LASORDA GETS ANGIOPLASTY, UPBEAT REPORT.

Byline: Eric Noland Daily News Staff Writer

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda, after suffering a mild heart attack, underwent an angioplasty Wednesday to open a partially blocked coronary artery, but his doctors insist his medical condition will not force him to retire.

``At this point, we're looking at Tommy Lasorda as actually healthier than he was a few days ago,'' Dr. Michael Mellman, a member of the Dodgers' medical staff, said of the 68-year-old Lasorda. ``I would look at this more optimistically because he had problems and they've now been taken care of.''

Still, Dr. Anthony Reid, the cardiologist who performed the procedure Wednesday morning at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, said Lasorda is ``very fortunate. It could have been very serious. We caught it in the nick of time, so to speak.''

Lasorda remained hospitalized Wednesday night in the intensive-care unit at Centinela Hospital and was said to be in excellent spirits. He could be transferred out of the ICU as early as today but will remain hospitalized for a few days, Reid said.

The prospects for Lasorda's return to his managerial duties with the Dodgers are less certain. He will not join the team on a road trip that begins today at Colorado and will conclude next Wednesday at San Diego, doctors said.

In his absence, Coach Bill Russell will manage the team on an interim basis.

Lasorda, in his 20th season managing the Dodgers, has the longest continuous tenure of any manager in Major League Baseball. He has no history of heart trouble, the doctors said.

Lasorda attended a banquet Sunday evening and later experienced sharp abdominal pains, which prompted him to seek treatment the next morning.

Dr. Stephen Parnell, a gastroenterologist, said he diagnosed a superficial ulcer, perhaps brought on by medication Lasorda has been taking for his chronically arthritic knees. But Parnell and Mellman felt Lasorda's pain exceeded what should have been expected with the ulcer, and additional tests were scheduled.

Reid's examination Wednesday revealed a small amount of heart-muscle damage, he said, and what he termed a ``significant'' blockage of the distal right coronary artery. Reid opened the artery with a balloon catheter.

``We had an excellent result,'' Reid said. ``There were no complications. I would say the outlook is very, very good.''

The Dodgers players were told of their manager's condition in a closed-door meeting late Wednesday afternoon. Russell said the news caused an audible gasp in the room.

``It's sort of been a roller coaster the last few days,'' said first baseman Eric Karros. ``But, fortunately, they said the surgery was a success.

``Probably the toughest part for Tommy now is that he's going to have to rest.''

Has the irrepressible Lasorda asked the medical staff for a prospective date for his return to the dugout?

``Oh, my goodness,'' said Mellman, ``Tommy has given us dates.''

Fred Claire, the Dodgers' executive vice president, agreed that Lasorda will be champing at the bit to get back. But, Claire said, ``I'm not going to make any move without having direction from the medical staff. There isn't anything more important than Tommy's health. We will not do anything that jeopardizes that.''

The portly Lasorda has a well-documented passion for exotic foods - in considerable quantities - and often after games can be found in his office shoveling pasta, pork chops or pizza into his mouth. Also, he is fond of pitching batting practice in the heat of midafternoon.

``He may have to stop putting hot pepper on his food and pitching batting practice,'' Karros said, ``but I don't see Tommy letting anything stop him from being out here.''

Mellman said that Lasorda's condition ``certainly is lifestyle-related, and there are some changes that will be recommended.'' He added, however, that ``I think he's quite capable of handling the stresses of his job.''

Russell said he didn't anticipate that Lasorda would balk at altering his diet and exercise regimen. ``To a hitter,'' Russell said, ``Tommy always says, `The pitcher is trying to send you a message. Open it up and read it.' Well, his body is sending him a message.''

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PHOTO Tom Lasorda

Heart artery unclogged