Lasorda Wounded by Media Portrayal

While the Dodgers moved closer to hiring Felipe Alou on Wednesday, former manager Tom Lasorda considered resigning because of reports that his presence is hurting the search process.

Dodger President Bob Graziano and General Manager Kevin Malone traveled to the Dominican Republic on Wednesday to meet with Alou, whom they will offer a multiyear contract today. The Montreal Expo manager is expected to accept the club’s offer, though Dodger sources believe Alou might not decide as quickly as initially anticipated.

In Los Angeles, Lasorda, a senior vice president, said he has been unfairly portrayed in news stories about the Dodgers’ attempts to hire a manager. On Tuesday, sources in Montreal said that Lasorda’s presence might dissuade Alou from joining the organization.

The Dodgers were recently rebuffed by Jim Leyland, who now manages the Colorado Rockies, and Lasorda’s visible role in the organization was reportedly among the factors. Lasorda said he’s dumbfounded and hurt.

“I don’t know where these things are coming from. I don’t know why people are saying these things,” Lasorda said in a phone interview, struggling to remain composed.

“I told my wife this morning that I was thinking about going into work today and resigning, because I’m sick and tired of being blamed for everything. Everything is my fault, but it’s not my fault. I don’t need this because it’s just not true.”

Lasorda, who has worked for the Dodgers for almost 50 years, said he strongly supports Alou, whom he has known for more than 30 years.

“I’ve never had any problems with Felipe Alou, and there’s no reason someone should be saying he has a problem with me,” Lasorda said. “I’ve known Felipe for a long time, and I managed him once [in the Dominican Republic]. I called [Leyland] about that thing about him, and he told me that he doesn’t have any problems with me, and we’ve always been friends. I admire the jobs that both those guys have done.

“People say a lot of things about me, and they like to put things on me, that I have nothing to do with. If Felipe Alou comes to the Dodgers, I will support him any way I can.”

Lasorda soon might have the opportunity to help Alou. Graziano and Malone hope that Alou will accept their offer before they leave his home in Santo Domingo. But because of his long tenure in Montreal, Alou is not expected to make a decision before meeting with Expo officials, who put the team up for sale to local buyers and removed president Claude Brochu on Wednesday. The Expos, however, are still interested in retaining Alou and might be willing to match whatever offer the Dodgers make.

“Tommy is a big part of this organization, and he will continue to be,” Graziano said in an interview before leaving for the Dominican Republic. “Tommy wants us to have a great manager because he wants us to win.”

Lasorda believes he has become a target because of critical comments about him attributed to former manager Bill Russell. Lasorda wants Alou to know that he’s behind him.

“That stuff was out there, and it just keeps getting brought up over and over again, and nobody even cares about the truth,” Lasorda said. “People talk about how I’m involved with all [the baseball operations], all the influence I have. What are they talking about?

“You know who handles all of that? Kevin Malone handles all of that, and all I do is try to help. That’s what I would do for [Alou].”