BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Toronto Star: Griffin: Why Mr. Lasorda shouldn’t be in our hall of fame

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Toronto Star: Griffin: Why Mr. Lasorda shouldn’t be in our hall of fame

I betcha Lasorda cut in line on Griffin at Zappi’s...or something.

Which brings us back to Lasorda and why is he in the hall? Unlike his well-nurtured public image, he’s in reality a mean-spirited, egocentric, homophobic bully who has done nothing for Canadian baseball.

...When it was discovered in the late-‘70s that Dodgers centre fielder Glenn Burke was gay and had befriended Lasorda’s son, Tommy, Jr., Burke alleges that he had him traded to the A’s.

Later on, at the time Lasorda’s AIDS-ridden son was gravely ill, another gay player, Billy Bean, alleged that Lasorda was still telling rough, unfunny, homophobic locker room jokes.

Repoz Posted: June 25, 2006 at 12:40 PM | 18 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: dodgers, hall of fame

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. RMc and His Roster of Rubbish Posted: June 25, 2006 at 01:21 PM (#2075043)

Finally, in terms of what he's done for Canadian baseball, consider Blue Monday, with his '81 Dodgers beating the Expos in the NLCS, preventing Montreal from going to the World Series.

You're right, Dick, Tommy shoulda lost to the Expos on purpose. Idiot.

I'm no fan of Lasorda, and I don't think he belongs in the CHoF, either (because he's not, you know, Canadian), but Griffin's arguments are silly hearsay.

2. PaulO Posted: June 25, 2006 at 01:21 PM (#2075044)

Later on, at the time Lasorda’s AIDS-ridden son was gravely ill, another gay player, Billy Bean, alleged that Lasorda was still telling rough, unfunny, homophobic locker room jokes.

It would have been better if they were *funny* homophobic locker room jokes.

3. schuey Posted: June 25, 2006 at 01:38 PM (#2075050)

I always though Lasorda really trashed his son's memory by having Bobby Valentine give the eulogy at Jr's funeral. Pericles or Lincoln Bobby V isn't.

4. AndrewJ Posted: June 25, 2006 at 02:10 PM (#2075059)

And don't get Tommy started on Dave Kingman's three-homer game...

Later on, at the time Lasorda’s AIDS-ridden son was gravely ill, another gay player, Billy Bean, alleged that Lasorda was still telling rough, unfunny, homophobic locker room jokes.

And when Lasorda made it to Cooperstown in 1996, he thanked his family in his acceptance speech and even introduced Tony Danza in the audience but didn't even mention Tommy Jr.

5. jonm Posted: June 25, 2006 at 04:28 PM (#2075100)

Does this imply that Burke and Lasorda's son were a "couple?" If so, dating your manager's son was probably not the wisest career move for Burke.

6. jmac66 Posted: June 25, 2006 at 04:58 PM (#2075129)

Tommy Lasorda is dumber than 10 dogs

7. Srul Itza At Home Posted: June 25, 2006 at 06:24 PM (#2075294)

Tommy Lasorda is dumber than 10 dogs

Dogs are wonderful, intelligent, loyal creatures. Jack Rusells Rule. Comparing them in any way to Lasorda is almost as bad as liking Mariottie and the gay community. You owe dogs everywhere an apology.

8. Teufel's Graveyard Posted: June 25, 2006 at 06:38 PM (#2075318)

Tommy Lasorda is not a dog; a dog is loyal and runs after balls.

9. Srul Itza At Home Posted: June 25, 2006 at 06:41 PM (#2075320)

You could have said, Tommy Lasorda is dumber than a bag of hammers. But then you'd be apologizing to hammers.

10. gef the talking mongoose Posted: June 25, 2006 at 06:53 PM (#2075338)

You owe dogs everywhere an apology.

indeed. as soon as i can coax my 13-year-old black lab inside, i expect to read just such a statement of contrition to him, by <strike>god</strike> dog.

11. GregD Posted: June 25, 2006 at 07:37 PM (#2075422)

Is it true that Lasorda mentioned Tony Danza but not his son at the HOF ceremony? Ouch.

12. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: June 25, 2006 at 07:57 PM (#2075441)

Is it true that Lasorda mentioned Tony Danza but not his son at the HOF ceremony? Ouch.

Well he's a big "Who's the Boss?" fan. And can you blame him? Although Danza wasn't the reason I tuned in...

13. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: June 25, 2006 at 07:59 PM (#2075442)

"Although Danza wasn't the reason I tuned in..."

You love Judith Light too? I've searched my whole life for a woman with hair like that.

14. AndrewJ Posted: June 25, 2006 at 08:42 PM (#2075471)

Is it true that Lasorda mentioned Tony Danza but not his son at the HOF ceremony? Ouch.

Yes, I was there and can vouch for it. Lasorda did mention other family members in his speech, BTW.

As for "Who's the Boss?" ... Danny Pinaturo spoke to an entire generation.

15. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 26, 2006 at 02:15 AM (#2075759)

Anytime someone wants to criticize Tummy, it's fine with me.

16. guelphdad Posted: June 26, 2006 at 03:04 AM (#2075826)

I think someone pisses in Griffin's cereal every morning. Usually it is J.P. Obviously Tommy got first dibs this time.

17. MM1f Posted: July 01, 2006 at 05:14 AM (#2083276)

Wiki says Glenn Burke popularized the high five, which supposedly was a development from "flower power" type stuff.

You learn new, odd, random things everyday

18. CraigK Posted: July 01, 2006 at 07:11 AM (#2083311)

Wow; I now hate Tommy Lasorda.

Fat ####### italian.

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Toronto Star: Griffin: Why Mr. Lasorda shouldn’t be in our hall of fame

Reader Comments and Retorts

BBTF Sponsor

Support BBTF

Bookmarks

Hot Topics