The NY Times and the NYPD:

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

Right after the All-Star Game we went to New York.  We arrived at something like 4:00 o’clock in the morning.  All of a sudden a police car pulls up and the cop recognizes me.

“Hey Tommy, how ya doing?” the cop asked.  “What are you doing?”

“We just arrived and we are looking for a newspaper.”

“Get in!”

He took Steve Brener, our publicity man, and me to the dock of the New York Times.  Then he asked me if I would speak to all of the police who were going out on duty.

I told them how proud they should be to wear that uniform, and serving and protecting the people.  I told them if there is anything I hate is crooked cop, and how that should never happen.

All of a sudden four guys in a jail cell hollered at me and asked for an autograph.  The commander let me go in.

“Man I’m glad I got arrested today,” said the inmate.  Another guy asked me to sign his Rikers Island card.

I tried to tell them how to be good citizens.  The commander was amazed because I had spent 15 minutes telling the police how to represent themselves and the department with class, dignity and honor.   Then I spent a few minutes trying to help the inmates become better citizens. 

Only in New York!