Tributes pour in for Dodgers great Lasorda: 'Everyone has a Tommy story'

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetJanuary 08, 2021 - 3:09pm

The MLB Network looks back at some of the most memorable moments of Tommy Lasorda’s life and career, as we mourn the loss of the one of the game’s biggest personalities and greatest enthusiasts, who dies at the age of 93.

Tommy Lasorda loved baseball and he loved life and he experienced both to the fullest.

With news breaking on Friday that the Los Angeles Dodgers legend had passed at the age of 93, people from all walks of life shared stories and tributes on social media.

“Everyone has a Tommy story” more than one person wrote, and a quick scan of social media showed that to be true. Whether it was a chance meeting at the ballpark, or a more personal experience or conversation, Lasorda’s legacy just might be the way he made everyone he met smile a little more.

Here are some of the many tributes pouring in for the late Tommy Lasorda.

I will miss our conversations about the Dodgers & the Lakers. He meant the world to the Dodgers organization, MLB, and to the city of Los Angeles. He will always be known to Dodger Nation as “Mr. Dodger.” Cookie and I are praying for the entire Lasorda family. May he RIP.pic.twitter.com/fu8OIwqSWo

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 8, 2021

Tommy watched me pitch in 2012 rookie ball, Ogden, UT. Afterwards he told me I was going to be a big leaguer. Instantly called my Dad to tell him about it. Going to miss telling Tommy how much that meant to me. RIP to a baseball legend

— Ross Stripling (@RossStripling) January 8, 2021

The great Tommy Lasorda always said, if you don’t root for the Dodgers you may not get into heaven. He’s on his way. Love to the skipper and his wonderful wife Jo. @TommyLasorda pic.twitter.com/fd86pLBHrx

— Tony Danza (@TonyDanza) January 8, 2021

Astros manager Dusty Baker mourns Tommy Lasorda, his former manager with the Dodgers, telling https://t.co/mDPUQE6013: “Tommy was a guy, he loved life, he loved baseball, he loved his family. He used to talk about the ‘Big Blue Dodger in the Sky,’ and now he is with him.”

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) January 8, 2021

Everyone has a Tommy story. He was ever willing to shoot the breeze. Met him at a bookstore in San Francisco, shortly after his 80th. We held up the line talking about the LA-SF rivalry, good Italian eats, and our mutual challenge of bleeding blue within the Orange Curtain. RIP. https://t.co/o3LiYPETwf

— Joydip Basu (@joydawg) January 8, 2021

RIP Tommy Lasorda. Perhaps the only manager in major league history to have a mascot ejected. Fittingly in Montreal, where his career began. During the longest game in Expos history, August 1989. pic.twitter.com/QU4KaSdZr0

— Tom Harrington (@cbctom) January 8, 2021

As they sat watching, Tommy asked my father how old he was. When he told him, Tommy replied, “I have underwear older than you.” RIP Tommy.

— Brett Davidsen (@whec_bdavidsen) January 8, 2021

Had the pleasure of meeting Tommy Lasorda as a kid. He couldn’t have been nicer. RIP to a legend. Rest In Peace, Skip pic.twitter.com/ZhV5oaBdEe

— Ben Verlander (@Verly32) January 8, 2021

“There are two things about Tommy I will always remember. The first is his boundless enthusiasm….

“The other was his determination…."

— Vin Scully statement on passing of Tommy Lasorda pic.twitter.com/DnbBZVmmFK

— Liz Mullen (@SBJLizMullen) January 8, 2021

Tommy is in the conversation of greatest managers. He was an outstanding ambassador for baseball that influenced and entertained fans everywhere. He also was a great leader and championship game strategist. Gone but will never be forgotten! pic.twitter.com/hyGpI2mnRb

— Tony La Russa (@TonyLaRussa) January 8, 2021

Rest In Peace Tommy. One of the most passionate and entertaining people I’ve been around in my life. Tough, tough day.

— Walker Buehler (@buehlersdayoff) January 8, 2021

Tommy Lasorda was the face of the franchise and the soul of this city.

