06.25.06
Tommy Lasorda, Not Only Homophobic, But Cheap, Too
It’s a shame that No Mag isn’t available online, otherwise there would be an illuminating interview with Tommy Lasorda Jr. (with accompanying photograph) to share with you. And on a related note, the Toronto Star’s Richard Griffin speaks out in opposition to Tommy Sr.’s entry into the Canadian Baseball Hall Of Fame (link culled from Repoz and Baseball Think Factory)
Why is he in the hall? Unlike his well-nurtured public image, he’s in reality a mean-spirited, egocentric, homophobic bully who has done nothing for Canadian baseball.
In the winter of ’75, as a coach for the Dodgers, Lasorda even leveraged an offer to manage the Expos from club president John McHale, taking over from Gene Mauch, into the Dodgers’ job, taking over from Walter Alston. McHale always thought he had had an agreement.
When it was discovered in the late-’70s that Dodgers centre fielder Glenn Burke was gay and had befriended Lasorda’s son, Tommy, Jr., Burke alleges that he had him traded to the A’s.
Later on, at the time Lasorda’s AIDS-ridden son was gravely ill, another gay player, Billy Bean, alleged that Lasorda was still telling rough, unfunny, homophobic locker room jokes.
Throughout his Dodgers’ tenure, Lasorda was honoured by Italian-Canadian associations in Montreal. On one trip, a star-struck clothing manufacturer invited Lasorda and his coaches to his factory to sample his wares. The plan was to sell items at cost. After gathering armloads of samples, the Dodger was presented with a bill. He furiously stormed out of the factory because it wasn’t free.
Apparently, or so goes the legend, when Tommy found out that as a coach he wouldn’t receive a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics, he was upset, because he had passed up the opportunity for a lucrative speaking engagement back in the U.S.
In the years since 1976, whenever a player was traded from the Dodgers to the Expos or Jays, the vitriol they brought for Lasorda has been palpable. That is unlike the public image of Tommy the motivator.
Tommy LaSorda is correct is his stance on gays in professional sports. Not only are they poor role models for children, they are noted for the use of alcohol and drugs.
yeah, Tommy had a lot of luck w/ str8′s like Steve Howe and Darryl Strawberry. They were awesome role models for kids.
sis, someday we’ll find out that the big leagues are crazy with queers just like every other walk of life. I’m sure there’s at least a couple who’d like to come off the DL one of these days, but this “poor role models for children” bullshit doesn’t help matters.
[i]Tommy LaSorda is correct is his stance on gays in professional sports. Not only are they poor role models for children, they are noted for the use of alcohol and drugs.[/i]
Fuck you.
We met Tommy Lasorda at his resturant in Marina Del Ray CA in 1985.
He was with his son and family.
He is every bit the gentleman he appears to be in public.
Slander is not only illegal, it is immoral.
Thank You
Richard
Dick,
Feel free to write back anytime. But not before you explain how your pleasant encounter with Tommy and his late son in any way disproves Mr. Griffin’s allegations.
MARILYN … prejudice is when you PRE-JUDGE and ENTIRE group of people.
In this case you are making a blanket statement agains MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of men and women around the world. While it is easy and comforting to hold such black and white concepts… they are the definition of ignorance.
I think drugs and alcohol are a problem equally for all men and women – straight, gay and bisexual.
If ignorance is bliss … this chick must be happy
I stumbled on this site while doing research for an graduate-level report that I am doing on the degree of bigotry and discrimination that exists in the highest levels of professional sports and society at-large. I enjoyed reading the posted comments, but would just like to follow-up by saying that rjp3 and GC are correct. Shame on you Marilyn for stereotyping. The fruit of your ignorance only seeks to limit and diminish. For that is what a stereotype does. It prevents you from seeing the person and instead you just see a mental construct of your own making. Congratulations on further contributing to all that pollutes and limits humanity. I wonder who is really the danger and ‘poor role model for children?’ People who struggle to live as a minority, people who endure the scourge of discrimination, people who struggle with the disease of addiction, or people like you who are quick to judge and pass on prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination to the children who will be the future leaders of this country. Fortunately, I refuse to accept your poison. Young, impressionable children may not be as fortunate. Shame on you.
