Tommy Lasorda, at the mere mention of his name, everyone knows you are talking about a true blue Dodger, his six plus decades with the boys in blue is the longest of any person. Even longer than TBLAs Hall of Fame’s name sake Vin Scully. He and Scully are the only persons that have been with the LA Dodger organization as for every year they have been out west.

Released as a player in 1960, he went to work as a scout. After 4 years he became the manager in the Dodger system at Pocatello in 1965. He moved up the minor league system over the next 7 years, Ogden then Spokane and finally Albuquerque. He won championships all along the way. In 1973 he moved up to the big league club as 3rd base coach. Studying under the Great Walter Alston, he learned his craft well and in 1976 with four games left in the season he took over as Alston retired.

Over the next 21 seasons he compiled a .526 winning percentage, 1599 wins, four pennants and 2 World Series Championships. Tommy was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as a manager in 1997, his first year eligible. Based solely on his long and successful tenure Tommy belongs in the O’Malley Suite, but Tommy was so much more than the sum of his statistical achievements.

Many will argue that Tommy was not much of a "numbers" guy, he was not a statistician. I would reply to them that he knows the game and knows the situation at hand and made the right call more often then not. He managed by motivation. It worked for him and the Dodgers.

He also was an unabashed rah-rah. Who can forget Tommy running onto the field after a big win, his arms raised to the sky, the height of his jumps measured in millimeters, in fact there would be some question if you could slide a sheet of paper between the soles of his shoes and the ground. Tommy bleeds Dodger Blue and prays to the Great Dodger in the Sky, for those too young to remember his tenure (which means you have not enjoyed a Dodger Championship) let me assure you that they were great years in Dodger history.

Does Tommy belong in over Alston, I do not think so. I believe they both deserve plaques in the O'Malley suite. It is hard to measure the success of a manager in any way except Wins and Championships and on both of these yard sticks both Walter and Tommy measure up quite well.

He also was always good for a quote (parental guidance is suggested)