Lasorda Has Made Lasting Impression

Tom Lasorda is a survivor.

Love him or hate him--indifference doesn’t come to mind--one has to concede that much about the Dodger icon. Lasorda remains a comeback kid at 72, defying odds throughout his 50-year run promoting Dodger baseball.

From Brooklyn to Chavez Ravine, Lasorda has confounded friends and foes alike with his staying power.

He is one of only a few members from the old regime still remaining after several organizational purges under Fox. President Bob Graziano was ousted Tuesday, and more Fox-mandated terminations are expected soon.

But Fox officials won’t mess with Lasorda. They know the changes they have made so far that have alienated fans might pale in comparison to the reaction from getting rid of Lasorda.

As Lasorda celebrates his golden anniversary with the organization, it’s fitting that the Dodgers will be the last visiting team at the stadium formerly known as Candlestick Park. Giant fans reveled in taunting the former manager, but he kept coming back for more.

After all, comebacks are Lasorda’s specialty.

“Someone once asked me, ‘What’s your greatest accomplishment in baseball?’ ” said Lasorda, who has said his greatest personal accomplishment is his 49-year marriage to his wife, Jo. “The guy reminded me that I managed the Dodgers for 20 years, managed two World Series champions [1981, ‘88], had nine rookies of the year and was elected to the Hall of Fame [in 1997].

“He figured I would say one of them because that’s what most people would say. But my greatest accomplishment had nothing to do with any of that.

“My greatest accomplishment was that I reported to Vero Beach, Florida, in 1949 as an aspiring young left-hander with a lot of desire, a lot of hope and a lot of dreams. We had 26 farm teams in that camp, there were 780 players under contract and 50 free agents trying to win jobs. So there were 830 players in uniform, 26 managers, the coaches, the scouts, the instructors, the general manager, the president and the owner.

“And guess what--I outlasted them all, every one of them. Everyone that was in that camp in 1949 is no longer with the Dodgers. I’m the only guy left. I feel good about that because 50 years with an organization is quite an accomplishment. That’s what I’m the most proud of.”

Of all the people in that camp, Lasorda acknowledges he was not the one most figured would have lasted so long. Himself included.

His determination more than his talent as a pitcher helped him distinguish himself in the Dodger farm system. He played briefly in Brooklyn (1954-55) and with the then-Kansas City Athletics (1956) before retiring in the Dodger system after 16 seasons in the minors.

Lasorda was hired as a scout and moved steadily up the organizational ladder. He now serves as the senior vice president, advising General Manager Kevin Malone and Bill Geivett, assistant general manager.

But Lasorda remains best known for his two decades as the Dodger field leader, an era Dodger fans remember as the best of times.

“When I became the manager of the Dodgers, I brought a whole new philosophy of managing,” Lasorda said. “I hugged my players, I talked about the Big Dodger in the sky, I talked about Dodger Blue and I talked about Dodger Stadium being Blue Heaven. I wanted my players to be proud of the organization and I wanted them to be proud of the uniform they were wearing.

“I used to tell them time and time again to, every once in a while, look up into the stands and say thank you to the fans. If it weren’t for those people, we wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing. You have to show your appreciation.”

Commitment to winning and pleasing fans topped Lasorda’s agenda, he said.

“I was the first guy to make the players come out of the dugout and bullpen to wave to the fans in thanks after the attendance for the year was announced,” Lasorda said. “So I not only thought about the players, I thought about the fans too. I did that because I wanted them to come here and enjoy themselves. I wanted them to see winning baseball and players playing hard.

“I wanted that guy who worked hard all week, the guy trying to raise a family and earn a living, to come to the ballpark and feel like he was part of something good after paying his hard-earned money. I wanted him to feel like those guys were playing their hearts out for him. I wanted him to feel they were giving it all they had. That’s what I wanted and that’s what I got.”

Lasorda said he feels that he was cast aside during the final years of former general manager Fred Claire’s reign. He remained with the organization but in a ceremonial role.

Then Fox took over and Graziano leaned on Lasorda during the transition. Graziano fired Claire and former manager Bill Russell last season, and Lasorda reemerged in the powerful role of interim general manager.

He was involved in several major decisions, including helping Graziano select Malone. These days, Lasorda spends most of his time working with Geivett, who runs the farm system. He also counsels Malone on key issues.

“Tommy has been a great friend to me and Billy,” Malone said. “He’s definitely been on our side from the moment we arrived, and we’ve tried to take advantage of everything Tommy has to offer. No matter what we’ve needed, Tommy has been there to help.

“He has more energy and enthusiasm than people half his age, and he’s a tireless worker. When someone like that is part of your organization, with his knowledge about the game, you have to put him to work for you. Tommy is part of the Dodgers’ past, but he’s also a big part of our future.”

Lasorda is determined to help put the Dodgers back on top.

“I love what I’m doing now,” Lasorda said. “You know, a lot of people seem to think that I’m unhappy because I’m no longer the manager, but they don’t know what they’re talking about. What I want to do is everything within my power to make the Dodgers the premier organization again. If everyone feels that way, then we’re going to make it happen.

“What we need in this organization right now is togetherness, we need spirit and everyone doing they best they can. If we can do that we’re going to get this thing turned around and make this a better organization. We can make this better than it ever was.”

Tom Lasorda With Dodgers

Positions held by Tom Lasorda during his 50 years with the Dodgers:

* 1949-60: Minor league pitcher (had brief major league stints with Dodgers in 1954, 1955 and with Kansas City Athletics in 1956)

* 1961-65: Dodger scout

* 1966--1972: Dodger minor league manager

* 1973-1975: Dodger coach

* 1976-1996: Dodger manager

* 1997: Dodger vice president, interim Dodger general manager

* 1998-99: Dodger senior vice president