From major news sources and professional all-stars to everyday fans and Dodger loyalists, just about everyone is adding their voice to remember the one and only Tommy Lasorda.
Peruse the posts below, and read a special tribute by Ron Onesti, President of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
Tommy Lasorda, Hall of Fame manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has passed away at the age of 93. He led the Dodgers to two World Series championships and four pennants during his career. Lasorda’s lasting legacy will be one of charisma, passion, and success. pic.twitter.com/bkkIRawfo6
— HISTORY (@HISTORY) 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
Hall of Fame Dodgers Manager, LA icon, and my great friend Tommy Lasorda passed away late last night. For the last 8 years I’ve sat next to Tommy at every Dodgers game and he taught me invaluable lessons on the strategy and history of baseball. pic.twitter.com/6RxmoQ7Che
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 8, 2021
"We laugh and we cry and we mourn today, the passing of the man who represented the Dodgers more than anyone in Dodger history," says @BillPlaschke
"Tommy Lasorda was the Dodgers."
Tommy Lasorda, the legendary Dodgers manager, has died. He was 93. https://t.co/Zwk99ijFXL pic.twitter.com/LOeKJaWfZT
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 8, 2021
We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Tommy Lasorda.
Our thoughts are with his family during this time. pic.twitter.com/Tfwx1rDaga
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) January 8, 2021
"He was there [at the World Series] in Texas… That's one of my proudest moments, that we got to fulfill one of his dreams."@Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts reflects on his friendship with Tommy Lasorda. pic.twitter.com/RWk3WWUOSz
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 8, 2021
Condolences to former Los Angeles @Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda's family ⚾ pic.twitter.com/kiGhYW4U8t
— Frank Sinatra (@franksinatra) January 8, 2021
We are saddened to hear of the passing of @Dodgers legend and Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda. Tommy was one of baseball’s greatest ambassadors and truly loved the game and the people in it. https://t.co/IrgVk7lgh3
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) January 8, 2021
Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda has died at the age of 93, the Dodgers announced Friday. https://t.co/OFego3Otm3 pic.twitter.com/opHJPJqJO9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 8, 2021
So proud to have known this #ItalianAmericanIcon
Rest In Peace, my friend…@TommyLasorda 🙏⚾️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/qDbAIZEM3c— Joe Piscopo (@JrzyJoePiscopo) January 8, 2021
Nobody loved the Dodgers more than Tommy Lasorda. He's going to have the best tombstone out there. pic.twitter.com/jKAMnMrm7k
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) January 8, 2021
Another true icon gone, Tommy Lasorda
Tommy Lasorda, the colorful former manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers and perpetual ambassador for the game of baseball, has passed. He was 93.
The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame was his home in Chicago, and Tommy was the Hall’s most ardent supporter.
“I don’t believe he missed one annual Induction Gala since the Hall’s inception in 1977,” said Ron Onesti, President of the NIASHF. “Our former President and Founder, George Randazzo, and he were like brothers. As I would produce the Gala every year, part of my own personal entertainment would be to watch the interaction between the two. Tommy would be so entertaining, always with jokes at the podium. The funny thing was that he really had only a few ‘zingers’ he would use, so before each gala, he would ask me which joke he used the year prior.”
The Hall of Fame had its Annual Tommy Lasorda Golf Tournament this past summer. Due to COVID, Tommy had to say home, but he sent a wonderful video thanking all for their continued support.
“Every time we would call, Tommy came to our aid. Just a few weeks ago, I called him to talk about race relations during the time of Jackie Robinson,” Onesti said. “To the players, Jackie was a great man, not only for his ability in baseball, but also for his courage to stand for his people. I always admired that about him,” Tommy said.
“Tommy defined the term, ‘Larger than life’,” Onesti said. “He was bigger than baseball, bigger than sorts, bigger than show biz. He was EVERYBODY’S Uncle Tommy. The red, white and green of his Italian heritage flowed through his veins. My favorite part of our gala was the final so-long of his speech.”
“…and as lay your head on the pillow each night, I would like you to ask God to bless Tommy and the Dodgers,” he would say.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and Italian Americans everywhere, we pledge to Tommy Lasorda to continue to do that.
Make the pledge and become a member of Italian Sons and Daughters of America today.