It is hard to understand why Tommy Lasorda would not accept that his son died of AIDS. It would seem to be a great opportunity for Mr. Lasorda to use his celebrity status to bring awareness to this dreadful disease. If he was not truthful about his own son’s death, was he lying about having an affair with a call girl. And if not, why not sue the woman that published the book saying that he was a regular customer. Magic Johnson was responsible for enlightening the world – Tommy could have done at least as much. He is still mum about his son. Why?
He is mum about his son because he’s still embarrassed that his son was a fruit
He was more concerned about his own ego (embarrassment at something that wasn’t embarrassing and that he had nothing to do with anyway) than being a good father to his son. HE is the poor role model for children.
Well said Brian
Tommy Lasorda was not ashamed of his son. I knew his son. He loved his son very much.
I am constantly amazed at the blatant stupidity and ignorance puked forth by some of the people commenting here. Marilyn Hedron (and the others here of your ilk) I can only hope that you have (or will have) children and that at least one of them turns out to be gay. Get back to us then you uneducated cretins.
I agree with the previous comment about Tommy Lasorda being the bad role model for kids. He is part of a bye gone era that believed living lies & keeping up false appearances was an acceptable way forward. What a fool and how self-centered he must be! Hopefully he has changed by now & made his excuses to the public.
I’m a 45 year married man with a great wife and 2 kids (and straight)… Since I moved to the West Coast at age 15 I have been exposed to many wonderful people in the Gay community. I respect their love and compassion for another individual. I just watched the “Glenn Burke” special that was aired tonight….for years I boo’ed Tommy Lasorda for fun, but after watching tonight and reading more on-line about his son I truly boo him as a Dad. I love my 5 and 7 year unconditionally…..and he should too. If he was Gay he should admit it….express his love so his son can rest in peace. In addition as a father to a Gay son he could be an inspiration to cross generations. I boo’ed Tommy at Candlestick Park (but agreed with him) when he said “You boo me because you love me!” As a baseball fan I love to boo the opponent and cheer on my team.
Until you right the wrong to your son and the Gay community your Boo will not only be from a team level (our escape from real life), but more importantly from an emotional level of the battle you personally supported versus prejudice towards Jackie Robinson.
Tommy you are either on the boat or off regarding prejudice…..make this Giants fan love you again and spend your golden years making your son proud.
The 15th response from ‘say hey kid son’ hit the nail on the head. I’m a native San Franciscan and I’ve been a Dodger fan since 1975. I’ve always loved Tommy Lasorda, and living in Giants town, I’ve always had to defend my love for the Dodgers and Tommy Lasorda. However, after hearing about how he treated Glen Burke and his son, I just can’t defend him anymore. I agree with ‘say hey kid son’ in saying, Tommy needs to right the wrong with not only his son and the gay community but everyone and become a spokesperson for equality and acceptance. He’s a very famous American and it would make a huge impact. People would listen. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening. We can only pray for him.
God Bless Mr. Burke and Mr Lasorda Jr. Thank you guys for your strength. So sorry that they both didn’t live to see all of the life saving meds that they have today. And alot of people are wrong. Us gays are good role models. All you have to do is love a kid, and give them true support. And that kid will love you forever. Kids are taught to hate. And that comes from the parents. People hate what they don’t understand. Thanks to both gentlemen for touching my life and so many others.. God rest your weiry souls…Greg Boone
Thanks Greg – Tom Jr was my friend and Tom Sr did love his son, however narcissists make terrible parents.
Growing up in Dad’s right-wing bigoted shadow AND bearing Dad’s name was more than he could overcome.
RIP Tom Jr I love you.
Fack you Marilyn. US fags cant suck cak with the best of them!
