Valpomag

Lasorda Highlights Baseball Bash

Hall of Fame baseball manager Tommy Lasorda ’83 (honorary) will do almost anything for his former players.

So when Valparaiso University head baseball coach Tracy Woodson asked a favor of Lasorda—Woodson’s former manager from the 1988 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers—Lasorda didn’t hesitate to comply.

The favor was simple as far as Lasorda was concerned: attend and speak at the inaugural Valparaiso Baseball Bash on Jan. 28 in the Athletics-Recreation Center.

“Anytime I can help guys who played for me, I’m always willing to do it,” said Lasorda, one of 16 managers in major league baseball’s Hall of Fame. “Valpo has been special to me for many years. I have a great affection for this university.”

The event, which included a live and silent auction as well as a dinner, helped raise funds to support the Valpo baseball program.

Northwest Indiana residents and former major leaguers Lloyd McClendon ’81, ’05 Litt.D., Ron Kittle, Mickey Morandini and Dan Plesac also attended the event.

McClendon, the hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers and a member of the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame, played for the Crusaders from 1978 through 1980.

“I try to make it back to Valpo as often as I can,” said McClendon, whose son Bo is a sophomore at the university and a member of the baseball team. “I’m a big fan of Tracy, and I think he’s doing a heck of a job here.”

Valpomag

Lasorda Highlights Baseball Bash

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