Longtime actor Robert De Niro is in talks to play an iconic figure from Major League Baseball history in a film from Skydance Sports.
According to Deadline, sources say that De Niro has an opportunity to portray Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda for the upcoming film Tommy & Me. This film will feature a script from George Gallo, Cambron Clark and Reid Carolin. Deadline notes that Carolin is also on board to direct the film.
The exact plot remains unknown, but Lasorda’s life is full of stories worth telling. After all, he spent time pitching in MiLB and MLB alike, and he also served in the United States Army. Though a different actor would have to sign on for the earlier portions of his life.
A significant part would likely cover his time serving as manager of the Dodgers, a tenure that lasted from 1976-96. Lasorda led the Dodgers to four National League Pennants. He also led the team to two World Series titles.
This team had seven seasons with at least 90 wins and 10 with at least 80 wins. Lasorda won Manager of the Year two times while leading the Dodgers, and he led the club to an overall record of 1,599-1,439-3. This franchise posted a 31-30 record in the postseason.
Lasorda was named to the Hall of Fame in 1997 after his time with the Dodgers ended. He had his No. 2 jersey retired by the team.
The Hall of Famer may have stopped leading the Dodgers after the 1996 season, but he did not stop making an impact on professional baseball. He led the United States baseball team to a gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Tommy & Me would not mark the first time that De Niro has played a prominent person from sports history. Although he has mostly focused on the world of boxing.
He previously portrayed boxer Jake La Motta in 1980’s Raging Bull. He also played boxing trainer Ray Arcel in 2016’s Hands of Stone. De Niro also played a fictional retired boxer in 2013’s Grudge Match.
