Former Dodgers coach speaks at baseball dinner
By CHRIS FEDERICO
Assistant Sports Writer
Former Los Angeles Dodgers head coach Tommy Lasorda unofficially opened the 2002 Irish baseball season with a speech to Irish players and fans in the Joyce Center Monday night.
Notre Dame's season does not begin until Friday but the "ballpark style" dinner gave Notre Dame fans a chance to see the team before it travels to New Orleans to face Missouri in the first game of the season.
Lasorda cast a light-hearted tone on the evening, telling jokes about growing up Catholic and recalling humorous stories from his many years in baseball with the Dodgers.
The legendary coach and Olympic gold medal winner entertained the crowd of fans with numerous stories about baseball, Italians and Catholics before moving on to the more serious part of his speech.
"I've been to a lot of affairs throughout these great United States and I love to meet people because when I leave I always feel so much richer, and I know when I leave here I will feel so much richer," Lasorda said.
Lasorda spoke to many of the young people in the audience about what he considered some of the most important things in life.
"I come here tonight, not to hear my voice, but to deliver a message, and the message is to the youngsters to love your parents and to do everything you can to make them proud of you," Lasorda said.
A longtime friend of Mainieri, Lasorda has also developed a close relationship with Notre Dame during the past year, including giving a speech at the Tennessee pep rally.
"I saw that baseball team filing in here earlier, and I was out there working with them today," Lasorda said. "And I have never seen a bunch of young baseball players who were more polite than those fellows. That's a tribute to the parents, No. 1. And, No. 2, that's a tribute to [Paul Mainieri] because he is ... without a doubt one of the finest college coaches in this entire country."
While much of the speech focused on baseball, Lasorda stressed the importance of getting an education and taking advantage of opportunities in life.
"You young men, you players, you come here for an education — that's why you're here," Lasorda commented. "You're fortunate enough to play sports, but get an education, because that's why you come here."
The coach also emphasized the importance of doing everything in life to the best of one's abilities.
"When you get up in the morning and look in the mirror, there's going to people two people you cannot fool: God and yourself," he stated. "And you're going to say one of two things to yourself: `How far could I have gone in life if I had given it everything that I had?' If you didn't you'll regret it the rest of your life, but if you did, you'll never have any regrets because you're doing what you're supposed to do."
As he concluded, Lasorda's admiration for the University showed through with some of his closing statements to the team.
"When you go out there to play, play the game for the name on the front of the jersey and not on the back," Lasorda said. "Represent this team because it's the greatest institution that you could ever represent. Don't ever embarrass it, and when you leave here, leave a legacy for those coming in behind you. If you are what you are supposed to, no one will ever be able to beat that legacy.
"You have this opportunity — play, play your heart out," Lasorda said. "Wear that uniform with pride, dignity and character, and you'll never regret it."
The evening was held to generate excitement about the Irish baseball team and its upcoming season. Everyone who bought tickets to the function also received season tickets for the 2002 baseball season.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, February 19, 2002
