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"I Call Dodger Stadium - BLUE HEAVEN ON EARTH" began a funny, yet motivational speech by Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Manager Tommy Lasorda. I was given an opportunity to go meet this legendary coach, and being a Dodger Fan my entire life, I was like "heck yes, let's go"! So Grace bought the tickets for this fundraiser benefiting Valparaiso University's Baseball Team. The Event had several hundred in attendance, included dinner, keynote address by Lasorda and autographs :) I guess my greatest Baseball Memory to date only took 43 years, but it was well worth the wait! VU Baseball Head Coach Tracy Woodson invited me to attend this fund raiser, and this will be a night I will always remember! Not only did I personally meet and shake the hand of Tommy Lasorda, I also met and talked with former MLB Stars such as V.U. Alumni Lloyd McClendon (who played with the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates), Mickey Morendini (Pirates, Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays) and Ron Kittle (Chicago White Sox, Yankees, Indians and Orioles).
What a funny man Lasorda is..funny and INTENSE! He shared some incredible stories about baseball and about life & success! I want to share one story he told tonight that affected me personally, and has applications to any profession as well. He recalled the time when he 1st was hired by the Dodger Organization and he immediately began going to the media and telling everyone (media and players both) how he would beat the Reds in every game they played ! He was called in by the owner of the Dodgers and was questioned about these public tactics and his comment in return was : "We WILL beat them all year long and that is what I want myself and my team to profess and BELIEVE." Well it took only that year for the Dodgers to beat the Reds by 12 & 1/2 games...the moral of this story is quite simple... PROFESS IT, BELIEVE IT & SAY IT.... whatever it is, if you want to succeed. Repeat it and go DO IT. YOU have to BELIEVE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING, then State it as a GOAL! So if you want to get 15 mortgages done - say you will.... If you want to get 10 listings - say you will..If you want to go on a vacation - say you will....and then go for it ! The personal stories Lasorda shared over the years in baseball were incredibly funny, but, his view of life and success came across as a strong image that will at least with me...last a life time. This was a night I will never forget. Not only as it relates to baseball memories, but life lessons as well. His last comment before he ended was so ture "There are 2 beings you can not fool -# 1. The person in the mirror and #2. GOD. and you have to answer to both of them! Not only was it a special night, hearing Lasorda speak, I was very happy to contribute to a worthy cause by being the highest bidder on an authentic signed baseball from current Los Angeles Dodger 3rd Baseman- Nomar Garciaparra. I also left with 2 signed baseballs and a signed bat all courtesy of Tommy Lasorda! This was a baseball lovers "dream come true". Written by Jeff Safrin For Great Family Fun, Come on Out and Support The Valparaiso Crusaders BaseBall Games - 1st Home Game is on Friday, March 28th at 3:00pm CST at HOME on the Emory G. Bauer Field - hope to see you there :) Looking to RELOCATE to NW Indiana? Give us a call For all Your REAL ESTATE needs @ 219-405-1232 Sincerely, Jeff & Grace Safrin - REALTORS -"Spouses Selling Houses"TM - F.C. Tucker Realty Serving Lake County, Porter County, La Porte County, in NW Indiana Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The ActiveRain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Realty. |
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Jeff & Grace Safrin, Broker / Owners
F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate
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ding dang darn it. I knew there was something I was missing tonight.
I am a huge Tommy Lasorda fan, looks like you guys had fun
thanks for sharing the pics
You can take the boy out of L. A., But you can't take the Dodgers out of the boy!
"Dodger Blue Through and Through"
Drysdale, Gilliam, Reese, Snider, Bonds Sr., Koulfax, ..........
Steve Snyder
Senior Loan Officer
C M G Mortgage Services
800-720-5596
Hello Dave - It was awesome and I laughed and laughed and laughed at his real life stories! Then when he got intense about life's lessons you could hear a pin drop!
Hello Libby - Yes He is wonderful and wise!
Hello Julie - Great night, Great Cause, Great Company!
Hello Carole - and he's very funny - He said he includes the humorous memories of his baseball career into speeches because he believes "Laughter is Food For The Soul"
Hello Steve -The highest bid for a silent auction item was dinner with Tommy before a Dodgers Game he will be at this June :)
Thnaks to all of you for taking time and commenting
Danny: Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. In such a small town you are right to get such a well know star was very cool and getting the balls and bat signed only made it more memorable.
Jeff
Nicholas: I have to agree he is a joy to hear (i have to admit a lil grouchy) but once he starts to speak OMG he is so Funny and Witty and the stories he told about Steve Sax...I gotta tell ya.. He said Steve was a great player...not a great thinker..one year he asked Steve "what is the soup Steve" Saxie replied "of the day" i was so laughing..It was a s great and memorable evening for sure! Thanks for replying !
Jeff