Tommy Lasorda

October 5, 2009

Name: Thomas Charles Lasorda
Nickname: Tommy
Elected: February 28, 2006
Induction: June 24, 2006
Born (date, year, place): September 22, 1927 in Norristown, Pennsylvania
Died (date, year, place): January 7, 2021 in Fullerton, Los Angeles
Primary Position: Pitcher/Manager
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Years Played: 1945 to 1960
Teams Played: Concord Weavers, Schenectady Blue Jays, Greenville Spinners, Montreal Royals, Brooklyn Dodgers, Kansas City Athletics, Denver Bears and Los Angeles Angels

Best known as the colourful and beloved manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tommy Lasorda spent the bulk of his professional playing career in Canada. Originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies, the fiery southpaw landed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948.

Starting in 1950, Lasorda pitched a record nine seasons with the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate. In 1951, he notched 12 victories – the first of six campaigns in which he registered at least 10 wins for the Royals – and helped the club to a league title. He would trump that season in 1953, when he recorded 17 wins and led the Royals to another championship. After brief major league stops with Brooklyn and Kansas City and a stint in the New York Yankees organization, Lasorda returned to Montreal in 1958 to win 18 games and earn the circuit’s most valuable pitcher honours.

After a final season with the Royals in 1960, Lasorda retired as the all-time franchise leader in wins (107), games pitched (251) and innings pitched (1,461). The ebullient baseball icon would, of course, maintain his association with the Dodgers and eventually serve 21 seasons (1976 to 1996) as field boss with the club. During his reign, Lasorda’s teams captured eight division crowns and two World Series titles. For his efforts, Lasorda was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.

Career Major League Statistics