Lasorda Inducted in So. California HOF

Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda will be inducted into the California Sports Hall of Fame. On Sunday, January 28, Lasorda entered the Hall as part of the inaugural class at the Anaheim Hilton.

Lasorda, who is already enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, is being enshrined into the CSHOF for his contributions to California throughout his 58 years of service with the Dodgers. This induction marked the eighth Hall of Fame in which Lasorda will be enshrined.

“It is a great honor to be inducted into the California Sports Hall of Fame,” said Lasorda. “To have my name mentioned in the same class as the other inductees is particularly gratifying, and I am thrilled with this outstanding honor.”

Lasorda was inducted along with Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Eric Dickerson, Rafer Johnson, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Tom Flores, Marcus Allen, Reggie Jackson, Deacon Jones, Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn, Bill Walsh, Jackie Robinson, Bob Mathias, Wilt Chamberlain, John Wooden, Kellen Winslow, Magic Johnson and Jim Plunkett.

The longtime Dodger manager, who is entering his 58th season in the Dodger organization, was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 and also holds plaques in the Louisiana Italian-American Hall of Fame (1986), the National Italian American Hall of Fame (1989), the Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame (2002), the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame (2001), the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame (2006) and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (2006).

In its first year of existence, the California Sports Hall of Fame serves to capture the passion children and young adults have for sports, and direct that energy to enhance their educational and personal goals. The CSHOF will draw at-risk and underprivileged youth by hosting free athletic clinics.

Their motto is, “Achieve your goals through sports and education.”

Dodger Blue Notes-- Lefty Joey Eischen ended speculation that he would sign with the Dodgers when he inked a contract with Detroit. Aaron Sele, the last Dodger free agent, signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. …Outfielder J.D. Drew (finally) agreed to terms with the Boston Red Sox, with a contract stipulation that would cut the number of years short if his shoulder injury reoccurs.