Former Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda Dies

Above, former Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda.

This year is sure starting out lousy.

From the Los Angeles Times:

Tom Lasorda, who in 20 years as the Dodgers manager won two World Series championships, four National League pennants and eight division titles and always insisted that he bled Dodger blue out of loyalty to the organization, has died at age 93.  

The vibrant and voluble Lasorda spent 71 seasons with the Dodgers and was among the few remaining links to the club’s Brooklyn roots. In and out of the hospital in recent years for heart, back and shoulder problems, Lasorda died of a heart attack Thursday night, according to the Dodgers.

I met Lasorda once. I was with a wheelchair-bound friend waiting for the elevator at Dodger Stadium to get to the level where our seats were when the door opened. Inside, was Tom Lasorda. We all shook hands and rode the elevator together.

R.I.P.

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