Lasorda Has More Surgery

Tom Lasorda, who retired as Dodger manager last July after undergoing an angioplasty following a heart attack, had a repeat angioplasty Friday night at Centinela Hospital Medical Center to reopen an artery that had closed.

Lasorda, 68, who was admitted to the hospital after experiencing chest pains, was reportedly in excellent condition with no heart damage, according to a statement released by the Dodgers.

The news caught the Dodgers, who play the Atlanta Braves today in Game 3 of the National League division playoffs, off guard.

Dodger Manager Bill Russell was awakened by a reporter at 12:30 a.m. (EDT) with the news.

“I don’t know what to tell you right now,” Russell said. “I’m glad he’s OK, maybe I’ll have some comment tomorrow.”

Team spokesman Derrick Hall said it wasn’t an emergency procedure.

“He’s been having chest pains for several days and Dr. [Michael] Mellman asked him to come in for tests,” Hall said. “And they examined him and saw that the artery had closed. They said it’s quite common for it to close again.

“He didn’t have another heart attack and they said there was no heart damage.”

Hall said that Lasorda, who was forced to cancel a weekend trip to the Arizona Instructional League, is expected to be released Sunday or Monday.

Although there were reports that Lasorda was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, Centinela Hospital Medical Center spokeswoman Sherry Reese said Lasorda was scheduled to be examined Friday morning.

“He did have minor chest pains, but he’d scheduled an appointment, he didn’t rush in,” she said. “They did a repeat coronary angioplasty to reopen an artery that was previously closed.

“They were monitoring him for that because it’s a likely possibility, according to the doctor. They don’t anticipate further problems.”

After Mellman discovered that the artery had closed, Dr. Anthony Reid performed the surgery.

Lasorda first entered the hospital June 24 complaining of abdominal pains. However, tests revealed that he had suffered a mild heart attack and the angioplasty was performed two days later.

Lasorda announced his resignation after 20 years on July 29 and was named a vice president of the team.