Spokane Archives: Lasorda's Hiring
SPOKANE, Wash., - Tommy Lasorda was named field manager of the 1969 Spokane Indians, replacing Ron Hartsfield, who had been elevated to a coach position with the parent Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lasorda has doubled as a scout and manager the past three years. As manager of the Pocatello and Ogden Dodgers of the Pioneer Rookie League during the 1966-68 seasons, he led his teams to three consecutive pennants. As a scout, Lasorda signed such promising prospects as Willie Crawford, Tom Hutton, Larry Eckenrode, Steve Sogge, Kenny Washington and Walt Peterson to name a few.
A 1945 graduate of Norristwn (Pa.) High School, Lasorda signed his first professional contract with the Philadelphia Phillies Concord Club of the North Carolina State League. The southpaw pitcher spent the majority of his playing days in the Dodger Organization, having been drafted into the organization in 1949 from Greenville. Tom played most of his career in Triple A ball - with Montreal, Denver, and Los Angeles - and holds the record for most wins by a pitcher in the International League with 125 after spending nine seasons in Montreal. He saw Major League service during the 1954-56 seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Kansas City Athletics.
Tom also played 12 years in the Carribean Winter Leagues; six years in Puerto Rico, five in Cuba, and one year in Panama. In 1961, Lasorda signed as a scout with the Dodgers and as a Minor League pitching instructor during spring training. The Dodgers requested Lasorda leave his native Pennsylvania in 1963 and assume his scouting duties in California, where he has been in great demand throughout the Southern California area on the banquet circuit. The 41-year-old Lasorda resides in Fullerton, Calif., with his wife Joan and their two children: 16-year-old Laura and 10-year-old Tommy Jr.
Lasorda's services as a pitching instructor has also been in great demand. A few years ago he spent over a month in Tokyo, Japan, working with the Tokyo Giants as a pitching instructor and in January of this year spent three weeks in Mexico City serving the same capacity for the Mexico City Tigers. This past offseason he managed the Dodger Club in the Arizona Instructional League.
Wimmer Delivers Walk-Off Winner On Mother's Day
Braylen Wimmer delivered the ultimate Mother's Day present with his mom in the stands. Spokane's second baseman drilled a two-out walk-off single in front of his mom, Jill Wimmer, as the Indians stunned the Canadians, 5-4, in extra innings at Avista Stadium. Spokane improved to 17-16 with the victory and
Messinger Leads Indians Past Canadians, 5-4
Skyler Messinger had three hits and two RBI as the Indians held off the Canadians, 5-4, in front of 5,907 fans at Avista Stadium for Rosauers Family Feast & Fireworks Night presented by Rosauers Supermarkets, KAYU Fox 28, & 92.9 ZZU. TOP PERFORMERS Andy Perez got the scoring started in
Indians Fall Flat in 10-1 Loss to Canadians
A six-run seventh inning from the C's turned a close game into a rout as the visitors thumped the Indians, 10-1, in front of 4,291 fans at Avista Stadium for Military & Veteran Appreciation Fireworks Night presented by Froyo Earth, NonStop Local KHQ, & 103.5 The Game. TOP PERFORMERS Braylen
Prosecky Spins a Gem, But Indians Fall 5-1
Michael Prosecky allowed just two runs over a season-high six innings but Spokane's offense went cold as the Indians fell to the Canadians, 5-1, in front of 1,972 fans at Avista Stadium for Cafecitos de Spokane Night presented by by Longhorn BBQ & KXLY 4 News Now. TOP PERFORMERS Prosecky
Indians Win Back-and-Forth Affair Over Canadians
In a game with five lead changes, 16 runs, and 23 hits, it was an assuming balk that proved the difference in Spokane's 9-7 win over the Canadians in front of 2,151 fans at Avista Stadium for Smokey Bear Night. After drawing a one-out walk in the eighth inning, Tevin
Longwell's Longballs Lead Indians Past C's
Aidan Longwell clubbed a pair of home runs and drove in four as the Indians thumped the Canadians, 9-2, in front of 2,223 fans and 165 dogs at Avista Stadium for SCRAPS Bark in the Park Night presented by SCRAPS. TOP PERFORMERS It was the first career multi-homer game for
Homestand Preview: May 6-11 vs. Vancouver
Tuesday, May 6th - SCRAPS Bark in the Park Night presented by SCRAPS Enjoy a baseball game alongside your furry friend! Fans and dogs alike will receive the special group rate of $6.00 per ticket. Fans that bring their dogs will get to sit in a special pet-friendly section and
Indians Slam Emeralds 9-6 in Series Finale
Aidan Longwell broke open a tie ballgame with a grand slam off the Coors Light Caboose as the Indians topped the Emeralds, 9-6, in front of 2,375 fans at Avista Stadium for the Dollars in Your Dog Day Game. TOP PERFORMERS Longwell's grand slam was the second for Spokane this
Emeralds Outlast Indians in Extra-Inning Affair
A tense back-and-forth affair saw the Emeralds strike for three runs in the 10th inning as they topped the Indians, 6-3, in front of 3,840 fans at Avista Stadium for Fireworks Night presented by Holiday Heating + Cooling + Electric. TOP PERFORMERS Jared Thomas led the way offensively for Spokane
Indians Fall Flat in 2-0 Loss to Emeralds
