Tommy Lasorda – a legend of the Dodgers and arguably the most famous businessman in MLB history – died, TMZ Sports confirmed.
He was 93 years old.
The Dodgers released a statement on Friday morning … saying Lasorda suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at his California home and was transported to the hospital with ongoing resuscitation.
He was pronounced dead at 10:57 on Thursday night.
As we reported earlier, Lasorda was admitted to a Southern California hospital in mid-November in a “serious condition” … and needed sedation. He was also put a fan.
But, Tommy’s condition has improved in recent weeks … and just a few days ago, he came home.
However, tragically, Lasorda passed away on Thursday.
“Words cannot express my feelings”, legendary manager Bobby Valentine said on Twitter. “A 52-year-old friend and mentor is no longer with us. Tommy, no one will ever fill the void you left. Thanks for everything. RIP”
Lasorda was included in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. He took LA to the World Series titles in 1981 and 1988.
Lasorda also won the Manager of the Year award twice in 1983 and 1988.
“In a franchise that celebrated these great legends of the game, no one who wore the uniform embodies the spirit of the Dodgers as much as Tommy Lasorda,” president of the Dodgers Stan Kasten said.
“A tireless spokesman for baseball, his dedication to the sport and the team he loved was unmatched.”
OCTOBER 2018
TMZSports.com
Kasten continued, “The Dodgers and their fans are going to miss him a lot. Tommy is just irreplaceable and unforgettable.”
Lasorda wasn’t just big business on the baseball field … he became an incredibly popular pitcher in the 90s – starring in commercials for brands like Slim Fast.
REST IN PEACE.