January 8th, 2021 at 10:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka * * *
Editor’s Note:
The following is a re-print – verbatim – from longtime Dodgers beat writer Ken Gurnick, who recently announced his retirement. It is fitting that he be the one to prepare this piece for the Dodgers website.
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Tommy Lasorda, the son of Italian immigrants and a professional pitcher who became a legendary Dodgers manager, global baseball ambassador, and national treasure, died on Thursday. He was 93.
Commissioner Rob Manfred issued the following statement:
“Tommy Lasorda was one of the finest managers our game has ever known. He loved life as a Dodger. His career began as a pitcher in 1949 but he is, of course, best known as the manager of two World Series champions and four pennant-winning clubs. His passion, success, charisma and sense of humor turned him into an international celebrity, a stature that he used to grow our sport. Tommy welcomed Dodger players from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Japan, South Korea and elsewhere — making baseball a stronger, more diverse and better game. He served Major League Baseball as the Global Ambassador for the first two editions of the World Baseball Classic and managed Team USA to gold in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Tommy loved family, the United States, the National Pastime and the Dodgers, and he made them all proud during a memorable baseball life.
“I am extremely fortunate to have developed a wonderful friendship with Tommy and will miss him. It feels appropriate that in his final months, he saw his beloved Dodgers win the World Series for the first time since his 1988 team. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest sympathy to his wife of 70 years, Jo, and their entire family, the Dodger organization and their generations of loyal fans.”
In three seasons as a Major League pitcher, Lasorda went 0-4 and reminded nobody of Sandy Koufax, who replaced him on the Brooklyn roster. But as the Dodgers manager for two decades, Lasorda crafted a body of work that earned him a place alongside Koufax in baseball’s Hall of Fame. Before his death, Lasorda was the oldest living Hall of Famer, a distinction that now passes to Willie Mays, 89.
He died after serving in his 71st season with the Dodgers, an extraordinary display of loyalty. He spent the last two decades as a special advisor to the chairman (currently Mark Walter), having been rescued by previous chairman Frank McCourt from an exile imposed when News Corp. bought the club from Peter O’Malley and his sister, Terry Seidler.
“My family, my partners and I were blessed to have spent a lot of time with Tommy,” said Walter in a statement. “He was a great ambassador for the team and baseball, a mentor to players and coaches, he always had time for an autograph and a story for his many fans and he was a good friend. He will be dearly missed.”
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The entire staff at ThinkBlueLA.com sends our sincerest thoughts and prayers to Tommy’s family, friends, and colleagues.
We lost a great one.
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Posted in 
@Dodgers RIP Tommy. I’m so sad. He was such a colorful representation of the Dodgers and baseball itself.
Tommy is gone. I am saddened for his family and their loss, but yet, I am also slightly relieved for the man, a “wearing-his-heart-on-his-sleeve” patriot, who won’t be around to witness what is unfolding before our eyes.
The “Great Dodger in the Sky” is proudly welcoming Tommy home. Rest in peace. His legacy will continue on and will become part of the fabric which defines the Dodger organization for decades to come.
@Dodgers ☹☹☹
It’s hard to find the words of how I truly feel. As a Dodger fan, Tommy has to be one of the most important personalities the team has ever had. I’ll miss him a lot. Condolences to his wife Jo and everyone else he has been associated with.
Tommy thanks for all the.memories.
I’m so glad that you were the Dodger manager all those great years. Condolences to your family and closest friends.God bless you.
Just heard the news! The end of an era. I feel very, very sad. I have fond memories of meeting him during spring training 2013 and seeing a clip of him in the Dodger clubhouse after the Dodgers won the ’88th World Series shouting that teams battle cry, which was “what a f g team.”
Just heard the news! The end of an era. I feel very, very sad. I have fond memories of meeting him during spring training 2013 and seeing a clip of him in the Dodger clubhouse after the Dodgers won the ’88th World Series shouting that teams battle cry, which was “what a f g team.”
Will! What up?
Who could ever forget, “HOW SWEET IT IS; THE FRUITS OF VICTORY!!”
Tommy was the first manager of memory for me. I’m 55 and his teams were my era as a young man. He is hands down the most influential Dodger personality of my lifetime. Over my 55 years Tommy has taught me different aspects of life as I have matured and continue to so, just by the way he went about his own maturities in life.
.
I’ve never met Tommy in person, but with my passion for the Dodgers…I will forever think of him as an elderly best friend.
Can you name a better ambassador in all if baseball…This morning my first thought when I stumbled upon this news, was that Tommy helped a lot of folks in his time…and how I could use that thought to better whats left of my life.
The Big Dodger in the Sky called home one of his best…
Normally we raise a glass to honor the dearly departed. In honor of Tommy I had a plate of spaghetti. RIP.