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Tommy Lasorda is an American baseball executive and ambassador best known for his two decades as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Synopsis
Born in 1927 in Pennsylvania, Tommy Lasorda became a scout and manager in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization after a brief big league playing career. As a successful and popular manager for the Dodgers from 1977 to 1996, Lasorda won nearly 1,600 games and two World Series championships. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, he remained with the Dodgers as a special adviser.
Early Years and Career
Thomas Charles Lasorda was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, on September 22, 1927. The second of five sons born to Italian immigrants Sabatino and Carmella Lasorda, he showed enough promise as a left-handed pitcher to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1945.
After joining the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1949, Lasorda toiled in the minors for years before making his big league debut in 1954. He spent parts of two seasons with the Dodgers, and following another stint with the Kansas City Athletics in 1956, he returned to the minors for good.
Lasorda in 1960 became a scout for the Dodgers, who by then had moved to Los Angeles, and then a manager in their farm system beginning in 1966. He returned to the big leagues as a third-base coach for manager Walter Alston in 1973, and was named Alston's successor in 1976.
Synopsis
Born in 1927 in Pennsylvania, Tommy Lasorda became a scout and manager in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization after a brief big league playing career. As a successful and popular manager for the Dodgers from 1977 to 1996, Lasorda won nearly 1,600 games and two World Series championships. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, he remained with the Dodgers as a special adviser.
Early Years and Career
Thomas Charles Lasorda was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, on September 22, 1927. The second of five sons born to Italian immigrants Sabatino and Carmella Lasorda, he showed enough promise as a left-handed pitcher to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1945.
After joining the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1949, Lasorda toiled in the minors for years before making his big league debut in 1954. He spent parts of two seasons with the Dodgers, and following another stint with the Kansas City Athletics in 1956, he returned to the minors for good.
Lasorda in 1960 became a scout for the Dodgers, who by then had moved to Los Angeles, and then a manager in their farm system beginning in 1966. He returned to the big leagues as a third-base coach for manager Walter Alston in 1973, and was named Alston's successor in 1976.
Tommy Lasorda
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Thank you my friend SGT (Join to see) for making us aware that September 22 is the anniversary of the birth of US Army veteran [1945-1947], American baseball executive and ambassador Tommy Lasorda "best known for his two decades as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers."
Rest in peace Tommy Lasorda!
Baseball Hall of Fame Background from baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/lasorda-tommy
"TOMMY LASORDA
Thomas Charles Lasorda
Inducted to the Hall of Fame in: 1997
Primary team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Primary position: Manager
For more than three decades, he has been the face of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
And after more than sixty years in the Dodgers’ organization, Tommy Lasorda remains the embodiment of Dodger Blue.
Lasorda, who managed the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1976-1996, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 by the Veterans Committee following a career where he won 1,599 games, two World Series and two more National League pennants – all with the Dodgers.
Thomas Charles Lasorda was born Sept. 22, 1927 in Norristown, Pa. He got his start in pro-baseball at the age of 18 as a southpaw pitcher when he signed with the Phillies in 1945, then served two years in the military.
In 1948, Lasorda made a record-making return to the baseball scene with the Schenectady Blue Jays as he authored a 25-strikeout performance. In 1949, the Dodgers drafted him from the Phillies, and he made a new home pitching for the Greenville Spinners and the Montreal Royals. During his time with the Royals, Lasorda led his team to four minor league championships.
Lasorda made his major league debut on Aug. 5, 1954 with the Dodgers. He played for the Dodgers for two seasons before being traded to the Kansas City Athletics, where he pitched for one season.
After the 1960 season, Lasorda ended his playing career in pro ball and became a scout for the Dodgers until 1965. He managed in the minor leagues from 1966-72, and in 1973 Tommy made his way back to the big leagues as a third base coach for the L.A. Dodgers under another future Hall of Fame manager – Walter Alston. Alston retired in 1976 after 23 years with the Dodgers, and Lasorda took the reins.
By 1978, he had led the Dodgers to two straight National League championships, and became the first NL manager to win pennants in their first two seasons. After losing to the Yankees in both the 1977 and 1978 World Series, the Dodgers went on to win the World Series over the Yankees in 1981. They defeated the A’s in 1988 to give Lasorda his second World Series title.