I loved watching him as a kid take our boys in blue to two World Series championships and spending time with him as an adult, sitting with him in his office or visiting with him behind home plate. pic.twitter.com/jGxofqp8i1

— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) January 8, 2021

It’s a good moment to honor Tommy Lasorda as a skilled manager but also as the inspiration for one of the greatest advertising taglines ever created: pic.twitter.com/g5YUX5gMPG

— Keith Phipps (@kphipps3000) January 8, 2021

Always the teacher…#Lasorda pic.twitter.com/GKeRZgkkTj

— Mario Lopez (@mariolopezviva) January 8, 2021

So sad. You were a good man and a good sport. I always had fun giving you a hard time at the ballpark but it was ALWAYS in fun and always with the utmost RESPECT. Rest In Peace Tommy Lasorda. The baseball world won’t be the same without you! pic.twitter.com/LwxiwAAp9g

— Lou Seal (@LouSeal01) January 8, 2021

Spring training 1978. My father had me interview Lasorda for WNBC-TV. Tommy did it–and of course he was great–but he insisted I take off my Arkansas Razorbacks football shirt and wear this instead. Everyone has a Tommy story. pic.twitter.com/hJLi24myvn

— Jeremy Schaap (@JeremySchaap) January 8, 2021

Legendary @Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda has died. He was 93.

In 20 years as the Dodgers manager, he won 2 World Series championships, 4 NL pennants & 8 division titles.

A true ambassador for baseball he insisted he “bled Dodger blue.” Our condolences to his wife Jo & family.

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 8, 2021

When I lived in California, I lived in Tommy Lasorda’s neighborhood. We used to trick or treat at his house. He was impossibly nice the few times I interacted with him. And he led the Dodgers through the only time of my life I was into sports https://t.co/claRjQKN1s

— Bryan Young (@swankmotron) January 8, 2021

#GoodMojo pic is Tommy Lasorda on one of his many appearances with Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. A baseball lifer + World Series champion who never took himself too seriously. #RIPTommy pic.twitter.com/bUNHlUhzS4

— Damon Amendolara (@DAonCBS) January 8, 2021

My heart breaks at the passing of Tommy Lasorda. He was an icon and a giant of a man. He said to me once that he wanted the @Dodgers schedule put on his headstone so that he could be working for the team even when he’s dead. #Dodgers @MLB pic.twitter.com/qycM6uxeAj

— Thom Carter (@thomcarter) January 8, 2021

Tommy Lasorda, this wonderful man, Hall of Famer in baseball and in life, this is him, so much joy. So much love he had for baseball, for the @Dodgers . To win, to love this game, to live and play with joy was his message to us. Rest in peace in Blue Heaven, sir and thank you.pic.twitter.com/45iXnAurYU

— Kenley Jansen (@kenleyjansen74) January 8, 2021

Another sad day for our Hall of Fame family with passing of Tommy Lasorda a Manager I would have loved to have played for RIP Skipper

— Wade Boggs (@ChickenMan3010) January 8, 2021

Sad day for the baseball world. Another great ambassador of the game gone. I never met Mr. Lasorda but I felt like I knew him because of our love for this great game. Thanks for the memories. RIP

— Casey Lawrence (@caseylawrence) January 8, 2021

Bobby Valentine on MLB Network telling one of the countless stories about Tommy. When Lasorda was managing at Triple-A, he had players write letters to the #Dodgers player at their position, telling them they were coming to take their job.

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) January 8, 2021

Sad to hear of the passing of Tommy Lasorda. One of the greatest ambassadors of our game and he will be missed. #RIP #tommyLaSorda

— Bret Boone (@theboone29) January 8, 2021

Very sad to hear about the passing of Tommy Lasorda, one of my childhood baseball icons. I will always be thankful to him for participating in the @MLS "Where Is The Cup?" video series. #MLS #Dodgers #MLB pic.twitter.com/rLF1fnb7RK

— Gabriel Gabor (@MLSGabor) January 8, 2021

RIP Tommy Lasorda! One of the games greatest Icons ever. I really enjoyed our times together. You always told me I couldn’t hit your curveball. Your love for the game was second to none! We will always miss you Big guy! #MrDodger

— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) January 8, 2021

RIP Tommy Lasorda.
I will never forget meeting him at spring training one year when I was first starting out as a reporter. His PR people said I could ask one question — he gave me a full interview. I was so nervous and he was so kind. A true legend. pic.twitter.com/Ls41VdNnCu

— Whitney Harding (@WhitneyNBC4) January 8, 2021

[relatedlinks]

COMMENTS

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.