Extry, Extry: Tommy Lasorda Likes Eating, Talking

Today’s edition of the Los Angeles Times features an interview by T.J. Simers with Tommy Lasorda, the latter of whom — we’re led to believe — spends the bulk (get it?) of the interview talking between mouthfuls of delicious breakfast foods.

Because you’re a free person, you’re welcome to read the article in its entirety. Otherwise, regard these two passages, which one might safely describe as being “full of joie de vivre.”

Passage One: Mike Scioscia also likes eating.

I told [Mike] Scioscia when he played for me that I’d give him $100,000 if he lost 20 pounds,” Lasorda says by way of retort. “But I told him he had to put the check in his son’s bank account. Well, he lost the weight, I paid him and then he put on all the weight he had lost.”

There is no pause between bites.

“Ever hear the story about Scioscia down in the Dominican? We were always worried about his weight. [Former GM] Al Campanis tells someone to get him a bicycle and count how many miles are on it at the end of each week.

“One day Mickey Hatcher hears this bike pedaling like crazy. He’s impressed. He opens the door and Scioscia is lying on the couch with a pizza on his stomach and some Dominican kid pedaling the bike.”

Passage Two: Tommy Lasorda also likes gambling.

Last week, he delivered one of his inspirational speeches to Wisconsin upon its arrival for the Rose Bowl. He says it would have been better had it come directly before the game.

Wisconsin lost.

“They beat the spread, so that helps a little bit,” he says with a laugh.