More of the stuff Lasorda lives for
Pope John Paul I, born Albino Luciani, lasted only 33 days as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 28, 1978.
Another great Italian Catholic, former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, in his second year in charge of the team, was in the middle of a pennant race during that 33-day stretch. The Dodgers eventually won the NL West and went to the World Series, only to be defeated again by the Yankees.
Somehow, Lasorda met John Paul I.
At least, that's the story he and the Dodgers are going with, as a release came out today saying Lasorda (that's him, arms ready to grab someone, left) will be at the White House on Wednedsay (10:30 a.m.), at the request of President Bush, to help welcome Pope Benedict XVI (that's him, arms ready to grab someone, above) to the U.S. After that, Lasorda will also be at a dinner hosted by the Bush family tomorrow night.
The team's statement about the visit includes:
"Lasorda, who has frequently been called to serve in dignitary roles on numerous occasions for President Bush and Major League Baseball, has previously met two Popes, His Holiness Pope John Paul I and His Holiness Pope John Paul II. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will mark the third. Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at Dodger Stadium on September 16, 1987, halfway through Lasorda’s tenure as Dodger manager."
Not that we doubt the validity of it. But we do.
Considering the time frame of such a visit -- which would have had to be have been at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, since John Paul I didn't really get out much before his fatal heart attack (allegedly) ... And according to the 1978 schedule, the team had Sept. 5 off -- a rare rain-out at Dodger Stadium -- and Sept. 25, when they were flying from L.A. to start a series in Cincinnati ... where does that leave a visit?
Maybe Lasorda met his Italian friend in a pre-Papal existence? Maybe Lasorda was confusing it with a visit he had with former Philadelphia Phillies manager Paul Owens, known as "The Pope" in his days because of his resemblance to Pope Paul VI.
“I am truly honored to be invited to such a special occasion,” said Lasorda in a Dodger release about his honor this week. “It is humbling to be in such distinguished company. I just wish my parents could be alive to see this.”
As well as Pope John Paul I.
And when the time comes that Pope Benedict's reign is over, Lasorda can be asked up on to reflect about what a "tough, tough Pope" he was, as he did upon the passing of Pope John Paul II in 2005:
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