Tommy Lasorda Ignores Jack Johnson During Ceremonial Puck Drop [Video]

Los Angeles, CA — Tommy Lasorda dissed Jack Johnson of the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets during the ceremonial puck drop on Thursday night before a Los Angeles Kings home game.

Was Lasorda in a non-verbal way saying “puck you” to Johnson?

The occasion of the Tommy Lasorda-Jack Johnson “cold” shoulder was Los Angeles Dodgers Pride Night at the Staples Center. After the brief ceremony, Lasorda shook hands with Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown who was representing the home team in the ceremony, but completely ignored Johnson, a former Kings player who is a Blue Jackets captain. In the video below, you can see the smile on Johnson’s face, so he good-naturedly took the diss in stride. “Lasorda, on hand for the ceremonial puck drop, has probably looked happier on his way to see the proctologist than he did as he waddled out to center ice where Dustin Brown and Jack Johnson were waiting. He chatted briefly with the Kings’ captain, dropped the biscuit, shook hands with Brown… and then turned his back and walked away, completely blowing off the Blue Jackets’ Johnson.”

It is customary of course for the puck dropper to shake hands with players from both teams.

Johnson, a defenseman who made his debut with Los Angeles in March 2007, was traded away by the Kings in February 2012 and thereby missing being part of the Stanley Cup championship team. He was “relentlessly booed” during the Thursday night matchup, which was his first game back since the trade.

Baseball Hall of Famer Lasorda, 85, was the long-time manager of the MLB Dodgers. During his 20-years as skipper of the team, Lasorda won 1,599 games, two World Series, and four National League pennants. He ended his managerial career in 1996 shortly after suffering a heart attack.

Lasorda later explained why he snubbed Jack Johnson: “You do not talk to the opposition.”

The Kings won the hockey game against the Blue Jackets 2-1. The Kings also wore Dodger-themed jerseys during their pre-game warmup, and the gear will be auctioned off for charity.

Watch Tommy Lasorda ignore Jack Johnson during the ceremonial puck drop:

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