GLENDALE : Lasorda Gives Anti-Drug Talk to 700 Students

Tommy Lasorda, who is well known for managing ballplayers on the base paths, on Thursday gave more than 700 youngsters some advice on how to walk the path of life.

As part of a weeklong schedule of anti-drug-themed events to commemorate Red Ribbon Week in the Glendale schools, the Dodgers’ manager told Rosemont Middle School students that to succeed in life, they must stick to the basics: hard work, respect and love for teachers and elders, and self-esteem. And along the way, avoid drugs and all their pitfalls.

“At some point in your life, someone’s going to walk up to you and offer you an illegal drug,” Lasorda told the students. “And if you are stupid enough to take it, you’re going to make the dumbest mistake of your life. It’s going to ruin your life, and I hope and pray none of you will allow it to happen.”

Lasorda, who has toured the country as a motivational speaker for years, said he imparts the same message wherever he goes, whether speaking to college graduates, cadets at the nation’s military academies or school children. He implored the students to set goals, work hard and take advantage of their education.

“One day when you’re 30 or 35 years old, you’re going to get up in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror,” Lasorda said. “If you can look in that mirror and you can honestly say, ‘I did everything to the best of my ability, every single day,’ you will be a very happy person and in most cases, a very successful person.”

Lasorda, who spoke for free, was invited by eighth-grader David Stockhamer, whose father, Barry Stockhamer, is vice president of the Dodgers.

Other events in the week’s anti-drug campaign at Glendale schools included the signing of “drug-free contracts” by students at Toll Middle School, a visit to Glenoaks Elementary School by a U. S. Customs agent and an anti-drug essay contest at Cerritos Elementary School.

After his pep talk, Lasorda drew students’ names out of a basket and gave away Dodger merchandise as prizes, including autographed baseballs and a jersey worn by catcher Mike Piazza.

“It was pretty cool,” said Matt DuPont, an eighth-grader who won a ball signed by shortstop Raul Mondesi. “But it was kind of embarrassing to go up there in front of all those people.”

Shortly after Lasorda’s appearance ended, the 3 p.m. bell rang for classes to be dismissed, and some students rushed into the parking lot to see if they could catch a glimpse of the Dodgers’ manager as he left the school.

“The kids really listened to what he had to say,” said Lois Neil, Rosemont’s principal. “Tommy’s in great demand as a motivational speaker, and we were very lucky to have him.”