Former Los Angeles (LA) Dodgers coach Tommy Lasoda, a gift from Park Chan-ho, the first Korean major leaguer'Korean Special' and legend of the MLB, has passed away at the age of 93.



Former director La Soda died of a heart attack on the night of the 7th (local time), the Associated Press reported on the 8th.



In a statement, the Dodgers team announced that former manager La Soda had a heart attack at his home in Fullerton, California, and was urgently transferred to hospital but sentenced to death.



After being hospitalized for health problems in November last year, former director La Soda was treated in a hospital for about two months, recovered and discharged a few days ago, but, unfortunately, died.



Former coach La Soda, who took over as the Dodgers command tower in 1976, commanded the Dodgers for 21 years until he resigned from heart disease in 1996.



During his tenure as manager, he placed the Dodgers at the top of the World Series twice in 1981 and 1988, and won the National League Coach of the Year award twice.



Former manager La Soda led the Dodgers with 1,599 wins, 2 draws and 1,439 losses in 3,40 games in the 21st season.



He had a deep affection for the Dodgers, saying, "My veins have blue blood (the color of the Dodgers' symbol)."



Former coach La Soda joined the Dodgers in 1994 and built a special relationship by coaching Park Chan-ho, who became the first major leaguer as a Korean player.



Park Chan-ho, who achieved 124 wins as an MLB pitcher, considered former coach La Soda, who taught him both sides, as his stepfather.



Park Chan-ho recalled at an online conference held by the US non-profit Korea Society in June last year, "His grandfather, coach La Soda, treated him like a friend like his peers."



After resigning from the post as manager, former coach La Soda was raised to the Hall of Fame in 1997, and worked as an advisor to the club.



At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he was the national team coach and won the gold medal in the United States.



Former coach Lasoda was a pitcher when he was an MLB player, but he was not a prominent player.



However, walking on the path of a leader, we have strengthened our team with passionate leadership and relentless communication with players.



When he was a manager, he discovered many players in the minor leagues, raised them into major leagues, and produced 9 national league rookies.



"Rassoda was a great baseball ambassador and mentor to players and coaches," said Dodgers owner Mark Walter. "He always took the time to sign and talk for his fans." "(Everyone) will miss him very much." I mourned.



"No one has embody the Dodgers spirit as much as Rasoda," said Stan Kasten Dodgers president. "He was the champion who led the team to victory at the crucial moment." 



(Photo = Getty Image Korea)