Tommy Lasorda
From SoSH
Tommy Lasorda
| Born: | September 22, 1927 |
| Birthplace: | Norristown, Pennsylvania |
| Height: | 5' 10" |
| Weight: | 175 lbs |
| Bats: | Left |
| Throws: | Left |
| Drafted: | 1945 Amateur Free Agent by the Philadelphia Phillies |
| College: | None |
| High School: | Commerce High School (OK) |
| Teams: | Brooklyn Dodgers 1954 - 1955 Kansas City A's 1956 |
| Managed: | Los Angeles Dodgers 1976 - 1996 |
Contents |
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Overall Career
Thomas Charles "Tommy" Lasorda (born September 22, 1927, in Norristown, PA), after a brief career as a left-handed pitcher, became one of the most enthusiastic and successful managers in baseball history. Known for his fondness of pasta and pitching, the jovial Lasorda led the Dodgers to eight division titles and two World Championships in 21 seasons as manager. After his retirement, he became a Dodgers executive, and his association with the club has spanned seven decades. He also managed the United States to its first-ever gold medal in baseball at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
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Awards
- Elected to Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee in 1997, Manager
- 1958 Pitcher of the Year International League Montreal Royals
- Manager of the Year (1983 & 1988)
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Achievements
- Division Championships: 8 (1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1994 & 1995)
- NL Pennants: 4 (1977, 1978, 1981 & 1988)
- World Series Champions: 2 (1981 & 1988)
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Trivia
- May 31, 1948, as a minor league pitcher with the Schenectady Blue Jays, Tommy Lasorda set a Canadian-American League record by striking out 25 batters in a 15-inning game
- Although he did not play, Lasorda won a World Series Ring with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955
- The only manager in baseball history to win a World Series (1981, 1988) and an Olympic gold medal (2000).
- He was a close friend of the father of Mike Piazza. He drafted Piazza as a favor to his dad.
- Was interim General Manager of the Dodgers in 1998
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Transactions
- Before 1945 Season: Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent.
- November 24, 1948: Drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1948 minor league draft.
- March 2, 1956: Purchased by the Kansas City Athletics from the Brooklyn Dodgers.
- July 11, 1956: Traded by the Kansas City Athletics to the New York Yankees for Wally Burnette.
- May 26, 1957: Purchased by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the New York Yankees.
- July 9, 1960: Released by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Managerial Record
- Tommy Lasorda: Hall of Fame Page
