No two figures are perhaps more synonymous with Los Angeles Dodgers franchise history than Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda and retired broadcaster Vin Scully. Of course, Scully himself was inducted into Hall of Fame as a Ford C. Frick Award winner.
Lasorda spent 71 years with the Dodgers organization as a player, coach, scout, manager, executive or special advisor. Scully’s tenure also dates back to their days in Brooklyn, as he called games for 67 seasons.
Lasorda and Scully shared many a moment together and both are heralded as unrivaled storytellers. As countless tributes have poured in since Lasorda’s passing, one of the latest is a video narrated by Scully that traces Lasorda’s birth to the end of his career with the Dodgers.
In his 20 seasons as Dodgers manager, Lasorda went 1,599-1,439. He guided the team to four National League pennants and two World Series titles. Lasorda ranks second in wins in Dodgers franchise history.
“You give loyalty and you’ll get it back. You give love and you’ll get it back.” pic.twitter.com/gsbfpwIVG1
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 9, 2021
Scully had previously voiced his admiration for Lasorda in a statement, saying, “There are two things about Tommy I will always remember. The first is his boundless enthusiasm. Tommy would get up in the morning full of beans and maintain that as long as he was with anybody else.
“The other was his determination. He was a fellow with limited ability and he pushed himself to be a very good Triple-A pitcher. He never quite had that something extra that makes a major leaguer, but it wasn’t because he didn’t try.
“Those are some of the things: his competitive spirit, his determination, and above all, this boundless energy and self-belief. His heart was bigger than his talent and there were no foul lines for his enthusiasm.”
Roberts honored to join Alston, Lasorda
For as rich of a history as the Dodgers franchise has, only three managers have won a World Series with the team: Walter Alston, Lasorda and Robert.
“I can’t speak for either of those two gentlemen, but it represents an entire organization,” Roberts said of being part of a rare group. “It takes a lot to accomplish that.
“But I think that anytime you can be in the conversation as two Hall of Fame managers, you’ve got to be doing something write. So for me, it’s quite the accomplishment. Now, going forward, I’m just really intent on keeping his legacy alive with how he did things and what he meant to the Dodgers organization.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
