We already know that Chronicle baseball reporter Jose de Jesus Ortiz does not bother to engage in even elementary levels of research before writing his articles. However, the following blurb in a recent column reflects atrocious research by even Ortiz’s dubious standards:
Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, truly one of the greatest ambassadors for baseball during his lifetime, will celebrate his 80th birthday Saturday.
He shares that birthday with former Astros pitcher/broadcaster/manager Larry Dierker, one of the best ambassadors for Houston baseball for the last 43 years. Dierker turns 61 on Saturday.
Lasorda was honored with a pregame ceremony Friday night at Dodger Stadium with a video tribute on Dodgervision. Fans also received a bobblehead of the former manager.
“I am so very grateful the Dodgers are honoring my birthday with such a special bobblehead,” he said.
That Lasorda is a wonderful “ambassador” for baseball is one of those myths that just won’t go away. In reality, he was a marginal manager of Dodger teams with generally good personnel who has about as abrasive a personality as one can imagine. It is a travesty that Dierker — who really is a classy man — has his name linked with Lasorda. For a dose of Lasorda’s true character, check out the following video of Lasorda’s tirades from over the years (warning for even the not easily offended: Very foul language):
The difference between Lasorda and Earl Weaver is that Lasorda is jovial when you put him in front of a TV camera. Thus he gained the perception of “ambassador for baseball” as opposed to “angry old man”. In reality, they are the same.
And you didn’t even mention the story about Lasorda stealing pornography from an airport newstand or the massage story.