Bellevue Community College will welcome one of professional baseball’s most recognizable faces when it hosts its annual Pre-Season Dinner later this month.

Legendary baseball manager Tommy Lasorda will speak at Bellevue Community College on Jan. 23, imparting his knowledge from almost 60 years in professional baseball. Lasorda, who won two World Championships, four National League pennants and eight division titles as the Los Angeles Dodgers manager, will be the keynote speaker at the dinner in what is believed to be his first speaking engagement in the Seattle area.

“We are ecstatic about having such a prominent figure in baseball here in the Northwest,” said Bellevue Community College baseball coach Mark Yoshino. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have someone of this magnitude come out to help put our baseball program in the spotlight even more.”

Lasorda managed the Dodgers for 20 seasons and is entering his 59th year with the organization this season, where he will serve his third year as special advisor to the chairman. In his current position, Lasorda serves as an advisor on all areas of the Dodger organization for owner and chairman Frank McCourt and vice chairman and president Jamie McCourt, as well as scouting, evaluating and teaching minor league players.

In 20 seasons as manager of the Dodgers, Lasorda compiled a record of 1,599-1,439 and currently ranks 13th in wins in Major League Baseball history.

“He’s one of the biggest all-time icons in the history of the game,” Yoshino said.

Besides his successes in the United States, Lasorda is one of the best-known international ambassadors of the game. Commissioner Bud Selig appointed Lasorda as the Official Ambassador of the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, where he traveled around the world promoting the game of baseball. His travels have taken him through 22 countries and into meetings with seven presidents. Lasorda was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1997, his first year of eligibility.

“His World Series titles and visibility across the globe are a reflection of his powerful presence to baseball fans,” Yoshino said, “young and old.”

Tickets for the dinner cost $75 and can be purchased by calling 425-564-2356. Lasorda will be available for autographs and pictures both before and after the dinner.

Joel Willits can be reached at 425-453-5045 or at jwillits@bellevuereporter.com.

Bellevue Community College will welcome one of professional baseball’s most recognizable faces when it hosts its annual Pre-Season Dinner later this month.

Legendary baseball manager Tommy Lasorda will speak at Bellevue Community College on Jan. 23, imparting his knowledge from almost 60 years in professional baseball. Lasorda, who won two World Championships, four National League pennants and eight division titles as the Los Angeles Dodgers manager, will be the keynote speaker at the dinner in what is believed to be his first speaking engagement in the Seattle area.

“We are ecstatic about having such a prominent figure in baseball here in the Northwest,” said Bellevue Community College baseball coach Mark Yoshino. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have someone of this magnitude come out to help put our baseball program in the spotlight even more.”

Lasorda managed the Dodgers for 20 seasons and is entering his 59th year with the organization this season, where he will serve his third year as special advisor to the chairman. In his current position, Lasorda serves as an advisor on all areas of the Dodger organization for owner and chairman Frank McCourt and vice chairman and president Jamie McCourt, as well as scouting, evaluating and teaching minor league players.

In 20 seasons as manager of the Dodgers, Lasorda compiled a record of 1,599-1,439 and currently ranks 13th in wins in Major League Baseball history.

“He’s one of the biggest all-time icons in the history of the game,” Yoshino said.

Besides his successes in the United States, Lasorda is one of the best-known international ambassadors of the game. Commissioner Bud Selig appointed Lasorda as the Official Ambassador of the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, where he traveled around the world promoting the game of baseball. His travels have taken him through 22 countries and into meetings with seven presidents. Lasorda was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1997, his first year of eligibility.

“His World Series titles and visibility across the globe are a reflection of his powerful presence to baseball fans,” Yoshino said, “young and old.”

Tickets for the dinner cost $75 and can be purchased by calling 425-564-2356. Lasorda will be available for autographs and pictures both before and after the dinner.