When One Manager’s Passion Defined a Franchise
Tom Lasorda didn’t just manage the Los Angeles Dodgers — he became the team. For two decades, Lasorda’s energy, loyalty, and belief turned “Dodger Blue” into a way of life.
Bleeding Dodger Blue
Lasorda took over in 1977 and immediately returned the Dodgers to glory with back-to-back National League pennants. In 1981, he delivered a long-awaited World Series title. Across twelve unforgettable seasons, his Dodgers won games, crowns, and hearts — and every moment had Lasorda’s fingerprints on it.
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Heartbreaks and Comebacks
There were near-misses that still echo through baseball lore — the 1980 one-game playoff, the 1982 final-day heartbreak, the tough losses that seemed to signal the end. But true to their manager’s spirit, the Dodgers always came back.
The Miracle of ’88
Then came 1988 — the year nobody saw coming. A team of grinders stormed to the division crown, upset everyone in sight, and capped it all an incredible moment: Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run against Dennis Eckersley, one of the most iconic moments in sports history.
Legends of the Lasorda Era
From Orel Hershiser’s dominance to the infield of Garvey, Lopes, Russell, and Cey… from Bob Welch’s strikeout of Reggie Jackson to Vic Davalillo’s drag bunt that sparked a rally — it’s all here. The passion. The personalities. The pennants.
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