Tommy Lasorda, the legendary manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has died

by

Lasorda had a sudden cardiopulmonary arrest while at home on Thursday night. Less than an hour later, he was pronounced dead at 10:57 p.m., the team said he said in a statement.

“Considered by many to be the most popular baseball ambassador, Lasorda spent 71 seasons in the Dodger organization, with Dodger Blue running through his veins,” the team said.

Major League Baseball as well issued a statement expressing his grief, saying, “We mourn the passing of Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda.”

Lasorda, who won World Series titles as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981 and 1988, evolved into the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954 and 1955. He took over as manager of Los Angeles in 1976, a position he held for a time. for 20 years, winning two National League Manager of the Year awards along with the two world championships. He also led the team to 1,599 victories during his time as manager and was the first manager in the National League to win two pennants in the first two seasons.

After retiring in 1996, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.

Lasorda was known for his unbridled love for the Dodgers. In a 2013 CNN interview at Dodger Stadium, Lasorda said simply, “I love this place.”

“Sometimes I stay here and I can’t believe it. Blue heaven on earth,” he said. “I used to say, ‘Hey, if you want to get to heaven, you have to go through Dodger Stadium.’

He liked it so much, he said, that he wanted to be buried under the mound of the pitcher – the position he used to play.

“And when a little left-hander there fights, he will hear a voice.” Slow down, son. Focus. You can do it. You have to believe in yourself. “And he’ll look around (and say), ‘Someone’s talking to me! Where? Who’s this guy talking to me?’ And it will be Tom Lasorda, under that pitching mound, “a left pitcher told CNN Hall-of-Famer.

Tributes are pouring in for the man, whose # 2 jersey was withdrawn by the team in 1997.

Dodgers owner and president Mark Walter said: “He was a great ambassador for team and baseball, a mentor for players and coaches, he always had time for an autograph and a story for his many fans, and he was a good friend. . to miss you dearly ”.

Hall of Fame speaker Vin Scully said he would also remember Lasorda’s “boundless enthusiasm” and determination.

“Tommy woke up in the morning full of beans and kept that as long as he was with anyone else,” he said.

Lasorda is survived by his 70-year-old wife, Jo; their daughter, Laura, and niece Emily Tess.

CNN’s Lauren M. Johnson contributed to the report.

.Source