Tommy Lasorda
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Tom Lasorda Stats & Facts

Hall of Fame, Player
 

 

Tommy Lasorda

Position: Pitcher
Bats: Left  •  Throws: Left
5-10, 175lb (178cm, 79kg)
Born: September 22, 1927 in Norristown, PA us
Died: January 7, 2021  in Fullerton, CA
Buried: Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, CA
High School: Norristown Area HS (Norristown, PA)
Debut: August 5, 1954 (11,170th in major league history)
vs. STL 3.0 IP, 6 H, 1 SO, 1 BB, 3 ER
Last Game: July 8, 1956
vs. CLE 0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 SO, 3 BB, 5 ER
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Manager in 1997. (Voted by Veteran’s Committee)
View Tommy Lasorda’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Full Name: Thomas Charles Lasorda
Nicknames: Tommy
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen

Nine Players Who Debuted in 1954

Hank Aaron
Harmon Killebrew
Bill Skowron
Vic Power
Camilo Pascual
Ryne Duren
Wally Moon
Don Zimmer
Frank Lary

 

All-Time Teammate Team

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Notable Events and Chronology 

Tommy Lasorda, strikes out 25 batters and collects the game-winning hit

Tommy Lasorda, strikes out 25 batters and collects the game-winning hit

1952 - The Montreal Royals clinch the International League pennant behind the stellar pitching of lefty Tommy Lasorda.

1952 – The Montreal Royals clinch the International League pennant behind the stellar pitching of lefty Tommy Lasorda.

Tom Lasorda throws 3 wild pitches in one inning in his first start

Tom Lasorda throws 3 wild pitches in one inning in his first start

In his first major league start, Dodger rookie starter Tommy Lasorda ties a record, throwing three wild pitches in the first inning of the team's 4-3 victory over St. Louis at Ebbets Field. The future Dodgers' Hall of Fame skipper, during his one inning of work, will be spiked by Wally Moon, covering a play at home plate after uncorking on of his errant pitches.

In his first major league start, Dodger rookie starter Tommy Lasorda ties a record, throwing three wild pitches in the first inning of the team’s 4-3 victory over St. Louis at Ebbets Field. The future Dodgers’ Hall of Fame skipper, during his one inning of work, will be spiked by Wally Moon, covering a play at home plate after uncorking on of his errant pitches.

Brooklyn Dodgers option left-handed pitcher Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals to make room for Sandy Koufax

Brooklyn Dodgers option left-handed pitcher Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals to make room for Sandy Koufax

Los Angeles Dodgers name Tommy Lasorda as manager, replacing the retired Walter Alston.

Los Angeles Dodgers name Tommy Lasorda as manager, replacing the retired Walter Alston.

Tommy Lasorda 1000 victory

Tommy Lasorda debuts for Dodgers as manager

dave kingman

Dave Kingman of the Chicago Cubs hits three home runs vs Dodgers

1979 - Ken Forsch twirls a three-hitter as the Astros top the Dodgers, 5-2, but the talk is about a brawl that clears the benches. Cesar Cedeno spikes Steve Yeager during a play at the plate. Yeager later tosses a ball out to Cedeno at first who fires it back into the L.A. bench. Ken Brett then hits Enos Cabell with a pitch and away they go. Tommy Lasorda beat the rush, getting tossed three innings earlier.

1979 – Ken Forsch twirls a three-hitter as the Astros top the Dodgers, 5-2, but the talk is about a brawl that clears the benches. Cesar Cedeno spikes Steve Yeager during a play at the plate. Yeager later tosses a ball out to Cedeno at first who fires it back into the L.A. bench. Ken Brett then hits Enos Cabell with a pitch and away they go. Tommy Lasorda beat the rush, getting tossed three innings earlier.

Tommy Lasorda 1000 victory

Giants coach Jim Lefebvre and Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda trade punches after a brief argument

Pittsburgh tops the Dodgers, 9 - 3. Jay Johnstone breaks an 0 for 21 slump by lining a pinch double for Los Angeles‚ but when he returns to the dugout, manager Tommy Lasorda tells him he's been released. He'll sign with the Cubs but return to LA in 1985.

Pittsburgh tops the Dodgers, 9 – 3. Jay Johnstone breaks an 0 for 21 slump by lining a pinch double for Los Angeles‚ but when he returns to the dugout, manager Tommy Lasorda tells him he’s been released. He’ll sign with the Cubs but return to LA in 1985.

Tommy Lasorda 1000 victory

Tommy Lasorda records his 1,000th victory

5/21/1994 - The Reds worked with two different lineups in this game. The official version had Brian Dorsett hitting seventh and Bret Boone eighth. However, the lineup posted in the dugout reversed them. Boone led off the bottom of the second out of order by grounding out. Then Dorsett walked, also out of order. Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda talked with umpire Jerry Crawford. Dorsett was told to return to the dugout and pitcher John Roper, the ninth hitter, was ruled out. Reds manager Dave Johnson protested because he did not understand the rules. He thought Dorsett was out and Roper should bat. He did, however, take the blame for the mix-up. Lasorda protested for the same reason: lack of understanding. He thought that Boone should have been the next batter. The umpires ruled this situation correctly and Roper was given a time at bat with an automatic putout for the catcher. Lasorda eventually dropped his protest as the Dodgers won, 6-4.

