Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda will add to his collection of honorary degrees Tuesday when he receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Loyola Marymount University for his “contributions to baseball and sportsmanship.”
“Tommy Lasorda is a legendary member of the sports world and has been an outstanding contributor to (the) Los Angeles community for decades,” LMU President Timothy Law Snyder said.
“He has been an inspiration to generations of young people in what it means to be a true leader by exhibiting the highest level of honesty, pride and commitment to his team and its individuals and his community.”
Lasorda, who never attended college, has also received honorary doctorate degrees from Pepperdine University, St. Thomas University, Cal State Long Beach, University of Phoenix, Concordia University, the University of Hawaii, Argosy University, Cypress College and Marymount College.
Lasorda managed the Dodgers from 1976-96, winning two World Series, along with four National League pennants and eight division titles. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, his first year of eligibility.
The 88-year-old Lasorda is now a special adviser to the chairman, serving as an adviser on all areas of the Dodger organization for owner and Chairman Mark Walter.
Lasorda’s responsibilities include scouting, evaluating and teaching minor league players, acting as an adviser and ambassador for the Dodgers international affiliations and representing the franchise at more than 150 speaking engagements and appearances to various charities, private groups and military personnel each year.