Dodgers name Lasorda special adviser to owner

LOS ANGELES -- Hall of Famer Tom Lasorda, the only manager in baseball history to win a World Series and an Olympic gold medal, has been appointed special adviser to Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.

Lasorda, 77, is beginning his 56th season in the Dodgers organization. He was named a vice president in 1996, following his retirement as the team's manager, and promoted to senior vice president two years later.

Lasorda succeeded Hall of Famer Walter Alston as manager on Sept. 29, 1976. The Dodgers had a 1,599-1,439 record and won two World Series, four National League pennants and eight division titles during his managerial career. He was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1997, his first year of eligibility.

Lasorda managed the U.S. Olympic baseball team to the gold medal in the 2000 Games in Sydney.

"We will utilize his incomparable talents and keen mind on many varied subjects," McCourt said in a statement Friday.