Tommy Lasorda Quotations

The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination.

There are three kinds of people in this world: people who make it happen, people who watch what happens, and people who wonder what happened.

If you don't love the Dodgers, there's a good chance you may not get into Heaven.

About the only problem with success is that it does not teach you how to deal with failure.

The only Angels in Los Angeles are in Heaven, and they're looking down on the Dodgers.

I still remember the entire Boy Scout motto. I don't remember the serial number of my gun in the army. I don't remember the number of my locker in school. But I remember that Boy Scout code.

I believe managing is like holding a dove in your hand. If you hold it too tightly you kill it, but if you hold it too loosely, you lose it.

You give loyalty, you'll get it back. You give love, you'll get it back.

They could never beat me in Springfield. I loved that old ballpark. If I could have pitched there all my career, I'd be a 300-game winner.

There are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens.

'Pressure' is a word that is misused in our vocabulary. When you start thinking of pressure, it's because you've started to think of failure.

Baseball is like driving, it's the one who gets home safely that counts.

Guys ask me, don't I get burned out? How can you get burned out doing something you love? I ask you, have you ever got tired of kissing a pretty girl?

Managing is like holding a dove in your hand. Squeeze too hard and you kill it; not hard enough and it flies away.

When I was 15 years old, I used to actually dream I was pitching in Yankee Stadium. Bill Dickey was my catcher.

I bleed Dodger blue and when I die, I'm going to the big Dodger in the sky.

No, we don't cheat. And even if we did, I'd never tell you.

No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference.

I started in the lowest league in baseball, and I worked my way all the way up to Triple A and then to the big leagues. I never reached the level that I thought I would reach as a player. But that's the way it goes. So then I started from the bottom as a manager, and I worked my way up to managing the Dodgers for 20 years.

Chan Ho had a great career and was the exemplification of class, dignity and character.

We're all put here for a reason. And one little movement changes your way of life.

I love doubleheaders. That way I get to keep my uniform on longer.

I do not care whether you're a Democrat or you're a Republican or an independent. We must pull for the people who are wearing the uniform of the armed forces. These people weren't drafted. They enlisted, because they believe.

I've never used one word of profanity in front of my wife, or my daughter, or my granddaughter or anybody else's wife.

When we win, I'm so happy I eat a lot. When we lose, I'm so depressed, I eat a lot. When we're rained out, I'm so disappointed I eat a lot.

Listen, if you start worrying about the people in the stands, before too long you're up in the stands with them.

Always give an autograph when somebody asks you.

Sometimes you've just got to let an umpire know that you're not satisfied with his decision. That they've missed the play in your opinion. Not that it's going to do you any good, but you've got to let them know.

The only way I'd worry about the weather is if it snows on our side of the field and not theirs.

Everybody wants to win, but everybody doesn't win.

Everything I have, I owe to baseball and the Dodgers.

People say you can't go out and eat with your players. I say why not.

When I was interviewed after I got hired to replace Walter Alston, a future Hall of Famer, I was asked: 'Don't you feel pressure on you?' I said: 'Want to know something? I'm worried about the guy who's going to have to replace me.'

When you - when you become the manager of a major league team, particularly the Dodgers, to me, that's a privilege and an honor. No matter where you go or what you do, you represent that position that you have. And you represent that organization that gave you the opportunity to be doing what you're doing.

One time I was doing a speech to a group of kids, and just before I get there, I see this little kid crying. I found out they just lost a game, and he was the losing pitcher. I went over there, put my arm around him, and said, 'What are you crying for? When major league players lose, they don't cry.'

I am so happy and proud to learn of Hideo Nomo's election to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. He was quite a pitcher and competitor, but he is also a very special and caring person.

My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it.

I firmly believe that there is a God. I firmly believe that there is a Heaven. And I firmly believe that if you go there, it's gonna be great.

You can wake up every day and make today better than the last.

Baseball is played by all countries now, and softball, too

You can have the best team in baseball, and if nobody goes through the turnstiles, you've got to shut the doors down.

You get an opportunity to do something for your country, you better get out and do it.

If you love your job, you haven't worked a day in your life.

Sometimes, you get too hopped up, too excited, and it works against you.

When I took the job as the manager of the Olympic team, I didn't take it because I was a Dodger. I did it because I was an American, and I wanted to bring that gold medal where it belongs in baseball, the United States. And that's exactly what our team did.

I didn't even graduate from high school. I've never told anybody that before. I got my degree later, when I was in the army.

I've got a portrait in the Smithsonian. Who ever thought that would happen?

I've had heroes in my life - Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth.

My goal is to live to be 100.

Sports has kept me on the straight and narrow path.

We met with him for two hours, and we talked about everything. He seldom laughed, that was one thing I noticed. He did not have much of a sense of humor. But he was a good fan of baseball, and he loved to talk about it.

Many people have asked me why I came to Plymouth,

She's a package of dynamite, an endless worker.

I was fortunate enough to coach the U.S. Olympic team in Australia.

I am enthused and excited to be named the honorary starter. Waving the green flag is like swinging a bat; it's all in the wrists.

I am enthused, and excited to be named the Honorary Starter. Waving the green flag is like swinging a bat; it's all in the wrists.

Frank asks me questions, and I give him opinions, and that's it. I'm the senior advisor to the chairman of the board. It wouldn't be good if we both had the same opinions.

