"I Call Dodger Stadium - BLUE HEAVEN ON EARTH"  began a funny, yet motivational speech by Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Manager Tommy Lasorda. 

I was given an opportunity to go meet this legendary coach, and being a Dodger Fan my entire life, I was like "heck yes, let's go"!  So Grace bought the tickets for this fundraiser benefiting Valparaiso University's Baseball Team.  The Event had several hundred in attendance, included dinner, keynote address by Lasorda and autographs :)  I guess my greatest Baseball Memory to date only took 43 years, but it was well worth the wait!

VU Baseball Head Coach Tracy Woodson invited me to attend this fund raiser, and this will be a night I will always remember! Not only did I personally meet and shake the hand of Tommy Lasorda, I also met and talked with former MLB Stars such as V.U. Alumni  Lloyd McClendon (who played with the New York Mets, Cincinatti Reds, Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates), Mickey Morendini (Pirates, Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays) and Ron Kittle (Chicago White Sox, Yankees, Indians and Orioles).

What a funny man Lasorda is..funny and INTENSE! He shared some incredible stories about baseball and about life & success!  I want to share one story he told tonight that affected me personally, and has applications to any profession as well. He recalled the time when he 1st was hired by the Dodger Organization and he immediately began going to the media and telling everyone (media and players both) how he would beat the Reds in every game they played !  He was called in by the owner of the Dodgers and was questioned about these public tactics and his comment in return was : "We WILL beat them all year long and that is what I want myself and my team to profess and BELIEVE." Well it took only that year for the Dodgers to beat the Reds by 12 & 1/2 games...the moral of this story is quite simple... PROFESS IT, BELIEVE IT & SAY IT.... whatever  it is, if you want to succeed.  Repeat it and go DO IT.  YOU  have to BELIEVE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING, then State it as a GOAL!  So if you want to get 15 mortgages done - say you will.... If you want to get 10 listings - say you will..If you want to go on a vacation - say you will....and then go for it !

The personal stories Lasorda shared over the years in baseball were incredibly funny, but, his view of life and success came across as a strong image that will at least with me...last a life time. This was a night I will never forget.  Not only as it relates to baseball memories, but life lessons as well. His  last comment before he ended was so ture "There are 2 beings you can not fool -# 1. The person in the mirror and  #2. GOD. and you have to answer to both of them!

Not only was it a special night, hearing Lasorda speak, I was very happy to contribute to a worthy cause by being the highest bidder on an authentic signed baseball from current Los Angeles Dodger 3rd Baseman- Nomar Garciaparra. I also left with 2 signed baseballs and a signed bat all courtesy of Tommy Lasorda!

This was a baseball lovers "dream come true".

Written by Jeff Safrin

For Great Family Fun, Come on Out and Support The Valparaiso Crusaders BaseBall Games - 1st Home Game is on Friday, March 28th at 3:00pm CST at HOME on the Emory G. Bauer Field - hope to see you there :)

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Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin - REALTORS -"Spouses Selling Houses"TM - F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty

Serving Lake County, Porter County, La Porte County, Starke County, Jasper County and Newton County in NW Indiana

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