moments. I do think Tommy, like many great leaders, just took it one day at a time. And all he cared about was the Dodgers and winning and pouring into players.
“You look at his whole body of work, it’s 20 years managing the Dodgers and two world championships. He just did a great job of putting his head down and doing it the right way.”
Roberts had developed a close relationship with Lasorda over the years, often crossing paths at Spring Training and Dodger Stadium. He detailed a conversation they had shortly after the club won the World Series.
“Just a quick little embrace, some tears and just kind of we did it. Just elation. I was so happy he was there,” Roberts said. “The Dodgers made it possible, and it wouldn’t have been complete without him there.”
By leading the Dodgers to their first World Series title since 1988, Roberts joined a prestigious group that includes Lasorda and Walter Alston. “I can’t speak for either of those two gentlemen, but it represents an entire organization,” Roberts said.
“It takes a lot to accomplish that. But I think that anytime you can be in the conversation as two Hall of Fame managers, you’ve got to be doing something right. So for me, it’s quite the accomplishment.
“Now, going forward, I’m just really intent on keeping his legacy alive with how he did things and what he meant to the Dodgers organization.”
Dodgers planning to honor Lasorda during 2021 season
Dodgers CEO and president Stan Kasten recently revealed the organization will honor Lasorda in some capacity during the 2021 season. “Don’t know yet, but obviously we’ll do something prominent,” Kasten said.
“I would think the first thing is a patch on jerseys. You can count on us having a fair amount of programming Opening Day and many days thereafter, honoring Tommy in a way he deserves to be honored as one of the all-time great and most memorable Dodgers of all-time.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
