Ties That Bind Dodgers Lasorda-Russell Relationship Resembles Father-Son Kinship

Perhaps the passing of the Dodgers’ managerial torch from Tommy Lasorda to Bill Russell on Monday afternoon was not complete until the outgoing manager of 20 years pulled his replacement aside, hugged him and whispered these sentiments in his ear: I love you and good luck.

There’s an amazing history between the two. When Russell first signed with the Dodgers in 1966, he reported to Class-A Ogden, Utah, where Lasorda was the manager. The two have rarely been apart in the 30 years since.

Asked how pleased he was that Russell has been chosen, Lasorda said: “That’s like asking me how happy I am that it’s my son. Who’s been tutoring him more, who’s been pushing him more, who’s been wanting him more?

“This is something that both of us dreamed would happen, that he would be taking my place. Well he’s here, he’s got the opportunity. I know he’s going to do a good job.”

Russell agreed, but the turn of events still stunned him. He broke down crying while talking about Lasorda at one point.

“I didn’t think of it happening that way,” Russell said about replacing Lasorda under the present circumstances. “I started out with him, 17 years old, I played for him, I coached for him and now I’m going to replace him. You know, you don’t think about those things.”

But it has happened, although no one knows whether Russell will be able to continue the incredible streak of job occupancy that has been enjoyed by the two most recent managers. Walter Alston managed the Dodgers for 23 years before he was replaced by Lasorda at the end of the 1976 season.

“We are not going to get into 1997 today, but Billy will continue to manage the ballclub with the help of his competent coaching staff until the end of the season,” Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley said. Said Dodgers executive vice president Fred Claire: “That’s probably more of a guarantee than most managers have, as far as I know.”

Claire said that Russell will be evaluated at the end of the season, just as Lasorda and Alston were for most of their tenures. He also said the final two months of the season will provide enough time to evaluate Russell.

But Claire stressed that he thinks highly of Russell and the way the coaches have helped him in his 30-game tenure, during which the Dodgers are 14-16.

Russell said he didn’t believe his uncertain future would be a distraction to the players since they have played very well at times despite having a number of things to contend with this season, among them Brett Butler’s bout with throat cancer and Lasorda’s heart attack.