Hall of Fame Managers:

Here is my story that aired on KABC 790 as part of the Lasorda at His Best series presented by Skechers:

Being a manger for 20 years, I have a lot of respect for other managers.  Especially Sparky Anderson, Whitey Herzog, Dick Williams; to me, they were outstanding managers.  When I was on the committee that selects managers and umpires for the Hall of Fame, Whitey missed Cooperstown by one vote, and that really upset me. 

The committee votes every two years.  Missing by one vote is tough, and I called Whitey and I told him how badly I felt that he didn’t make it.  I told him his chance would come again, and the next time we voted he made it. 

I was so proud and happy for him.  He is a great friend, but when we are competing against each other on the field, nobody is my friend unless you are wearing the Dodger uniform. 

I felt the same way about Sparky Anderson.  We played together and were great friends, but when he was managing the Reds and I was managing the Dodgers all of it went out the window.

Whitey, Sparky and Dick are all Hall of Famers, and deservedly so.  They all made contributions to the game of baseball, and they were all winners.

I am proud to call them my friends.