The 20 greatest Dodgers of all time, No. 8: Tommy Lasorda

Former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda speaks with fans while attending a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl in 2011. Lasorda, the second longest-serving manager in franchise history, has been involved with the Dodgers organization for more than six decades.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Lasorda’s major league career started with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954. He pitched two seasons for the Dodgers before going on to play with the Kansas City Athletics. After retiring in 1960, Lasorda became a scout for the Dodgers.

  (Jim Kerlin / Associated Press)

Manager Walter Alston, left, sits in the Dodgers dugout with Tom Lasorda in 1976. Lasorda took over as manager of the Dodgers after Alston retired at the end of the season following 23 years at the helm.

  (Mel Bailey / Associated Press)

Tommy Lasorda tapes a segment for the television show “Hee Haw” in November of 1977.

  (Larry Sharkey / Los Angeles Times)

Tommy Lasorda (2) gets a beer and champagne bath from Burt Hooten, left, and Rick Sutcliffe after the Dodgers clinched the NL West title on Sept. 24, 1978.

  (Andy Hayt / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Lasorda, second right, speaks with Dodgers players Jay Johnstone, far left, Don Stanhouse, second left, and Dave Goltz during a spring training practice session in Vero Beach, Fla., on March 2, 1980.  (Joe Kennedy / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda celebrates winning the five-game playoff series against the Houston Astros on Oct. 11, 1981.

  (Jayne Kamin / Los Angeles Times)

Tommy Lasorda tries nine hula hoops as Steve Garvey (6) gets a good laugh during spring training in 1982.

  (Jayne Kamin / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda check the grip of pitcher Fernando Valenzuela during a spring training workout in 1983.

  (Joe Kennedy/Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda reacts after the Philadelphia Phillies won 7-2 in the National League Championship Series to clinch a spot in the World Series on Oct. 9, 1983.

  (Jayne Kamin / Los Angeles Times)

Tommy Lasorda holds on to the ball on his way to fielding 100 in a row hit to him by coach Wes Parker during spring training in 1984.

  (Jayne Kamin / Los Angeles Times)

Joining Tommy Lasorda for some Chinese and Italian food are, from left, second baseman Steve Sax and pitchers Jerry Reuss and Orel Hershiser on Oct. 3, 1985.

  (Larry Bessel / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Lasorda, left, speaks with outfielders Pedro Guerrero, center, and Kirk Gibson before an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins in Vero Beach, Fla., on March 4, 1988.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times )

Manager Tommy Lasorda and vice president Fred Claire hoist the World Series trophy following the Dodgers’ decisive 5-2 win over the Oakland A’s on Oct. 20, 1988.

  (Bill Beattie / Associated Press)

Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda celebrates with fans as the team returns to Los Angeles after winning the 1988 World Series.

  (Alan Greth / Associated Press)

Dodgers Manager Tom Lasorda argues with first base umpire Eric Gregg during a game against the Montreal Expos in 1995.

  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Lasorda and his wife Jo leave Dodger stadium with interim manager Bill Russell following Lasorda’s retirement announcement on July 29, 1996.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Lasorda speaks during a ceremony held in his honor at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 7, 1996. Lasorda suffered a heart attack in June 1996 and retired as the Dodgers manager on July 29, 1996.  (Susan Sterner / Associated Press)

Tom Lasorda throws out the ceremonial first pitch during the Dodgers’ 1997 season opener at Dodger Stadium.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Lasorda acknowledges the crowd at Dodger Stadium as his number is retired by the team during a pregame ceremony in August 1997.  (Vince Compagnone / Los Angeles Times)

Tommy Lasorda addresses the crowd during his induction ceremony in the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Aug. 3, 1997.

  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Tommy Lasorda shares a moment with catcher Mike Piazza before the Dodgers retired the former manager’s jersey on Aug. 15, 1997.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Tom Lasorda shows his patriotic side after being named manager of the 2000 U.S. Olympic baseball team.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Lasorda tumbles to the field after being hit by a broken bat while working as a third base coach at the 2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Seattle. Lasorda avoided being injured during the incident.  (Bob Galbraith / Associated Press)

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, left, sits next to Tom Lasorda during a road game against the San Diego Padres in April 2005.  (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers players honor Tom Lasorda after the team’s final spring training game in Vero Beach, Fla., on March 17, 2008.  (Sam Wolfe / Associated Press)

Dodgers executive Tommy Lasorda gets around spring training grounds at Camelback Ranch in his golf cart in 2011.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Lasorda greets Placido Domingo, general director of the L.A. Opera, during a game in October 2012.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Billy Crystal meets with Tommy Lasorda before an old-timers game at Dodger Stadium on June 8, 2013.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Lasorda playfully argues with umpire and television and radio host Larry King during an old-timers game at Dodger Stadium in June 2013.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Lasorda stands on the pitcher’s mound with school shooting victims Kendal Sanders, left, and Nathaniel Tavarez before the throwing of the ceremonial first pitch at an Albuquerque Isotopes game in April 2014.  (Roberto E. Rosales / Associated Press)

Tom Lasorda sits next to New York Yankees great Yogi Berra during a June 2014 ceremony put on by the U.S. Navy to honor the 70th anniversary of Berra’s service during the D-Day Invasion.  (Rich Schultz / Associated Press)

Tom Lasorda takes the lead while shouting “Play Ball!” along with former Dodgers players before a game against the San Francisco Giants in May 2014.  (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)

Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda throws out the first pitch before Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Oct. 10, 2015.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Tommy Lasorda waves to fans during the seventh inning stretch at Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Oct. 18, 2016.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Tommy Lasorda passes his bobblehead statue at Camelback Ranch during spring training on Feb. 21, 2017.

  (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)