After retiring in 1996, Lasorda stayed busy working in baseball. In 2000, he managed the U.S. Olympic Baseball Team to a gold medal in the Sydney games.
“Guys ask me, don't I get burned out?” Lasorda said. “How can you get burned out doing something you love?”
2. Background from
"Lasorda receives Bob Feller Act of Valor Award
Other honorees are Indians' Swisher and Naval officer
Tommy Lasorda, a Hall of Fame manager and one of the great ambassadors of baseball, on Wednesday received an award that is close to his heart. The man who professes to bleed Dodger Blue is one of three recipients of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.
The award, established in 2013, is being bestowed on three men who possess the values, integrity and dedication to serving the United States in a manner Feller displayed. Lasorda joins Indians first baseman Nick Swisher and Senior Chief Petty Officer Carl Thompson of the U.S. Navy.
"I'm so proud to be one of the honorees to have the award coming to me, especially for a guy I idolized," Lasorda said in a video interview with MLB.com. "I used to look up to him with so much respect."
Author Peter Fertig created the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award with the support of the U.S. Navy, the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial, the Indians, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and Mrs. Anne Feller. The annual award honors one member of baseball's Hall of Fame, one current Major League player and a U.S. Navy Petty Officer.
Lasorda served in the United States Army from 1945-47, putting his baseball career on hold.
In the service, Lasorda was stationed at Fort Meade, Md. To date, Lasorda has visited more than 40 U.S. military installations across the world and he took part in a 2009 USO Goodwill tour for troops in Iraq. This year, Lasorda participated in Navy general retirement ceremonies and in the swearing-in of over 1,500 new U.S. troops.
Visiting the troops is a source of pride for Lasorda.
"All I was wanting to do was to tell them how much I appreciate what they're doing for me and for our country," the iconic former Dodgers manager said. "When they put that uniform on, it's the uniform of the greatest country in the world, the land of opportunity."
Feller made his MLB debut with the Indians at age 17 in 1936, and his legendary career ended in 1956. The right-hander posted a 266-162 lifetime record with 279 complete games and 44 shutouts. If not for spending four years of military service during World War II, he likely would have been a 300-game winner.
An eight-time All-Star, Feller became the first pitcher to win 24 games in a season before turning 21. His list of accomplishments included no-hitters in 1940, 1946 and 1951.
Feller was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility.
Feller passed away at age 92 in 2010.
"He was one of the greatest pitchers that ever walked out on the pitching mound," Lasorda said. "This guy was tremendous, and not only that, but a lot of people didn't know how much of a citizen he was. How proud he was to be an American.
"I enjoyed being with him. I always looked up to him with respect and admiration. The times I spent with him were very, very precious to me."
The word "valor" also holds special meaning to Lasorda.
"It's got a lot of power, the word valor," Lasorda said. "It means a lot. For me to be associated with that word makes me feel really, really good."
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro.
JOHNNY CARSON INTERVIEW TOMMY LASORDA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHsg-FK7o2I
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Wayne Brandon LTC Bill Koski Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher Crayne SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT (Join to see) SSG David Andrews
Rest in peace Tommy Lasorda!
Baseball Hall of Fame Background from baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/lasorda-tommy
"TOMMY LASORDA
Thomas Charles Lasorda
Inducted to the Hall of Fame in: 1997
Primary team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Primary position: Manager
For more than three decades, he has been the face of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
And after more than sixty years in the Dodgers’ organization, Tommy Lasorda remains the embodiment of Dodger Blue.
Lasorda, who managed the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1976-1996, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 by the Veterans Committee following a career where he won 1,599 games, two World Series and two more National League pennants – all with the Dodgers.
Thomas Charles Lasorda was born Sept. 22, 1927 in Norristown, Pa. He got his start in pro-baseball at the age of 18 as a southpaw pitcher when he signed with the Phillies in 1945, then served two years in the military.
