FOR ALL AGES
The 1997 National Baseball Hall of Famer, Tommy Lasorda was one of the greatest baseball managers in the history of baseball with 1599 winning games in his career.
Born on 22 September 1927, Thomas Charles Lasorda was passionate about baseball from a very young age. Tommy Lasorda started with baseball professionally when he was signed by the Phillies in 1945.
Soon after, in 1949, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers with whom he played in the major leagues for two seasons. He later ended his baseball playing career and became a scout for the Dodgers. In 1973 he became a third base coach for the Dodgers, who were coached by another Hall of Famer, Walter Alston. Alston retired in 1976, and so Tommy Lasorda was given the reins.
He helped Los Angeles Dodgers gain two consecutive National League Championship victories and they also won the World Series twice in the years 1981 and 1988. He had already made his mark in history at this point but in 2000, he led the US national team to win the gold in the Sydney games, earning his icon status.
He was also a very lively person for the cameras during the post-press meets, putting on a show for everyone. He had the time of his life as a coach, enjoying every minute of it. Tommy Lasorda sadly passed away on 7 January 2021.
To inspire current and future baseball fans and players we have put together a list of the best Tommy Lasorda quotes. These are some of the most notable quotes by Tommy Lasorda. Once you're done with this, we've got plenty more here with these inspirational baseball quotes and Tom Landry quotes.
These Tommy Lasorda quotes by the legendary coach and baseball player are sure to pump you up for the day.
1. "About the only problem with success is that it does not teach you how to deal with failure."
-Tommy Lasorda.
2. "No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference."
-Tommy Lasorda.
3. "If you love your job, you haven't worked a day in your life."
-Tommy Lasorda.
4. "The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination."
-Tommy Lasorda.
5. "Nothing succeeds like failure."
-Tommy Lasorda.
6. "The only way I'd worry about the weather is if it snows on our side of the field and not theirs."
-Tommy Lasorda.
7. "You have got to love what you are doing. You have to appreciate what you are getting, and you have to do it to the best of your ability."
-Tommy Lasorda.
8. "Guys ask me, don't I get burned out? How can you get burned out doing something you love?"
-Tommy Lasorda.
9. "There are three types of baseball players: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens."
-Tommy Lasorda.
10. "You can wake up every day and make today better than the last."
-Tommy Lasorda.
These Tommy Lasorda quotes have made an impact on every baseball player. The Tommy Lasorda quotes on his theory of hitting are particularly interesting.
11. "No, we don't cheat. And even if we did, I'd never tell you."
-Tommy Lasorda.
12. "All last year we tried to teach him, Fernando Valenzuela, English, and the only word he learned was 'million'."
-Tommy Lasorda.
13. "My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it."
-Tommy Lasorda.
14. "Everybody makes mistakes, that's why they put erasers on pencils."
-Tommy Lasorda.
15. "I love doubleheaders. That way I get to keep my uniform on longer."
-Tommy Lasorda.
16. "Managing is like holding a dove in your hand. Squeeze too hard and you kill it; not hard enough and it flies away."
-Tommy Lasorda.
17. "Listen, if you start worrying about the people in the stands, before too long you're up in the stands with them."
-Tommy Lasorda.
18. "Pressure is a word that is misused in our vocabulary. When you start thinking of pressure, it's because you've started to think of failure."
-Tommy Lasorda.
19. "Baseball is like driving, it's the one who gets home safely that counts."
-Tommy Lasorda.
20. "People say you can't go out and eat with your players. I say why not."
-Tommy Lasorda.
Tommy had his way when dealing with the crowds with his witty lines. These Tommy Lasorda quotes are a great example of his natural wit.
21. "My wife tells me, 'I think you love baseball more than me.' I say, 'Well, I guess that's true, but hey, I love you more than football and hockey.'"
-Tommy Lasorda.
22. "I walk into the clubhouse and it's like walking into the Mayo Clinic. We have four doctors, three therapists, and five trainers. Back when I broke in, we had one trainer who carried a bottle of rubbing alcohol and by the seventh inning he had drunk it all."
-Tommy Lasorda.
23. "If you don't love the Dodgers, there's a good chance you may not get into Heaven."
-Tommy Lasorda.
24. "Say 'Dodgers,' and people know you’re talking about baseball. Say 'Braves,' and they ask, 'What reservation?' Say 'Reds,' and they think of communism."
-Tommy Lasorda.
25. "Nobody has to tell Frank Sinatra he is a good singer and nobody has to tell me that I am a good manager."
-Tommy Lasorda.
26. "The only Angels in Los Angeles are in heaven, and they’re looking down on the Dodgers."
-Tommy Lasorda.
27. "If he raced his pregnant wife, he'd finish third."
-Tommy Lasorda.
28. "The best possible thing in baseball is winning the World Series. The second best thing is losing the World Series."
-Tommy Lasorda.
29. "I was glad to see Italy win. All the guys on the team were Italians."
-Tommy Lasorda.
30. "When we win, I'm so happy I eat a lot. When we lose, I'm so depressed, I eat a lot. When we're rained out, I'm so disappointed I eat a lot."
-Tommy Lasorda.
Take a look at these Tommy Lasorda quotes, including his most famous words: "I bleed Dodger blue and when I die, I'm going to the big Dodger in the sky"!
31. "I motivate players through communication, being honest with them, having them respect and appreciate your ability and your help."
-Tommy Lasorda.
32. "If you'd see my schedule, you'd know I have no time to slow down."
-Tommy Lasorda.
33. "When you start thinking of pressure, it's because you've started to think of failure."
-Tommy Lasorda.
34. "I've never used one word of profanity in front of my wife, or my daughter, or my granddaughter, or anybody else's wife."
-Tommy Lasorda.
35. "We're all put here for a reason. And one little movement changes your way of life."
-Tommy Lasorda.
36. "Never argue with people who buy ink by the gallon."
-Tommy Lasorda.
37. "Sometimes, you get too hopped up, too excited, and it works against you."
-Tommy Lasorda.
38. "Nobody thought we could win the division! Nobody thought we could beat the mighty Mets! Nobody thought we could beat the team that won 104 games! But we believed it!"
-Tommy Lasorda.
39. "Sports has kept me on the straight and narrow path."
-Tommy Lasorda.
40. "I bleed Dodger blue and when I die, I'm going to the big Dodger in the sky."
-Tommy Lasorda.
41. "The saddest day of the year is the day baseball season ends."
-Tommy Lasorda.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you like our suggestions for Tommy Lasorda quotes from the famous baseball player and manager, then why not take a look at these baseball mom quotes, or [Woody Paige quotes] for more great quotes?
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.