'Korean Express' Park Chan-ho's Eternal Mentor, Former LA Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda Passes Away

[Image source = Park Chan-ho SNS capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Tommy Lasorda, former manager of the Los Angeles (LA) Dodgers and mentor to MLB legend "Korean Express" Park Chan-ho, has passed away.

On the 9th, Park Chan-ho posted a photo with Manager Lasorda on his SNS, saying, "I don't know how to express this sorrow in words," and "The legendary baseball figure who gave me love for 27 years, Manager Lasorda, has departed to a new world," delivering the sad news.

He continued, "Because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), I couldn't even visit him in the hospital. It's even sadder that I couldn't see his face or hear his voice."

He also paid tribute, saying, "I pray for the repose of the late Manager Lasorda. I send deep gratitude and respect for his achievements, love for baseball, and passion for life."

According to the Dodgers organization, former Manager Lasorda suffered a heart attack at his home in California and passed away while being urgently transported to the hospital. He was hospitalized last November due to health issues and received treatment for about two months. Although he recovered and was discharged a few days ago, he ultimately passed away at the age of 93.

Manager Lasorda had a very close relationship with Park Chan-ho, the "first Korean Major Leaguer."

Park Chan-ho, who was attending Hanyang University, signed with the Dodgers in 1994. At that time, Manager Lasorda, who was the team's leader, took on the role of Park Chan-ho's "American foster father," helping him adapt and grow. Because of this, he is very familiar to Korean fans as well.

In June last year, during an online meeting hosted by the U.S. nonprofit Korea Society, Park Chan-ho expressed his respect for Manager Lasorda, saying, "Manager Lasorda, who was like a grandfather to me, treated me like a friend of the same age."

Manager Lasorda debuted as a pitcher with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954 and became the Dodgers' manager in 1976. During his lifetime, he openly expressed his affection for the team, saying, "When I bleed, I bleed the Dodgers' 'blue blood.'"

Manager Lasorda, who led the Dodgers for 21 years until he resigned mid-season in 1996 due to heart disease, achieved four league championships and two World Series titles over 21 seasons and was inducted into the Hall of Fame after retirement.