HEART OF THIS CHILD MADE LASORDA THINK OF HIS HEART.

Byline: Kathy Orton Daily News Staff Writer

Tenacious. Headstrong. Likes action. Has to be the center of attention. Doesn't sleep well.

Tom Lasorda? Nope, his granddaughter Emily Tess Goldberg.

``She's sort of just like her grandfather,'' said Laura Goldberg, Emily's mother. ``They get along great.''

So well, apparently, that the long-time Dodgers manager cited the 9-month-old as one of the reasons for his retirement.

``After the (heart attack), you begin to think of so many other things that are important,'' said Lasorda, his voice choking with emotion. ``I got to thinking about my little granddaughter and how I'd like to be around when she goes to school. I'd like to spend time with my wife and my daughter and my son-in-law.''

Since his release from the hospital, Lasorda and his wife, Jo, had several long talks. They discussed the things that mattered, like family. Like watching his granddaughter take her first steps. Like taking her to a Dodgers game. And how managing a baseball team might prevent all of that.

``The more I thought about it, the more I wondered about it (managing),'' Lasorda said. ``I thought about that wonderful family that God gave me sitting over there and I think that was the important thing.''

Emily, dancing on her grandmother's lap, prattled and giggled throughout the press conference, stealing the spotlight once again. When Lasorda met with the press following his release from the hospital, she was the media darling, playing with her floppy hat while her grandfather spoke.

``I think she played a big role,'' Jo said of her husband's decision to retire. ``She's precious. I'm sure she'll be (spoiled) rotten.''

Lasorda already dotes on his granddaughter. He buys her little outfits, takes her for walks in the stroller and sits on the floor playing with her.

``He doesn't hesitate to show her love,'' Goldberg said.

What gave Lasorda pause was his brief hospitalization in June. Although he has been cleared by the doctors to return to the dugout, the front office had a far greater appeal from a health standpoint.

``I think this was like a total surprise to us,'' Jo said. ``We never thought of him being sick. It was such a total shock to us.''

His heart attack brought home memories of friends who are now gone and the families they left behind.

``Don (Drysdale) had the same thing happen,'' Jo said. ``He isn't with us today. Those things make you think.''

In 46 years, Jo has rarely sat down to dinner with her husband. She's looking forward to sharing meals with him for years to come.

``I'm just so thankful that he's well and able to continue,'' said Jo, wiping away tears. ``This is all a miracle. Somebody up there likes us.''

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Photo

Photo: Tom Lasorda leaves Dodger Stadium with his wife, Jo, who played a major part in his decision to step down as manager.

Associated Press