A funny story about Tommy Lasorda

Perhaps because this is Giants/A's country here, and also because basically every Davis High team was in playoff action last weekend, but we mostly missed Tommy Lasorda's visit to town. He was here for the UC Davis baseball hall of fame banquet. I'm sorry I missed it. Scott Marsh, famous from Aggie basketball broadcasts and his regular appearances on Comcast Sports Net, informed me that Lasorda is one of the best speakers in the world. So here's a story about Lasorda, courtesy of Enterprise special sections editor Tanya Perez.

A friend of Tanya and her husband's attended the dinner with Lasorda. The friend had been told that he'd become a Dodger fan after hearing Lasorda talk. After the talk, the friend approached Lasorda and said, sadly, he had not been converted to rooting for the Dodgers. Then he told Lasorda he knew someone who was an even bigger Dodger fan. He was talking about Tanya's husband, Steve, who doubles as a big-time economics professor. I'll let Tanya pick up the story:

Tommy responded, "Get your friend on the phone!"

So, (the friend) called up Steve, who bleeds Dodger Blue, and said, "Hey, Tommy Lasorda wants to talk to you." As Steve waited for (the friend) to get back on the phone using his best Tommy impersonator voice, he was shocked and awed to find out it was Tommy himself.

"Hey, Steve, it's Tommy Lasorda. How ya doin'?"

Steve nearly choked on his tears of joy and responded, "Hello, Mr. Lasorda. It's an honor to talk to you. I've been a Dodger fan since before you managed, and you've made some wonderful memories for me."

Ever the gentleman, Tommy responded, "Well, thanks, Steve. I appreciate it. You take care..."

Steve felt like he was 10 years old again, and all was right with the world.

I thought it was a nice story.