Pitching In at Lasorda Benefit : Memorial fund for son of L.A. Dodgers manager will finance recreational center at Yorba Linda Friends Church.

Not only was Larry King live, he was in person at the recent “Old Fashioned Italian Family Dinner” at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

Talk-show wiz that he is, King was able to set a cheerful tone at one of the most emotional gatherings ever to hit a social scene: the premiere benefit for the Tommy Lasorda Jr. Memorial Fund. (“Spunky,” the 33-year-old son of Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manager Tommy Lasorda of Fullerton, died in 1991.)

Appearing on a stage set with two huge photographs of Spunky as a grinning toddler, King warmed up the 800 guests--who included baseball legends Roy Campanella, Orel Hershiser, Darryl Strawberry and Steve Garvey--with a joke: “Our special guest tonight is Ross Perot. We have to be out of here by 10 because his volunteers are going to have a meeting.”

And then: “I am here tonight on behalf of two great people--Tommy and Jo Lasorda--who have never been afraid to dream.”

The dream is a full-service recreational center on the grounds of the Yorba Linda Friends Church, a.k.a. the Church on the Hill.

Explained Jo Lasorda: “One day at church, our pastor John Werhas was talking about the people who only come to church on Sunday.

“He told us he needed more--a choir director, a Sunday school teacher. I sat there thinking: ‘I can’t do that. I can’t do that .’

“And then he said he needed to raise funds for a gymnasium. That was it! That was something I could do. I volunteered to help and Pastor John gave me the job of raising money for what will be the Tommy Lasorda Jr. Memorial Recreational Facility.”

Werhas, an ex-Dodger, officiated at her son’s funeral, Jo Lasorda said, choking up. “Our son would have loved that this (fund-raising effort) was happening. He wasn’t a sports figure but he loved his father’s occupation. He went along with us wherever we went.”

After guests dined on antipasto salad, chicken and pasta topped with Tommy Lasorda’s own sauce recipe, King introduced VIPs who, microphone in hand, made tributes to the Lasorda family.

Said Hershiser: “I have received many sermons on the mound from Tommy Lasorda. Tommy and Jo have both helped me up, given me the opportunity to pitch in Dodger blue. I appreciate that. I remember Spunky as a man with a great mix of style and sensitivity.”

Said Garvey: “Tonight is a wonderful celebration of a young man and his wonderful family. It is an honor for us all to be here.”

Said sports announcer Vin Scully: “I stand here as an Irishman, so I’m going to give you an Irish toast: ‘May those who love us, love us ; and those who don’t--may God turn their hearts and if he doesn’t , may he turn their ankles so we will know them by their limping.’ ”

The evening’s entertainment included performances by comedian Norm Crosby (“The food here reminds me of Tommy’s old restaurant before it was condemned”), comic impressionist Fred Travalena (who deadpanned that “Perot had a charisma bypass,” before he dropped to his knees to imitate him) and singer Pia Zadora.

During the VIP reception in the hotel’s Palm Court Room, guests schmoozed with the Lasordas, the aforementioned baseball greats and Michael Milken, the former junk-bond king who was released from prison in January.

Standing on the sidelines, a dapper-looking King eyeballed Milken, saying he was “a nice man, a good friend of Tommy Lasorda’s. I’m going to have lunch with him soon.”

Other faces in the crowd at the $250-per-person event: the Lasordas’ daughter, Laura; actor Joseph Mantegna; comedian Joe Piscopo (who, during his tribute to the Lasordas, doffed his dress jacket and donned a Dodger jacket and cap); Robert Loggia; Ray Liotta; Peter O’Malley and Monty Hall.

“I never dreamed this could happen,” said Tommy Lasorda, wide-eyed as he scanned the packed ballroom. “This is the greatest moment . . . so many people here to pay tribute to a cause so precious. I am so proud of my friends.”

Also among guests were Ray and Robbie Perry of Orange Park Acres.

“Why couldn’t an event like this be held in Orange County?” Robbie wanted to know.

Someday, Jo Lasorda promises. Someday.