Colin Gunderson - Tommy Lasorda: My Way

Dreams are often thought impossible to reach. When my wife, Silvie, married me, she fulfilled one of my dreams. When she gave birth to our son, Vincent, she fulfilled another one of my dreams. Because of her patience, belief, support, and love throughout the process of writing this book, she has fulfilled another one of my dreams. Thank you, Mahal. To you, I dedicate this book.

Contents

Foreword by Joe Torre

In June of 1995, the St. Louis Cardinalsthe team I played for from 1969 to 1974 and a club I had managed since 1990told me that they were bringing another manager on board. From a professional standpoint, it was a tough time. I loved the city of St. Louis and the fans. I also wondered whether Id ever get another chance to manage in the major leagues. It felt like I was at a crossroads in my career.

One of the first people to call me up was Tommy Lasorda. Dont worry about it, he bellowed. This is a blessing in disguise. Im not sure that I believed him, but I appreciated the encouragement. He also told me something that his father had told him many years ago: If youre so concerned with the door that just closed behind you, youll never see the door that will open in front of you.

Months later, I got the surprise of a lifetime when the New York Yankees called in pursuit of a general manager. Soon enough, their focus shifted, and George Steinbrenner made me his manager. Tommys words from his father proved prophetica new door opened, and it presented the best opportunity of my career. At the age of 55, I had a chance to implement my philosophy with a team capable of winning the World Series.

My first year with the Yankees turned out to be the final season in the dugout for Tommy Lasorda, who had an incredible 21-year run as the manager of the Dodgers. Id always respected Tommy as a fellow National League manager, especially because we believed in many of the same attributes that managing required: communication, trust, teaching, and motivation. But his phone callat a time in my career when I needed a jolt of energywas very meaningful to me, and it was an act that further heightened my regard for him.

Our paths continued to cross over the years. Before Game 3 of the 2000 World Series, Tommy and his Olympic gold medalwinning Team USA had the ceremonial first pitch honors. Before the start of the game against the crosstown-rival Mets, Tommy said helloand pointed out that Bobby Valentine and Mike Piazza, both of whom were in the opposite dugout, were two of his favorite people. Tommys reminderprior to such a big game for usmade me laugh, but I admired his loyalty to his dear friends.

Tommy and I have much in common. We both appreciate fine Italian food, and we share many favorite restaurants. We have both been honored at the Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards. Many years ago in my native Brooklyn, there was a field dedicated in my honor. During the ceremony, I looked up and saw Tommy out in the crowd. He was in town for a Dodgers series against the Mets. I was touched that he took the time to be there. I can relate to the many people who have experienced Tommys kindness.

When I became the Dodgers manager before the 2008 season, it was an honor to fill the chair once held by Tommy and his predecessor, fellow Hall of Famer Walter Alston. I was fortunate to follow in their footsteps in the summer of 2014, when I joined that great tandem as a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. After the ceremony, Tommy gave me the patented Lasorda hug and told me that my life would never be the same. Standing among the ranks of Tommy and all the Hall of Famers in Cooperstown was an extraordinary experience.

I was a rare Giants fan in Brooklyn as a kid, but Tommy Lasorda played a huge part in helping me understand why Dodger blue is so special. After reading this book, I believe you will understand why Tommy has been such a tremendous goodwill ambassador for Major League Baseball, throughout a lifetime of service to his beloved Dodgers and our national pastime as a whole.

Joe Torre

Introduction

It was my first year working as Tommy Lasordas assistant. We were sitting in Booth 6 in the Vin Scully Press Box at beautiful Dodger Stadium, the House That Walter Built and Tommy nicknamed. As we peered down at some of the greenest grass known to man, Tommy told me something fans have heard him say millions of times over the years: Dodger Stadium is Blue Heaven on Earth. If you want to get to heaven, you have to go through Dodger Stadium first.

It was his booth, just a few boxes over from where Vin Scullybaseballs poet laureate, the Voice of Summerhas enlightened and entertained fans for decades and next to Jaime Jarrins perch, who did the same en Espaol . To the left of his booth was the owners box, where Walter OMalley and his son, Peter, would host the Dodger Nation, entertaining guests and fans alike with the utmost respect and consideration.

Tommy and I would sit there to watch his beloved Dodgers play. He would survey the field and its players like Grant surveyed Richmond and Gettysburg. I would look at his face and see the memories roaring past his eyes, a lifetime serving the game he loved, the fans who loved his team, and his players whom he loved like sons. I would imagine him remembering sitting in the top deck as a scout in the 1963 World Series against the Yankees, telling his wife that one day he would be managing the Dodgers in the World Series. She thought I was crazy, but 14 years later I was sitting in that dugout managing the Dodgers in the 1977 World Series against the Yankees, he would say, echoing the same determination that helped him accomplish that feat.

I would imagine him remembering his paisan , Frank Sinatra, singing The Star Spangled Banner on Opening Day in 77, Tommys first as manager. He promised me that when I became manager he would sing the anthem, and by golly he did, Tommy would say, his prideful eyes mirroring the blue of Sinatras.

I would imagine him remembering Dusty Baker hitting a home run in the final game of the 77 regular season, his 30 th , putting the Dodgers in the history books. If you think back through the history of baseball about all those great Yankee teams and sluggers, that we were the first team to have four players hit 30 or more in one season Tommy would say, trailing off with the same amazement he had watching Bakers ball sail over the wall.

I would imagine him remembering Bob Welch face Reggie Jackson in the 78 World Series in a nine-pitch at-bat that ended when Welch, the rookie, struck out Reggie, the slugger. That was by far the greatest duel Ive ever witnessed.

I would imagine him remembering being a coach in the 1980 Midsummer Classic, the only All-Star Game ever held at Dodger Stadium. The National League had an eight-game winning streak going and there was no way I was going to let that go under our watch, he would say with the same aggression he carried into every game he managed.

Giving the ball to an unknown pitcher from Mexico on Opening Day in 81 and sparking Fernandomania. The first word he learned in English was million , Tommy would say of Valenzuela, with a hearty chuckle.

Jerry Reuss outdueling Nolan Ryan in the 81 division series. Jerry pitched an outstanding game. It was a tremendous game.

Steve Garvey playing his 1,000 th consecutive game. I dont commend hard work. I expect it.

Beating the Yankees in the 1981 World Series after losing to them in 77 and 78. For three years I would lay my head on the pillow and pray to God and say, Dear Lord, if you see it clear to let the Dodgers play in another World Series, please, let it be against the Yankees.