5/21/1994 – The Reds worked with two different lineups in this game. The official version had Brian Dorsett hitting seventh and Bret Boone eighth. However, the lineup posted in the dugout reversed them. Boone led off the bottom of the second out of order by grounding out. Then Dorsett walked, also out of order. Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda talked with umpire Jerry Crawford. Dorsett was told to return to the dugout and pitcher John Roper, the ninth hitter, was ruled out. Reds manager Dave Johnson protested because he did not understand the rules. He thought Dorsett was out and Roper should bat. He did, however, take the blame for the mix-up. Lasorda protested for the same reason: lack of understanding. He thought that Boone should have been the next batter. The umpires ruled this situation correctly and Roper was given a time at bat with an automatic putout for the catcher. Lasorda eventually dropped his protest as the Dodgers won, 6-4.

Cardinals are awarded a 2-1 victory by forfeit over the Dodgers at "Ball Day" at Dodger Stadium

Cardinals are awarded a 2-1 victory by forfeit over the Dodgers at “Ball Day” at Dodger Stadium

1995 - Thanks to an odd play‚ the Dodgers defeat the Pirates‚ 11 - 10‚ in 11 innings. With the potential winning run at third base‚ Mitch Webster of the Dodgers swings at a pitch in the dirt. When Pittsburgh rookie C Angelo Encarnacion casually picks up the ball with his mask‚ Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda appeals‚ citing the rule which awards a runner two bases if a fielder uses his mask to touch a thrown ball. The umpires agree and allow the winning run to score. Encarnacion is given an error.

1995 – Thanks to an odd play‚ the Dodgers defeat the Pirates‚ 11 – 10‚ in 11 innings. With the potential winning run at third base‚ Mitch Webster of the Dodgers swings at a pitch in the dirt. When Pittsburgh rookie C Angelo Encarnacion casually picks up the ball with his mask‚ Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda appeals‚ citing the rule which awards a runner two bases if a fielder uses his mask to touch a thrown ball. The umpires agree and allow the winning run to score. Encarnacion is given an error.

1996 - Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda undergoes an angioplasty after suffering a mild heart attack. Bill Russell is named Los Angeles' interim manager.

1996 – Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda undergoes an angioplasty after suffering a mild heart attack. Bill Russell is named Los Angeles’ interim manager.

Tommy Lasorda 1000 victory

Tommy Lasorda announces that he is retiring as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers

After a mild heart attack last month, Tommy Lasorda, 68-year-old Dodger manager of twenty years, announces his retirement due to his health. Bill Russell is named as his replacement.

After a mild heart attack last month, Tommy Lasorda, 68-year-old Dodger manager of twenty years, announces his retirement due to his health. Bill Russell is named as his replacement.

Phil Niekro, Tommy Lasorda, Nellie Fox, and Willie Wells are inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Phil Niekro, Tommy Lasorda, Nellie Fox, and Willie Wells are inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Los Angeles's Mike Remlinger pitches six strong innings and belts a three-run double to beat the Reds, 5 - 3. Before the game, the Dodgers retire Tom Lasorda's uniform number 2, the 9th number retired by the franchise.

Los Angeles’s Mike Remlinger pitches six strong innings and belts a three-run double to beat the Reds, 5 – 3. Before the game, the Dodgers retire Tom Lasorda’s uniform number 2, the 9th number retired by the franchise.

The Dodgers fire general manager Fred Claire and manager Bill Russell. Former manager Tommy Lasorda is hired as GM on an interim basis. Glenn Hoffman, who manages the team's AAA Albuquerque Dukes farm club, takes over as interim manager, at the time the Dodgers were in 3rd place.

The Dodgers fire general manager Fred Claire and manager Bill Russell. Former manager Tommy Lasorda is hired as GM on an interim basis. Glenn Hoffman, who manages the team’s AAA Albuquerque Dukes farm club, takes over as interim manager, at the time the Dodgers were in 3rd place.

Dodger interim General Manager Tommy Lasorda sends blue chippers Dennys Reyes and Paul Konerko to the Reds for closer Jeff Shaw. Lasorda later admits he was unaware that Shaw, under terms of the Basic Agreement, has the right to demand a trade at the end of the season.

Dodger interim General Manager Tommy Lasorda sends blue chippers Dennys Reyes and Paul Konerko to the Reds for closer Jeff Shaw. Lasorda later admits he was unaware that Shaw, under terms of the Basic Agreement, has the right to demand a trade at the end of the season.

