5 Freeway stretch in Fullerton named for Tommy Lasorda
Hall of Fame Dodgers great Tommy Lasorda officially will have a stretch of the 5 Freeway dedicated in his name today.
The California legislature passed a bill in 2021 to designate a section of the freeway in Fullerton as the Tommy Lasorda Memorial Highway.
Lasorda lived in Fullerton since the Dodgers headed west in 1958. During his long career, he won two world championships, four National League championships, eight division titles and 1,599 games.
“Fullerton held a very special place in Tommy's heart, and we know how proud he would be to be standing here today,” Stan Kasten, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers, said in a statement.
The bill honoring Lasorda was authored by Los Angeles and Orange County representative, Assemblymember Sharo Quirk-Silva, also a former Fullerton councilmember.
“Tommy Lasorda embodied the spirit and love of the game of baseball, dedicating his life to the game by managing one of the most successful baseball franchises and encouraging the success of his players,” Quirk-Silva said in a statement. “It was Lasorda's humanitarianism and spirit of goodwill toward kids everywhere that made him a legend.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers partnered to help fund this permanent memorial in Fullerton, which will include a sign on the southbound 5 Freeway before Lincoln Avenue and northbound 5 Freeway before Ball Road.
The ceremony this morning will serve as the kickoff to the West Fullerton Little League opening ceremonies at James Carter Field. Lasorda's daughter Laura and Dodgers great Eric Karros are expected to attend.
Karros, who played for Lasorda for 14 years, was also at a 2021 city of Fullerton celebration of Lasorda.
“Everything he touched, he was all in,” the former first baseman said at the time. “Off the baseball field, people don't realize the impression he made, the people that he touched. I'm forever grateful that I was able to cross paths with Tommy Lasorda.”