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I have a great memory of Lasorda. Before he was manager of the Dodgers, he was 3rd base coach. I was watching a Saturday Baseball Game of the Week. IIRC, Joe Garagiola and Tony Kubek were calling the game and it was Dodgers/Cincinnati Red Legs.

NBC had mics on Lasorda and Cincinnati manager Tony Perez. The Dodgers are batting, Lasorda is in the coaching box at 3rd, and Pete Rose is playing 3rd base.

Lasorda calls out to Rose.

“Hey, Pete!”

Rose glances toward him.

“The Dodgers had a vote before the game to pick the best looking guy on the Cincinnati ball club; and you came in second!”

Rose acts more interested and is looking right at him.

“Yeah, the whole rest of the team tied for first.”

Rose gives a half smile and crouches down a little lower.

“What a day. What a game. The Dodgers and the Reds!” Lasorda finishes with.

I remember watching a WS that the Dodgers were in, 1988 I believe. Their relief pitcher, Jesse Orozco, was struggling with control, so Tommy calls time-out, trots out to the mound and tells the pitcher "throw a fuckin' strike Jesse" and then returns to the dugout.

Shortest mound visit ever.

When I was a student at Northrop back in the 80’s my student ID card got me 3rd base line seats about 6 or 8 rows up. $18.

I remember watching the Dodgers up close. Garvey and Cey. Steve Sax, Mike Scioscia and Yeager. They were a fun team to watch. Dusty Baker and Rick Monday.

RIP Tommy.

A true baseball guy, even if he was a Dodger. RIP.

As a Giants fan, I hated that guy with a white-hot passion however, I also recognized that guys like Lasorda were good for the game, the beat writers understood this and his persona was just another facet of a great game.

A character like him has all but faded into history as the overbearing need for antiseptic figures and nanny-type beat writers sterilize the game.

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
Garvey and Cey. Steve Sax, Mike Scioscia and Yeager.

They had the same four infielders for TEN consecutive years; Garvey, Lopes, Cey and Russell. I don't think we'll ever see that again. So little continuity anymore.

Used to be some hilarious audio on youtube of Tommy in postgame press meetings. RIP sir.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Orndorff:


They had the same four infielders for TEN consecutive years; Garvey, Lopes, Cey and Russell. I don't think we'll ever see that again. So little continuity anymore.

I forgot about Davey Lopes - wow - yeah.

I remember Garvey was all forearms. His wife, Cyndy was a tv personality on a local network station at the time

He sure was a character. I remember a reporter asking him why he pitched to Jack Clark of the Cardinals after Jack hit a playoff game winning home run. Man he blew a gasket.

Kinda surprised he live that long he has looked 80 years old for about 30 years. I remember when he got in the middle of a big fight and got sent flying to the ground. I was thinking "is he going to get up".

HOF manager RIP.

I'm not a Dodgers fan, but was a fan of Lasorda. He usually looked like he was having a great time.

And who could forget the '88 World Series: Lasorda v. La Russa, Eckersly v. Gibson. Probably the best baseball I ever seen.

You will be missed, Coach.

Love ya.
Greatest Dodger Fan

This pic is from 1977, shirtless bringing the cheddar.

This. Remember when he would blow kisses to the fan booing at Candlestick ?

He was the OG Charles Barkley just saying whatever he wanted. There’s some good audio compilations on YouTube if some of his rants to reporters. He certainly had a way with words. The Kurt Bevacqua rant is probly his best. RIP

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
As a Giants fan, I hated that guy with a white-hot passion however, I also recognized that guys like Lasorda were good for the game, the beat writers understood this and his persona was just another facet of a great game.

A character like him has all but faded into history as the overbearing need for antiseptic figures and nanny-type beat writers sterilize the game.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ElToro,

Tommy was a gem. As a dodger fan way back when. I do recall some of his better moments. But remember the players and some of games more. Which is the sign of a good manager. He was great for the game. Without guys like him the game is lost now in many regards. RIP Mr. Linguine

Tommy was incredible with the 2000 US Olympic baseball team. Leading our amateur kids to Gold against Cuba and other nations using professional playes. That gold medal made me a very proud American in 2000. God rest his soul.

A gentleman when the game was a game. May he RIP.

Sad day. RIP Tommy. Thanks for the memories.

With the passing of Vin Scully’s wife the other day, I’m afraid that he will be coming up to join you soon.

Tommy dished it out and took it back. He was a character and made baseball fun. I ran into in the stands at AT&T Park during a Giants Dodgers series.

A truly sad loss to the game..Tommy added spice to baseball...he was fun