Dodgers World Series Hero Dies Of Coronavirus

LOS ANGELES, CA — Jay Johnstone, whose game-tying home run against the Yankees propelled the Dodgers to their World Series victory in 1981, has died of COVID-19 complications at the age of 74.

The West Covina native was a fan favorite, famous for playing pranks on former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda. He played 20 seasons in the the major leagues, winning the World Series with the Dodgers and the Yankees. He spent years playing for both the Dodgers and the Angels.

"Jay Johnstone's spunky spirit and zest for life will never be forgotten. Rest in peace to the two-time World Series champ," the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association posted Monday on Facebook.

Johnstone, who attended Edgewood High School, played his first five seasons with the California Angels, and parts of four seasons with the Dodgers. His greatest success came playing for the Dodgers and the Yankees, on each side of the famed rivalry.

His pinch-hit homer in Game 4 of the 1981 World Series fueled a raucous 8-7 victory for L.A. at Dodger Stadium, as the team came back from a 2-0 games deficit to vanquish the Yankees in six games.

He was also a notorious prankster who loved getting the goat of Lasorda, once sneaking into the manager's office and replacing Lasorda's beloved celebrity photos with pictures of himself and fellow players Jerry Reuss and Don Stanhouse.

Johnstone played in 1,748 regular season games in his career, finishing with a .267 batting average and 102 home runs.

"The Dodgers are saddened by the passing of former Dodger Jay Johnstone and offer their deepest condolences to his family and friends," the team tweeted Monday afternoon.

Fans also tweeted their memories of the late Dodger.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.