In 1948, Lasorda made a record-making return to the baseball scene with the Schenectady Blue Jays as he authored a 25-strikeout performance. In 1949, the Dodgers drafted him from the Phillies, and he made a new home pitching for the Greenville Spinners and the Montreal Royals. During his time with the Royals, Lasorda led his team to four minor league championships.
Lasorda made his major league debut on Aug. 5, 1954 with the Dodgers. He played for the Dodgers for two seasons before being traded to the Kansas City Athletics, where he pitched for one season.
After the 1960 season, Lasorda ended his playing career in pro ball and became a scout for the Dodgers until 1965. He managed in the minor leagues from 1966-72, and in 1973 Tommy made his way back to the big leagues as a third base coach for the L.A. Dodgers under another future Hall of Fame manager – Walter Alston. Alston retired in 1976 after 23 years with the Dodgers, and Lasorda took the reins.
By 1978, he had led the Dodgers to two straight National League championships, and became the first NL manager to win pennants in their first two seasons. After losing to the Yankees in both the 1977 and 1978 World Series, the Dodgers went on to win the World Series over the Yankees in 1981. They defeated the A’s in 1988 to give Lasorda his second World Series title.
After retiring in 1996, Lasorda stayed busy working in baseball. In 2000, he managed the U.S. Olympic Baseball Team to a gold medal in the Sydney games.
“Guys ask me, don't I get burned out?” Lasorda said. “How can you get burned out doing something you love?”
2. Background from
"Lasorda receives Bob Feller Act of Valor Award
Other honorees are Indians' Swisher and Naval officer
Tommy Lasorda, a Hall of Fame manager and one of the great ambassadors of baseball, on Wednesday received an award that is close to his heart. The man who professes to bleed Dodger Blue is one of three recipients of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.
The award, established in 2013, is being bestowed on three men who possess the values, integrity and dedication to serving the United States in a manner Feller displayed. Lasorda joins Indians first baseman Nick Swisher and Senior Chief Petty Officer Carl Thompson of the U.S. Navy.
"I'm so proud to be one of the honorees to have the award coming to me, especially for a guy I idolized," Lasorda said in a video interview with MLB.com. "I used to look up to him with so much respect."
Author Peter Fertig created the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award with the support of the U.S. Navy, the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial, the Indians, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and Mrs. Anne Feller. The annual award honors one member of baseball's Hall of Fame, one current Major League player and a U.S. Navy Petty Officer.
Lasorda served in the United States Army from 1945-47, putting his baseball career on hold.
In the service, Lasorda was stationed at Fort Meade, Md. To date, Lasorda has visited more than 40 U.S. military installations across the world and he took part in a 2009 USO Goodwill tour for troops in Iraq. This year, Lasorda participated in Navy general retirement ceremonies and in the swearing-in of over 1,500 new U.S. troops.
Visiting the troops is a source of pride for Lasorda.
"All I was wanting to do was to tell them how much I appreciate what they're doing for me and for our country," the iconic former Dodgers manager said. "When they put that uniform on, it's the uniform of the greatest country in the world, the land of opportunity."
Feller made his MLB debut with the Indians at age 17 in 1936, and his legendary career ended in 1956. The right-hander posted a 266-162 lifetime record with 279 complete games and 44 shutouts. If not for spending four years of military service during World War II, he likely would have been a 300-game winner.
An eight-time All-Star, Feller became the first pitcher to win 24 games in a season before turning 21. His list of accomplishments included no-hitters in 1940, 1946 and 1951.
Feller was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility.
Feller passed away at age 92 in 2010.
"He was one of the greatest pitchers that ever walked out on the pitching mound," Lasorda said. "This guy was tremendous, and not only that, but a lot of people didn't know how much of a citizen he was. How proud he was to be an American.
"I enjoyed being with him. I always looked up to him with respect and admiration. The times I spent with him were very, very precious to me."
The word "valor" also holds special meaning to Lasorda.
"It's got a lot of power, the word valor," Lasorda said. "It means a lot. For me to be associated with that word makes me feel really, really good."
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro.
JOHNNY CARSON INTERVIEW TOMMY LASORDA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHsg-FK7o2I
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Wayne Brandon LTC Bill Koski Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher Crayne SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT (Join to see) SSG David Andrews
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