Dodgers great contributes to Costa Mesa school

If Tommy Lasorda’s wine ever becomes a worldwide favorite, Kline School parents Todd and Susan Good can say that they had the first sip in Southern California.

Lasorda, the former L.A. Dodgers manager and the friend of a Kline parent, donated a number of items to the Costa Mesa private school’s fundraising auction Friday evening. One of those was an autographed bottle of Lasorda red wine — which the Goods won for $500.

“Absolutely, we’re going to drink it,” said Susan Good, who added that she and her husband would hold on to the bottle.

Kline School, which opened 22 years ago, holds an annual fundraiser in the spring and diverts much of the money to scholarships for needy students.

Lasorda often speaks to youth groups and said he encourages kids to be lifelong learners. “When I tell them that, they remember it the rest of their lives,” he said. “I check with them. They remember.”

— Michael Miller