After scoring 32 runs over the first three games of the series, the Indians managed just six hits on a warm Friday night as they fell to the Emeralds, 2-0, in front of 3,209 fans at Avista Stadium for Fireworks Night presented by Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino and KEY
Indians Come Up Short in 9-5 Loss to Emeralds
Jared Thomas and Jean Perez both homered for a second consecutive night but the Indians fell to the Emeralds, 9-5, in front of 2,137 fans at Avista Stadium for 1st Responder Appreciation Night presented by Inland Northwest AGC & Big 99.9 Coyote Country. TOP PERFORMERS Thomas finished the game 3-for-5
Indians Blast Four Home Runs in 10-5 Win
The Indians clubbed four home runs and hit double digits in runs for a second straight game as they outshined the Emeralds, 10-5, in front 2,021 fans at Avista Stadium for DORIS' Birthday Extravaganza presented by the Spokane International Airport. Spokane improved to 9-8 with the win and now boast
Indians Announce 2025 Family 4-Pack Dates
The Spokane Indians Baseball Team and Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino are teaming up again to make family outings at Avista Stadium even more affordable this year. Now in its third season, the Family 4-Pack presented by Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino features (4) reserved bench seats, (4) Indians dogs,
Indians Teach Emeralds a Lesson in 17-5 Win
The Indians tallied season highs in hits and runs as they schooled the Emeralds, 17-5, in front of 4,724 fans at Avista Stadium for the Education & Businessperson's Special Day Game presented by KXLY 4 News Now & KXLY AM 920/100.7 FM. TOP PERFORMERS Skyler Messinger helped the Indians climb
Homestand Preview: April 22-27 vs. Eugene
Tuesday, April 22nd - Education & Businessperson's Special Day Game presented by KXLY 4 News Now & KXLY AM 920/100.7 FM Move your business meeting to the ballpark and come have a fun educational experience while cheering the Indians to victory. First pitch is at 11:05 a.m., gates open at
Indians Drop Sunday Finale, Split Series with C's
The Canadians struck for three in the second and two more in the fourth as they pulled away for a 7-1 win over the Indians in front of 1,862 fans at Avista Stadium for the Neurodiversity Awareness Day Game presented by Les Schwab Tires. TOP PERFORMERS Jared Thomas reached twice
Indians Announce 2025 SWX Broadcast Dates
The Spokane Indians and SWX Right Now announced today the broadcast dates for the six televised games during the 2025 Northwest League season, starting with Military & Veteran Appreciation Fireworks Night on Friday, May 9th. First pitch against the Vancouver Canadians is at 6:35 p.m. that night with coverage from
Indians Fall Flat in 9-3 Loss to Canadians
Vancouver jumped on Indians starter Alberto Pacheco for seven runs in the second inning as the C's cruised to a 9-3 win over Spokane in front of 2,495 fans at Avista Stadium for Rosauers Family Feast Night presented by Rosauers Supermarkets, KAYU Fox 28, & 92.9 ZZU. TOP PERFORMERS Braylen
Messinger's Big Night Powers Spokane in 8-6 Win
Spokane third baseman Skyler Messinger homered and drove in four as the Indians defeated the Canadians, 8-6, in front of 2,470 fans at Avista Stadium for Storybook Princess Night. TOP PERFORMERS After the C's jumped on Jordy Vargas for two quick runs in the top of the first, Messinger provided
Mike Boyle Set to Call Historic Sports Doubleheader
Spokane, Wash. - Mike "Double Duty" Boyle is set to complete a historic doubleheader on Sunday. The veteran broadcaster will be on the mic for the Spokane Indians in their afternoon matchup with Vancouver before heading over to the Spokane Arena for the Spokane Chiefs playoff game against Victoria that
Thomas Delivers Walk-Off Winner in 1-0 Thriller
Jared Thomas delivered a two-out single in the ninth inning—his third hit of the night—to plate Jesus Bugarin as Spokane stunned Vancouver, 1-0, in front of 2,575 fans at Avista Stadium for Golf Night presented by Pacific Golf and Turf & 105.7 Now FM. TOP PERFORMERS After getting blanked in
Homestand Preview: April 8-13 vs. Vancouver
Tuesday, April 8th - SCRAPS Bark in the Park Night presented by SCRAPS Enjoy a baseball game alongside your furry friend! Fans and dogs alike will receive the special group rate of $6.00 per ticket. Fans that bring their dogs will get to sit in a special pet only section
Brown Dazzles in Debut, But Indians Fall 8-4
McCade Brown was unhittable in his High-A debut, but a bullpen meltdown doomed the Indians as they fell to the C's, 8-4, in front of 1,661 fans at Avista Stadium for Book Club Night. TOP PERFORMERS Brown struck out the side in the first and finished with six K's over
Indians Thump Canadians 8-2 in Series Opener
Spokane's offense erupted for three home runs in a single inning and a season-high 11 hits on the night as they trounced the Canadians, 8-2, in front of 1,450 fans and 58 dogs at Avista Stadium for SCRAPS Bark in the Park Night presented by SCRAPS. TOP PERFORMERS The bats
Pacheco Spins a Gem in Spokane's 3-1 Win
Albert Pacheco shut down a talented AquaSox lineup and was backed by home runs from Aidan Longwell and Jared Thomas as Spokane topped Everett, 3-1, in front of 2,595 fans at Avista Stadium for the King Carl Day Game presented by The Black Lens. TOP PERFORMERS Pacheco set the tone