Top Ten Tommy Moments 7 Tommy Falls At 2001 All-Star Game

In this new series, we will be celebrating the life and times of Tommy Lasorda. The man we consider as the most passionate Dodger ever. This series of articles are a tribute to our site namesake, and a celebration of all things Tommy Lasorda, as we declare this week, Tommy Lasorda Appreciation week. From the immortal question, to his rivalry with the nose, to his legendary run as manager, these are our top ten Tommy moments of all time. We honor the man the myth the legend, Tommy Lasorda.

Tommy Falls At All-Star Game.-Photo from Dodgerblues.com

The number seven Tommy moment of all time, takes us back to the 2001 all-star game, at Safeco field in Seattle. Tommy Lasorda, was coaching third base for the National League team during the 2001 all-star game. For some reason this incident is always talked about when someone brings up the greatest Tommy Lasorda moments of all time. I don’t like it, since he could have been seriously hurt. I think it is in poor taste. However it was a very memorable moment, so it makes the countdown. Thank goodness he was ok.

Sometime during the game, Vladimir Guerrero of the National League team, lost his bat while swinging. The bat traveled all the way down the third base line. As it flew towards Tommy, he had to jump in order to avoid getting hit by the flying bat, and he fell. As Tommy leaped up to avoid the bat, he fell backwards. The bat did actually hit him in the side, causing him to try and leap out of the way. As Tommy fell backwards, he almost did a backwards somersault, landing on his head. Fortunately Tommy was not hurt. A measly bat can’t stop Tommy. Tommy got up immediately after, and the crowd gave him a nice ovation.

Later in the game as a joke, Barry Bonds gave Tommy a chest protector. It was a funny moment. You’ve got to look alive when coaching third base, because line drives can come at you fast. Now you know why third base coaches wear batting helmets. The National League would go on to lose the game 4-1 to the American League. Cal Ripken Jr. homered and won his second all-star game MVP award for the American League. It would be Ripken’s record breaking 15th consecutive all-star game appearance.

Tommy Lasorda is a warrior. Nothing can stop him. Not bat, nor ball, nor act of god. You may knock him down, but you can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him.

Tommy Lasorda

"“I bleed Dodger blue and when I die, I’m going to the big Dodger in the sky.”"