Kevin Malone is named as the Dodgers' general manager, replacing Tommy Lasorda, who is promoted to Senior Vice President of the team. The "new sheriff in town" tenure in Los Angeles will be marked by the signing of high profile players to huge contracts, including Kevin Brown's seven-year deal making the right-hander the first $100 million man in baseball.

Kevin Malone is named as the Dodgers’ general manager, replacing Tommy Lasorda, who is promoted to Senior Vice President of the team. The “new sheriff in town” tenure in Los Angeles will be marked by the signing of high profile players to huge contracts, including Kevin Brown’s seven-year deal making the right-hander the first $100 million man in baseball.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda is named manager of the U.S. Olympic baseball team. The Hall of Fame manager won four National League pennants and two World Series titles with the Dodgers.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda is named manager of the U.S. Olympic baseball team. The Hall of Fame manager won four National League pennants and two World Series titles with the Dodgers.

As the Braves come to bat in the bottom of the 9th inning trailing the Reds, 4 - 2, a power spike causes most of the lights to go out at Turner Field causing a 12-minute delay. As the Atlanta crowd waits for play to resume it is treated to a rendition of the song, "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia". Earning his 1,600th victory, manager Bobby Cox passes former Los Angeles Dodgers skipper, Tommy Lasorda, on the career list for most managerial victories and puts him 14th on the all-time list.

As the Braves come to bat in the bottom of the 9th inning trailing the Reds, 4 – 2, a power spike causes most of the lights to go out at Turner Field causing a 12-minute delay. As the Atlanta crowd waits for play to resume it is treated to a rendition of the song, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”. Earning his 1,600th victory, manager Bobby Cox passes former Los Angeles Dodgers skipper, Tommy Lasorda, on the career list for most managerial victories and puts him 14th on the all-time list.

The United States Olympic team, managed by former Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda, stuns the world, beating the much-favored Cuban team to win the country's first gold medal in its national pastime. Ben Sheets ends Cuba's 21-game Olympic winning streak with a 4-0 shutout.

The United States Olympic team, managed by former Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda, stuns the world, beating the much-favored Cuban team to win the country’s first gold medal in its national pastime. Ben Sheets ends Cuba’s 21-game Olympic winning streak with a 4-0 shutout.

Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst passes away at the age of 95

Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst passes away at the age of 95

ReMEMBERING TOMMY LASORDA

ReMEMBERING TOMMY LASORDA

Episode 184 - The Long Life of Tommy Lasorda

Episode 184 – The Long Life of Tommy Lasorda

 

Biography

“My heart bleeds Dodger blue,” Lasorda has claimed, during his 35-plus years in the Dodger organization. He looked like a promising pitcher on June 1, 1948 when, in a 15-inning game for the Schenectady Blue Jays (Canadian-American League, Class C), he struck out 25 Amsterdam Rugmakers, setting a since-broken pro record. He even drove in the winning run with a single. In his next two starts, he struck out 15 and 13, gaining the attention of the Dodgers, who signed him for their Montreal club. Lasorda compiled a 98-49 record in nine years with Montreal of the International League, the Dodgers’ top farm club, 1950-1955 and 1958-1960. His best records were 17-8 in 1953 and 18-6 in 1958, when he led the league in victories, complete games, and shutouts. Lasorda helped Montreal to the International League championship five times. He received only two brief trials with the Dodgers, and on May 5, 1955 he tied a ML record with three wild pitches in one inning. Lasorda was demoted in 1955 to make room for bonus baby Sandy Koufax, then sold to Kansas City in 1956, but couldn’t stick with the Athletics or Yankees either. Stuck in the high minors, Lasorda moved to Los Angeles a year before the Dodgers did, with the Angels of the Pacific Coast League.

After his second stint in Montreal, Lasorda became a Dodger scout in 1961 and then a minor league manager in 1965. He won five pennants and finished second twice and third once through 1972, with only one record below .500.

Promoted to the Dodgers as a coach, Lasorda served as Walter Alston’s understudy until September 29, 1976, when Alston retired. He inherited the infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, and Ron Cey that he had helped assemble in the minor leagues, and he reacquired catcher Joe Ferguson, another of his proteges, to alternate with Steve Yeager. In 1977-78, he became the first NL manager to win pennants his first two seasons, but the Dodgers lost the WS to the Yankees in six games each time. After the 1981 player strike, Lasorda’s Dodgers defeated the Astros in the divisional playoff; beat the Expos in the LCS on Rick Monday’s two-out, ninth-inning homer; and then crushed the Yankees with a power display in the World Series. Lasorda managed the Dodgers to division titles in 1983 and 1985, but lost both times in the LCS. In 1988, he shared NL Manager of the Year honors with the Pirates Jim Leyland and took the Dodgers to an upset win over the Mets in the LCS and a shocking WS upset of the A’s. A media favorite, Lasorda is noted for his good humor and his love of Italian cooking. 

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