Los Angeles Times Festival of Books: Tommy Lasorda

USC Campus

I got the opportunity to catch Tommy Lasorda in conversation with Bill Dwyre.

Here's the biography write-up in the LA Times: Lasorda is a former MLB pitcher, coach and manager. He is best known for successfully managing the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1976 to 1996, during which time the team won two World Series titles. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, Lasorda is regarded as one of the greatest ambassadors of the sport. His newest book is "Tommy Lasorda: My Way."

Here's my notes (which might contain errors):

Bill Dwyre: Favorite memory of Tommy Lasorda was the 2000 Olympics. He was the team manager. The team was just cobbled together. Everyone figured the team wouldn't do well. He took his players and walked them down in front of reporters and introduced all the players by name. It showed how he cared about people. During a practice session, Dwyre walked into a section where reporters weren't allowed. He ended up in a room where Lasorda was telling his players that they were better than they thought they were. He saw Cy Young winners in the room. Lasorda had them believing. They won the gold medal.

Tommy Lasorda: Olympics was greatest thing that could happen to him. He took 24 guys he had never seen before. He convinced them that they could beat the Cubans. He told Ben Sheets that he was going to pitch his biggest game ever. Sheets asked, "Who are we playing." Lasorda knew he had picked the right guy. During the game, Lasorda was being told that Sheets' pitch count was getting high. He ignored the signals. Though he didn't get a medal as a coach, he got his medal by seeing the medals on his players. He got his medal when he heard the US national anthem.

He wonders why everyone talks about the Miracle on Ice, but no one talks about the Americans beating the Cubans. The Russians had lost before. The Cubans had never lost before.

Orel Hershiser. Orel gave up a home run during his first game. Lasorda told him he was the most negative pitcher he'd ever seen. He told Hershiser he didn't like his first name, Orel. He was going to call him Bulldog. He asked Orel if he'd let someone else take his hand in poker. Orel said no. Lasorda told Orel that bringing in a relief pitcher was like allowing someone to play with his money.

Why do the Dodgers hate the Giants? It goes back to Brooklyn. The Gaints had a a pitcher named The Barber, because he liked to pitch balls that came in as close as a shave. Once, The Barber threw a close pitch. The Dodger at the plate, followed up with a bunt. The Barber knew what that meant and refused to run to first. The second baseman had to run to first. The Dodger player knocked the guy down. A big fight started. Lasorda used to tell players in the minor leagues that Dodgers hate the Giants. He won't even take pictures with people who wear Giants' caps or shirts.

Steve Sax. People wanted Sax out of the lineup, because he couldn't throw to first. How did Lasorda get Sax to stop doing so? How many guys can hit 300, he asked? Not many. How many can throw the ball from second to first? Many. How many women can throw the ball from second to first? Sax didn't have very many issues after that.

Jokes. Lasorda had a pair of blue pants he loved. During the middle of a game, it was pointed out that his pants were up on a flagpole. Once he took a nap. Someone came into the office and changed the clock. When he woke up, the clock was at 8;30 p.m. He thought he was an hour late for the game.

Gibson home run. Gibson was always on the rubbing table. He would always be at the training room. But he just wasn't going to be ready for the World Series. It was the 9th. The Dodgers were trailing. The pitcher was in the 4 spot. Lasorda was told Gibson was in uniform. He could hit, but not play. Lasorda put a player up on deck who everyone knew couldn't hit. The A's walked the Dodger at the plate, because they wanted to pitch against the guy on deck. Then Gibson came up. There was applause. Lasorda got goosebumps. Gibson had two strikes. He never saw Gibson swing. He just saw the ball.

Piazza. Lasorda and Piazza's father grew up together. Piazza was a bat boy. Lasorda got him into Miami as no one wanted to draft him. He didn't play much as a freshman so Lasorda worked out a deal with a community college. Piazza was a first baseman. Dodgers wouldn't draft him. Lasorda ordered them to draft him in the 66th round. Then the Dodgers didn't want to sign him. Piazza even came out to Los Angeles, but the Dodgers still didn't want to sign him. Lasorda convinced them that Piazza could play catcher and so they signed him.

Baseball vs football: Folks can play baseball at any size versus football.