Everyone seems to have a Tommy Lasorda story, and today. I’d like to share mine. I actually have the tape of this entire exchange from 1982.

When I was in HS, I interned for the Duquesne U. radio station and was assigned to “get sound” (interviews) after a Pirates-Dodgers game.

After the game, I went to the visiting team manager’s office at Three Rivers Stadium and waited for Lasorda to finish talking with the LA media.

Tommy saw this shy 16-year-old in the back, and called me out in front of seven or eight writers, and asked me to introduce myself.

TL: What are you doing in here?

BR: Sir, I’m here to interview you about the game. (Writers all laughed)

TL: Who do you work for?

BR: WDUQ, the public radio station in Pittsburgh,

TL: What that mean?

BR: It means there are no commercials. The station relies on peoples’ generosity for support.

TL: You want MY generosity? (Writers explode in laughter)

BR: Yes, sir.

TL: Son, come up here. Right up to my desk. Roth. Are you Jewish?

BR: Yes, sir.

TL: Do you know that greatest Dodger was Jewish?

BR: Sandy Koufax, sir.

TL: That’s right. You know the Jews and Italians are a lot alike. Does everyone in this room know that? Do you love your mom more than anyone in the world?

BR: Yes, sir.

TL: I bet your grandfather worked really hard to make it in this country, didn’t he?

BR: Yes, sir.

TL:See guys, the Jews and the Italians cut from the same cloth. Do you listen to your grandmother & do what she tells you?

BR: Of course.

TL: Ok son, ask me anything you want.

So, I did the interview with Tommy Lasorda and at its conclusion he asked, “Will you be back here tomorrow night?”

BR: Yes, sir. If you’ll let me.

TL: You better be here.