The Business Journal salutes seven octogenarians and one nonagenarian for whom age is just a number.
TOMMY LASORDA, 82
Special Adviser to the Chairman, Los Angeles Dodgers
It only seems like Tommy Lasorda has been working all these decades for the city’s beloved Dodgers. But he hasn’t been working at all, as he sees it.
“There’s a saying in this country, that any man or woman who truly loves what they are doing has never worked a day in their lives,” Lasorda said. “I love what I do. I can honestly say I was never burned out.”
When he’s not working at the Dodgers’ headquarters, he’s often on the road, promoting the team and making public appearances at charity and baseball industry events. Or he’s even out promoting his wine.
“Guys who are 82 years old are usually retired, in a home or under the ground,” Lasorda said. “But I can travel the country, and the world, spreading the word ‘Dodgers.’ I feel no effects of my age.”
A native of Norristown, Pa., Lasorda made his major league debut in August 1954 as a pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He’s best known for his tenure as the team’s manager from 1976 until 1996. He became vice president and senior vice president, and is now special adviser to the chairman.
Just last year, he managed the Dodgers’ players in Florida who were left behind when the rest of the team went to China for exhibition games.
“I appreciate the opportunity the Dodgers have given me,” he said. “And after 60 years with the Dodgers I love it as much as ever.”
Lasorda scouts, evaluates and mentors minor league players; acts as an adviser and ambassador for the Dodgers’ international affiliations; and each year represents the franchise at more than 100 speaking engagements and appearances at various charities, groups and military gatherings.
And he’s keeping up with the times: Although he used to joke about not knowing how to use a cell phone, he now keeps his tech-savvy fans up to date on his blog, Tommy.MLBlogs.com, and his Twitter account.
And then there’s the wine business. Lasorda Wines imports and distributes Italian wines. Bottles retail for $14 to $28. Although it’s not a full-time job, he is involved in the operation. For example, he attends wine signings, most recently in Philadelphia earlier this month, where he also was inducted in the state’s Sports Hall of Fame.
As if he needs more, he’s also a spokesperson for the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation and the American Heart Association.
He lives with his wife of 59 years, Jo, in Fullerton. She has learned to accept his constant activity and doesn’t ask him to slow down.
“She always says that if I’m happy, everybody’s happy,” he said, adding that he’ll keep going until “the big Dodger in the sky calls for me.”
How does he want to be remembered?
“I want to go down as being known as a guy who loved his family, a guy who loved his country, a guy who loved his God, and a guy who loved the Dodgers,” Lasorda said.
