Tommy Lasorda inducted into Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame
04/14/2006 5:16 PM ET
Los Angeles Dodgers Public Relations
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LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda will be inducted into the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame. On May 19 the President of the Pacific Coast League, Branch P. Rickey, will present Lasorda his Hall of Fame plaque in a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium. Lasorda, who is already enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, managed the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate Spokane Indians (1969-71) and Albuquerque Dukes (1972). This induction marks the sixth Hall of Fame in which Lasorda will be enshrined.
"It is a great honor to be inducted into the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame," said Lasorda. "When you honor me with this distinction, you really honor the players who put me there. All of the honors I receive became a reality only through the contributions of my players. In addition to myself, you also honor my family and the Dodger organization. I accept this recognition with pride and gratitude."
During his tenure, Lasorda led the Spokane Indians to the 1970 PCL Championship, compiling a 92-54 record. In 1972, as manager of the Albuquerque Dukes, he collected the Manager of the Year award while leading that club to a 92-56 record and another PCL Championship. Lasorda is the first manager to enter the PCL Hall of Fame in over 50 years. His cumulative record over four seasons in the PCL is 328-252-1 with a .565 winning percentage.
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The longtime Dodger manager, entering his 57th season in the Dodger organization, was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 and also holds plaques in the National Italian American Hall of Fame (1989), the Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame (2002) and the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame (2001). This June, he will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for his pitching as a Montreal Royal of the International League.
The Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame was created in 1936 by the Helms Athletic Foundation located in Los Angeles, California, which at the time also operated Hall of Fames for Major League Baseball, Golf, College Basketball, Tennis, Swimming, Auto Racing, Professional Football, Track and Field, and College Football. In 1952, the PCL Hall of Fame ceased operation, but was brought back in conjunction with the 2003 Pacific Coast League Centennial Celebration. The Hall currently consists of 64 members and includes such luminaries as Joe DiMaggio, Ernie Lombardi, Lefty O'Doul, and Steve Bilko.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.