THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 30, 1996 TAG: 9607300452
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 42 lines
The year was 1968 and Bobby Valentine was the Los Angeles Dodgers' first-round draft pick and the fifth pick overall in the major league free agent draft when he met a man who would shape him as a professional, Ogden manager Tommy Lasorda.
So it was with some sorrow that Valentine watched Lasorda's retirement press conference on television Monday afternoon.
But Valentine also had an understanding as to why Lasorda, who sustained a heart attack five weeks ago, ultimately quit.
``Tommy Lasorda taught me the difference between right and wrong,'' Valentine said. ``He taught me the moralistic lesson of earning your money every day, not cheating the people who pay you and not cheating yourself.''
And that, Valentine said, is why he suspects Lasorda quit.
``Maybe he didn't think under the circumstances that he could do his best because he has such high demands of himself,'' Valentine said.
Valentine's early playing career had its share of Lasorda. He also played for Lasorda at Spokane in 1969 and 1970, with Valentine being named Pacific Coast League Player of the Year his second season there.
He also played for Lasorda for in the Arizona Fall Instructional League, in the Dominican Republic's winter league and in Venezuela.
Valentine believes the Los Angeles front office will opt for someone totally opposite of Lasorda.
``Because it's so difficult to follow him, I think the next guy will have a lot of leeway,'' Valentine said. ``The job will be made easier because people will realize how tough it is to equal him, both on and off the field.''
MOVING DAY?: The Tides will likely sent Jason Hardtke to Double-A Binghamton for the next three days to get some games in following a month on the disabled list with an injured knee.
Hardtke could rejoin the Tides Friday when they travel to Ottawa, at which time Jay Payton could join the Binghamton Mets for a week.
Due to elbow surgery, Payton is limited to designated hitter duties, and the Tides will play 12 consecutive games against National League affiliates, thus eliminating the DH.
He'll likely rejoin the Tides Aug. 10 when International League rosters expand from 23 to 25 players. by CNB