He was to people all over the world what a baseball player was supposed to be like,

I was in awe of playing on that (1955) team,

Why? Go ask my wife, she'll tell you.

With so many new faces, ... it's hard to say who will lead the team.

I've always called L.A. 'the world capital of sport.'

Do you know how many countries are represented in the Olympics, and how many sports, and how many athletes? ... A lot. A lot. But no Americans in baseball? Why? Why? It's sad. Very sad.

You wait till you see that Dominican team. You wait till you see Puerto Rico. You wait till you see Venezuela. . . . Matsui is a great player. The Japanese team needs him.

This is something that we needed so desperately in this game. And to see the reaction of the fans all over the country is really and truly amazing, and to see the excitement at that ballpark today was stimulating. All of us in baseball should really say to those guys congratulations for what they've done for the game.

I told him, 'You will be a major league manager. You have the ability, you have the knowledge and certainly have the correct attitude,'

I traveled 2,500 miles to have lunch with you all. It's a good lunch, ... But you have to care.

I've had escorts before, but nothing like this.

If you said to God, 'Create someone who was what a baseball player should be,' God would have created Joe DiMaggio ... And he did.

I am able to speak at many, many functions, ... The reason I support the United Way is that it does so much good in our country. A lot of people, like all of you gathered here today, are always willing to help. It's something that makes this country great. It's always good to meet people and to break bread with them.

All last year we tried to teach him Fernando Valenzuela English, and the only word he learned was million.

My son wasn't gay. No way.

My God, look at the words people use today. They use profanity like it's nothing. Christ almighty.

I managed the Dodgers for 20 years. It's hard to believe that there are only four guys in the history of baseball who managed the same team for 20 years or more. One was owner of the team, Connie Mack. Another was part owner of the team, John McGraw. Then there was my predecessor, Walter Alston, and me. It's amazing. In the 20 years I managed the Dodgers, 210 managers were fired.

If you'd see my schedule, you'd know I have no time to slow down.

Bruce Benedict is so slow he'd finish third in a race with a pregnant woman.

I was told to stay away from pasta and bread for two weeks. Not eating pasta? That'll kill me. Anything else, but why pasta?

Everybody makes mistakes, that's why they put erasers on pencils

I wasn't quite sure how a player got to the big leagues. As far as I knew, he was just there one day.

Caltech honored me -- they named an asteroid after me. There's only two of them up there with names. One of them is Walter Cronkite. The other is Tommy Lasorda.

There are parents out there screaming as if their kid is going to be in the big leagues someday. C'mon. I chew them out if I see that. Maybe they've got their own idea how to do things, but it's wrong. Just be with the kids. Let 'em make errors. Give them all a chance. It's not about winning. It's spirit, togetherness.

My wife tells me one day, 'I think you love baseball more than me.' I say, 'Well, I guess that's true, but hey, I love you more than football and hockey.'

You give loyalty, you'll get it back.

Ernie Banks was a great great player and when he no longer could play, he became a great ambassador for the game. He represented the game with the highest of class and dignity. Everybody loved Ernie Banks. He enjoyed baseball, life and people. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. We have truly lost a baseball giant.

Nothing succeeds like - failure.

Grownups have to say 'please,' too.

A second-guesser is one who doesn't know anything about the first guess, and he's one who needs 2 guesses to get one right.

I was glad to see Italy win. All the guys on the team were Italians.

It's still the best game in town because you don't have to be big to play, and everybody plays. Even your grandmother probably played baseball.

I've always called L.A. 'the world capital of sport.'

I was fortunate enough to coach the U.S. Olympic team in Australia.

Everywhere I go, I feel strange.

Say 'Dodgers' and people know you're talking about baseball. Say 'Braves' and they ask, 'What reservation?' Say 'Reds' and they think of communism. Say 'Padres' and they look around for a priest.

The gym teacher's name was Mr. Caruso. Mr. Caruso did not speak English. He spoke 'Gym.' One day I was playing basketball and Mr. Caruso told me I would have to get an athletic supporter. He didn't express himself exactly that way, though. He said, 'Hey, you, one day you're gonna go up for a rebound and the family jewels aren't gonna go with ya.' I had no idea what he was talking about. Next day I showed up for practice without my watch and my mezuzah. He said, 'Did ya take care of the family jewels?' I said, 'I left 'em in my locker.' Took us a half hour to revive Mr. Caruso.

I'm so excited I had a seven-car police motorcycle escort. I've had escorts before, but nothing like this... I'm really in awe, coming here and seeing so many cars, so much enthusiasm.

He (Darryl Strawberry) is not a dog; a dog is loyal and runs after balls.

I'm telling you, I don't like cheaters.

I've been Catholic all my life, and there's one thing I've never understood. Why didn't the Corinthians write back?

Think about each pitch like you think about women, then select one which is particularly appealing.

I've been able to dine with presidents, with leaders of corporations, traveled for 14 years with (financier and philanthropist) Michael Milken, who has taught me so much about life. Hanging around with them, it's nothing I could have believed in grade school. I could be with all of them? Milton Berle, Don Rickles, Dean Martin ... this former third-string pitcher from the Norristown High baseball team and the son of an Italian immigrant? I really am in awe when I think that has happened to me. What a life.