Dodgers: Zach McKinstry Shares a Favorite Tommy Lasorda Memory

The doors of Dodger Stadium are back open and fans are back in the stands, but in 2021 there’s a sizable void at the ballpark. Tommy’s missing. The Hall of Fame Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda passed away this past January after battling failing health for a few years. Still, even with him gone, Tommy’s presence is all around the stadium at Blue Heaven on Earth.

On Friday during the team’s World Series ring ceremony, Lasorda was honored nicely as his daughter Laura was part of the presentation. But on Saturday, is was Lasorda night at Dodger Stadium.

Fans were serenaded by Tommy’s rendition of “My Way” by Frank Sinatra before LA’s 9-5 victory over the Nationals. After the game, Dodger rookie utility man Zach McKinstry was asked if he had any Lasorda stories to share.

Of course Tommy would make sure he did.

I was in the locker room in the minor league clubhouse in 2019, just standing around and he kind of wandered into the locker room and was just telling us stories about when he started playing baseball. Him pitching then going and playing defense and pitching the next day. It was really cool to hear him talk and just kind of relive those days… it was really cool to hear some of his stories.

If you knew Tommy at all as a Dodger fan, you know he comes with stories. Often times the same stories, as the players might point out. But he always found a way to share his time with players all throughout the organization. Even into his 90s, he made his way out to Camelback Ranch for spring training and the chance to impart some form of knowledge or share the good word of the Dodgers to young LA prospects.

Remembering Tommy Lasorda | Dodgers Production

Dodger Stadium misses you, Tommy!

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