Lasorda Selected UPI’s NL Manager of Year

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda continued to receive honors Monday when he was named National League manager of the year by United Press International.

Lasorda, who won the same honor last week from the Baseball Writers Assn. of America, received 16 votes from a panel of UPI baseball correspondents. Jim Leyland of the Pittsburgh Pirates was second with 6 votes. Also receiving votes were Davey Johnson of the New York Mets and Jack McKeon of the San Diego Padres.

“As soon as I talk about what I did to get this team here, I take credit away from my ballplayers,” Lasorda said. “I never got a base hit, I never struck anyone out, I never stole a base. All I did was keep the team in the right frame of mind to execute day in and day out--keep them proud of themselves, proud of their uniforms, proud of their organization and keep them believing in themselves.”

Lasorda, 61, was UPI’s NL Manager of the Year in 1977 when, in his first season as manager, the Dodgers won the pennant. He has managed the Dodgers 12 years, winning 6 division titles, 4 pennants and 2 World Series.