'Tis Better to Give
Sometimes in life you have an opportunity to do something truly special. Two nights ago I had an opportunity like that, and it came in the form of a red suit, a scratchy beard, a bag full of presents and nothing but smiles.
I dressed up as Santa and took pictures with hundreds of children who have bean treated for cancer and are on the road to recovery. God bless them all.
The Dodgers were in fourth place in the NL West, seven games out of first place, and I made a bet with Page 2 Columnist for the Los Angeles Times, T.J. Simers. I bet that the Dodgers would win the division, he obviously disagreed. If I were to win, I was going to write his column for a day, and if I lost, well, out comes the Santa suit. I played Santa at a the holiday party for the Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA.
The Dodgers and Padres finished with the same record at the end of the year, but since the Padres had beaten us in the regular season series, I lost.
Fast forward to last Tuesday night. Getting the suit on was a bit tricky, but when I walked into the party, the looks on the faces of the children were priceless. I gave them my best Ho, Ho, Ho’s, got lots of requests for X Box’s and PS3’s, and most importantly, I got lots of hugs smiles as each child sat on my lap to get their picture taken with Santa.
One little boy asked me for a Dodger’s World Championship, at which point I called over Ned Colletti, our General Manager, and told the little boy to ask him.
In fact, Santa would like nothing more than a world championship for Dodger fans. We have the greatest fans in all of baseball, and a World Series title is the best way we can thank them for their continued support.
At the end of the night, I was soaking in sweat, but it was all worth it because those amazing kids were happy. Those special kids, who conquered the challenge none of us ever want to face, really gave me the most special gift of all.
Tommy nice post! What a wonderful life your having!
All I want for Christmas is for Opening day to get here soon!
It has already been such an exciting winter with all of Ned's aquisitions.
I know a lot of people feel bitter about Gange moving on, but maybe he was doing us a favor, he was looking for the most guaranteed money.
I dont think he will ever be the same, I dont think he will make it through the next season, better their money than ours.
I watched the press conference yesterday, I was thrilled to see that these guys really seem to want to be Dodgers, we Are gonna slaughter the Giants this year. How about that comment Schmidt made about how the Giants did not like seeing us celebrating on their field. Ahh, the fruits of victory!
God bless you and yours this Holiday season, and 2007 will be the year we go all the way baby!
Go Tommy, Go Ned,
go Dodgers!
P.S. When we win it all this year we Dodgers will have to have Ned bobble head night!
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That is some great stuff! Good for Tommy. Eventhough I would have loved to have read his page 2 column. This turned out better. I love the fact that as young as they are they are still demanding a Worlds Championship! God bless those kids!
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Tommy, We know you would have done all that even if you won the bet. You are the greatest!
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Well done Tommy. Place another bet with TJ. Would love to see your column especially if you included him in it. I recall you saying one time you liked double headers. When asked why you replied, "Because I get to keep my uniform on longer." Looks like you got yo keep the Santa suit on for quite a while. Certainly a highlight for you and the kids. If I may put my Christmas wish in it would be that all the kids at the hospital recover their health and live long and happy lives. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!
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Hey Tommy,
My 7 day old son just had open heart surgery on 10-26 at UCLA. The Mattel children hosp. is heaven on Earth. With all the little angels we met I would like to thank you so much for giving back to the community. Although Jack went home on 11-21, part of me wishes he could of been there to see you!
God bless you and God bless the wonderful Doctors at UCLA who save lives on a daily basis.
Our thoughts and prayers to the kids and families whom UCLA gives new hope...
OH YEAH,, Go Dodgers!!!
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I want to clarify,
When I said Jack went home on 11-21 I meant we took home as VINNY would say a bouncing baby boy. He is doing remarkable despite his ailments.
The Dr's actually give him a real good chance to be playing left field for the Dodgers in 2026
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Tommy,
Reason 107 why you are so special to the organization and to it's fans.
Thank you for everything.
Go Blue!!
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Happy holidays to you, your family, and the entire Dodger organization.
The seasons of the year or pre-,
chamionship, post-, and off.
Let's see - how long before pitchers and catchers report?
GO DODGER BLUE!
P.S. I wear Dodger Blue nail polish year round.
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Totally rockin, Tommy. Somehow I get the impression that settling that bet wasn't that much of a hardship. Go Big Blue, and lets have a Freeway World Series next year (if you like both the Angels and the Dodgers, do you bleed purple?)
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Tommy, you know you would have played Santa at any rate, as I have read you do almost every year. it is one thing I can about you,you do it for the kids and that is ok by me.
But it is "Santa Clause" and the suit is "red" like in Sparky's "Big Red Machine", but never mind that; do you think you can not mention "the greatest fans in all baseball" for one day? That act wears thin.(Even if Santa isn't.)
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Mr. Lasorda, that is an awesome thing you do for the kids. I am a die-hard Reds fan but I enjoy reading your blog. Keep up the good work!
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Hi Mr. Lasorda,
Just wanted to thank you for the visit to Spring Training at the Port St. Lucie Mets stadium. I was the deputy assigned to your protection detail and wanted to let you know all went well and you were a pleasure to protect. Nice to have a brush with greatness occasionally.
Hate to see the Dodgers leave Vero Beach but progress and all, right? Hope they treat you guys right in AZ.
Hope to see you again next go round' and good luck this season. You and the organization you represent are truly a "class act".
B
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