Tommy Lasorda was an American baseball manager who is best known for managing the Los Angeles Dodgers, his time in Major League Baseball, and his notable personality on and off the field.
Personal and Family Life
Tommy Lasorda was born on September 22, 1927, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He married Jo Lasorda on April 14, 1950, and they had two children together. Lasorda faced personal challenges, including the death of his only son, Tommy Jr., in 1991 due to AIDS complications, a tragedy that strained their relationship. Despite these struggles, Lasorda was well respected in the baseball community and remained a beloved figure for his contributions to the sport.
Career Achievements
Lasorda was notably the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1976 to 1996 and was involved with the team for over 50 years. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 and received numerous honors throughout his lifetime, including induction into the International League Hall of Fame in 2008. Lasorda was celebrated not just for his managing skills but also for his passion for baseball, displaying a larger-than-life personality and a deep love for the Dodgers.
Death and Legacy
Tommy Lasorda passed away on January 7, 2021, in Fullerton, California, from cardiopulmonary arrest. His legacy lives on in the baseball community, where he is remembered as one of the greatest managers in the history of the sport. Fans and players alike continue to celebrate his contributions and the vibrant spirit he brought to the game.
Filmography
Title | Release Date | Character |
---|---|---|
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco | 1996-03-08 | Lucky Lasorda (voice) |
Hanna-Barbera’s 50th | 1989-07-17 | Self |
Americathon | 1979-08-10 | Jimmy Dumphy |
Rickles… On the Loose | 1986-08-23 | Self |
Against the Odds: The Mike Piazza Story | 2016-07-13 | |
WrestleMania II | 1986-04-07 | Ring Announcer |
Ladybugs | 1992-03-27 | Coach Cannoll |
Local Heroes: Baseball on Capital Region Diamonds | 1995-09-25 | Self |
1955, Seven Days of Fall | 2005-10-04 | Self |
Home Base: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum | 2006-10-01 | |
Pitching Man: Satchel Paige Defying Time | 2009-04-29 | Self |
Davi’s Way | 2018-07-13 | Self |
Bob Uecker’s Wacky World of Sports | 1987-01-01 | Self (archive footage) |
All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra | 1983-12-11 | Himself |
Jimmy Kimmel Live! | 2003-01-26 | |
Silver Spoons | 1982-09-25 | |
Everybody Loves Raymond | 1996-09-13 | Tommy Lasorda |
Police Squad! | 1982-03-04 | |
Arliss | 1996-08-10 | |
The Tony Danza Show | 2004-09-13 | Self |
CHiPs | 1977-09-15 | Himself |
Simon & Simon | 1981-11-24 | |
Hart to Hart | 1979-09-22 | |
SportsCentury | 1999-01-21 | |
This Week | 1981-11-15 | |
AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Movies | 1998-06-23 | Self |
Life with Louie | 1994-12-24 | Coach Larry Rockwell (voice) |
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | 1962-10-01 | Self |