Tommy Lasorda — a Dodgers legend and arguably the most famous manager in MLB history — has died, TMZ Sports has confirmed.
He was 93 years old.
The Dodgers released a statement Friday morning … saying Lasorda suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at his California home and was transported to the hospital with resuscitation in progress.
He was pronounced dead at 10:57 PM Thursday night.
As we previously reported, Lasorda was admitted to a Southern California hospital back in mid-November in “serious condition” … and required sedation. He was also put on a ventilator.
But, Tommy’s condition improved over the past few weeks … and just a few days ago, he returned home.
Though, tragically, Lasorda passed on Thursday.
“Words can not express my feelings,” legendary manager Bobby Valentine said on Twitter. “A friend and mentor for 52 years is no longer with us. Tommy no one will ever fill the void you left. Thank you for everything. R.I.P.”
Lasorda was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. He led L.A. to World Series titles in 1981 and 1988.
Lasorda also won Manager of the Year twice in 1983 and 1988.
“In a franchise that has celebrated such great legends of the game, no one who wore the uniform embodied the Dodger spirit as much as Tommy Lasorda,” Dodgers president Stan Kasten said.
“A tireless spokesman for baseball, his dedication to the sport and the team he loved was unmatched.”
TMZSports.com
Kasten continued, “The Dodgers and their fans will miss him terribly. Tommy is quite simply irreplaceable and unforgettable.”
RIP.