And So what if we are on meth?!
And another thing- so what if I am a skinny useless piece of shit?!
I got my US citizenship AND I sukked off Tommy Lasorda, so fack you all!
I dated Tommy Lasorta Jr twice and always saw him at the Oddessey1.I just want to make note that he was a stunningly good looking man and very very striking to look at in a almost david bowie way.Coming from an extremely macho cowboy family myself we kind of bonded on the humour of if our fathers could really see how it all was so different for us than their generation.This guy could have went to amazing places if the hover of his dads presence was not so intimidatingly large and yet tommy jr had it all but for the most important part…acceptance True acceptance I know..I really wish there were pictures out there because to me he was a real bold fashion role model.This story is kind of huge in a great american way.
Tommy Sr is obviously one of the “old school” types who perhaps loved his son, but very obviously homophobic. I feel sorry for those of you who believe prejudice against a particular group of people is justified. You are showing your ignorance. Drug abuse comes in many forms and affects people from all walks of life. There are not even any photographs online of Tommy Jr. Was his father embarrassed by him? What a tool.
I believe that Manager Lasorda did love his son but never accepted him more out his ignorance plus his own image. Lasorda, Sr was the self promotors/ self promotor, if that makes any sence. Tommy, Sr was brought up near Philadelphia in the 1940′s where gay people were looked at sadly as “queers”. I recall when Tommy, Jr passed his dad, Tommy Sr asked the Dodger fans to donate money to the retired baseball players fund. He was sadly, too embarrassed to ask the people to donate for Aids Reseach. Lasorda, Sr is in his 80′s and time to reveal his son was gay, which has nothing to do with Sr. whatsoever.
All this is by the by. Homo’y is, when not practiced, quite sad, and when practiced, unnatural, unhealthy, unwise, unseemly, … and just plain gross. A more sainted person than Tommy Sr. might have been more accepting but, so what?, something this vomit-inducing… a person is entitled to his natural response. Someone brought up narcissism. Ha! Psychologists for decades, before PC described homo’y as “narcissism genitalized”. So, that’s ironic.
all sorts of stupid things were commonly believed back in the stone age. Our homosexual pals are just as healthy, happy and well adjusted as you and me. Though i’m not so sure about you.
I too was lucky enough to know Tommy Jr. We knew each other from the L.A. club, ” The Rose Tattoo”. He was not only a most handsome man but also was the epitome of grace and charm. He was an honorable man who’s content of character was admired by many. Yes, he did crave the acceptance of his father but it was not to be. I’m sure Tommy Sr. loved his only son in his own way, just not in the way Tommy Jr. had wanted. It’s too bad that there are people that feel it’s alright to spew such vulgar words about people they never knew. Tommy Sr. felt his son let him down just as Tommy Jr. felt his father let him down.
Such ignorance that comes from the mouth of “famous” people… to the person who says that gays are poor role models…You are an idiot and a poor role model for children. They are no more drawn to alcohol and drugs than straight people…and if they are more inclined to alcohol and drugs it is because people like you have put them down all their lives and this is their only escape in their minds…. my best friend was gay and he came out to me our freshman year in highschool. I felt it an honor that he trusted me enough with this…though he wasn’t received well with other friends and he found the only solution at the end of a gun barrel. I wish I could have done more or been more supportive of him..but I now carry his banner proudly and tell his story so that maybe..just maybe… someone else’s best friend will not find the solution with a gun…
Tommy was right, both of those sodomites died from AIDS, and are now burning in hell. Great role models.
the only positives that homosexuals contributed to society are the positives on STD tests.
interesting. so you’re saying Alexander The Great was really Alexander The Average? Exactly how many times did Tchaikovsky test positive for an STD?
The real shame here is that these two young men are dead, while hateful bigoted shitbags like “Rich” and “Ian Stuart Donaldson” continue to draw oxygen. The only positive you could contribute to society, Rich, would be your own suicide. Do it soon.