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Golden moment Lasorda leads the way
It was a team no one thought they could beat. It was a medal no one thought they could win. But the American's did indeed beat the powerful Cubans 4-0 to win the gold medal in baseball. This was a team of unknowns managed by a man who was very well known, Tommy Lasorda. And CNNSI.com's Nick Charles had a chance to talk with Lasorda shortly after the United States won its most important game of the Games. Nick Charles: I'm with Tommy Lasorda who's waving an American flag, adding another honor Tommy to the long list of your storied career. How does this one compare? Tommy Lasorda: [Stares at the flag he's holding] Look at that flag, the symbol of freedom. The symbol for united. We can all be proud of this flag and what it represents. And I'll tell you something else, [I'm] proud of this team because they represented their country in a highest degree of class. They knew what they had to do. I told them that they were going to establish a legacy that whoever follows them in is going to have a tough, tough time to top it. And by golly, that's the way it turned out. Charles: Tommy, how much of this was driven by will? Naturally, there's ability here. But attitudes, destiny here? Lasorda: It was driven by will. These guys wanted it bad. They wanted to taste the fruits of victory. That's our theme after every game, "How sweet it is." The fruits of victory. Our theme was 'We didn't come 7,000 miles to lose'. We came to win. Charles: How good do you feel now, personally? We're talking World Series, we're talking Hall of Fame. Lasorda: This is bigger. Nick, it's bigger. And people think I'm wacky when I say this and I'll tell you why. Because when you win a World Series like we [the Dodgers] have, the Dodger fans are happy. The Cincinnati fans aren't. The San Francisco Giants fans aren't. But winning this thing? All of America is happy. The entire United States will be dancing in the streets. I told these guys, "Gentlemen, believe me when I tell you this, put this in your mind. That when this thing is all over, you're going to be known all over the world. Tonight, they will be known all over the world. Charles: Tommy Lasorda spent his 73rd birthday here in Australia. It couldn't have been a better one. Thanks. Lasorda: Thank you Nick. It's always great to see you Nick. I don't like you because you're Italian. I love ya, because I'm Italian. Charles: {Laughs and puts his arm around Lasorda].
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