Most baseball experts and analysts would agree when former baseball player, scout, coach and manager Tommy Lasorda see talents, he knows it.

Lasorda — winner of two World Series titles and four National League pennants in 20 years as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers and considered to be the best baseball scout ever — will visit Russellville on Friday to share his wisdom and help raise funds for the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys baseball team.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Will McCrotty. I haven’t seen him in awhile, and I’m looking forward to seeing him and his family,” Lasorda told The Courier last week. “ I’m very anxious to see the school, what it looks like and what it represents.”
McCrotty, Tech’s assistant head baseball coach, played eight seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians. He is the twin brother of Wonder Boys assistant coach Wes McCrotty.

“Will was a member of the Dodger organization, and once a Dodger always a Dodger. When I can help an ex-Dodger, I’m more than honored to do it,” Lasorda said. “I know Will is such a wonderful young man, and I’m sure he’s making an outstanding coach at Arkansas Tech.”
Will once played under Lasorda, who said he saw promise and talent in McCrotty, which made it easy for him to say yes to help out ATU. He said Will represented the Los Angeles Dodgers organization to the highest degree of class and dignity.

“I remember the fact he had a lot of ability. He had one of the finest throwing arms that I’ve seen on a catcher,” Lasorda said. “And every once in a while, he’d show you some power. He’s just a very wonderful young man.”
Lasorda said he is very proud of McCrotty and the accomplishments he’s made over the years as both a player and coach.

“The rewarding thing is that a young man who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers is accomplishing in his field of coaching. I’m proud of him in that respect,” Lasorda said. “It’s for a great cause and consequently, I feel real good about coming down to help.”
Lasorda said he wants people to show up Friday night and help out the program. He said he thought it was important to Will and the Wonder Boys athletics program. Lasorda said he felt confident McCrotty would be able to pass on the knowledge and advice he learned as a former Dodger.

“When I attend events like this, I try to make people happy and try to motivate players, to make people enjoy themselves,” the coach said. “I want to help motivate players and make them understand what its going to take for them to make it in life.
“The most important thing a coach can tell a player is what his ambition is, what he’s looking for, what he wants to be. The big thing, beyond that, what is important to them [the players] besides getting a good education. Education is something that no one can take away from you. Education means it opens many doors for you. The primary thing coaches should teach you is to make sure you get a good education. Players are not there just to play baseball.”
Lasorda explained with the 2007 World Series beginning Wednesday, he was impressed with the Colorado Rockies and the success they’ve enjoyed the past month – from being forced to win a one-game playoff to be the National League’s wild card team to sweeping the NL division and championship series.

“Colorado has been hot, I can’t believe it,” Lasorda said. “They came very close to not even being in the playoffs. If Hoffman hadn’t blown two relief jobs they wouldn’t have ever been in the playoffs. Here they are with the numbers of winning 20 out of 21 games. It’s unbelievable. I’m a National Leaguer, been a National Leaguer all my life, yeah I’m going to pull for Colorado, without a doubt.”
Lasorda will highlight the third annual Evening with Tech baseball, the Wonder Boys’ fund-raising event. Tickets are $60 per person or $600 for a corporate table of eight. Dinner will begin at 7 p.m.

 

 

 

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