Tommy Lasorda to return to Midland

MIDLAND, Mich. -- This week, Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Dodgers great, Tommy Lasorda will make his sixth visit to Dow Diamond since 2006. Lasorda, who arrived in Midland on Monday evening, will take a few days out of his busy schedule to spend time with the Great Lakes Loons coaches, players and fans.

Lasorda will be in attendance on Tue, May 18 and Wed, May 19 for the Loons' games against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Prior to each game, from 6-7 p.m., Lasorda is scheduled to be available to participate in a Meet-and-Greet with Loons fans. Time and availability for the Meet-and-Greet are subject to change. First pitch for the games is set for 7:05 p.m.

Lasorda, considered to be the premier ambassador for the game of baseball, first visited the region in 2006 to announce the Loons partnership with the Dodgers in a press conference at Saginaw's Fashion Square Mall.

The Great Lakes Loons honored Lasorda at Dow Diamond on Aug. 11, 2009, by retiring the Hall of Fame manager's uniform number and renaming a premium outdoor seating area "Lasorda's Landing." Since his last visit, "Lasorda's Landing" has been redecorated with pictures and a visual timeline of his baseball career.

Tommy Lasorda compiled a 1,599-1,439 record and won two World Championships, four National League pennants and eight division titles in an extraordinary 20-year career as the Dodgers manager. He ranks 16th in Major League history with 1,599 wins, and 12th with 3,038 games managed. His 16 wins in 30 NL Championship Series games managed were the most of any manager at the time of his retirement in 1996. His 61 postseason games managed rank fifth all-time behind Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, Tony LaRussa and Casey Stengel.

Lasorda is one of only four managers to skipper the same team for 20 years or more, joining Walt Alston, Connie Mack and John McGraw. Only one other manger in baseball history, Gabby Street of the Cardinals in 1930-31, has led his team to the World Series in his first two seasons.

In his current position, Lasorda reports directly to the Office of the Chairman, serving as an advisor to Dodgers owner and chairman, Frank McCourt, on all areas of the organization. Lasorda's current responsibilities include scouting, evaluating and teaching Minor League players, acting as an advisor and ambassador for the Dodgers international affiliations, and representing the franchise at more than 100 speaking engagements and appearances for various charities, private groups and military personnel each year. He has spoken to troops at more than 40 military bases around the world.

The Great Lakes Loons are in their fourth year as the Class A Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For more information about the Loons, please visit Loons.com or call 989-837-BALL (2255).