Lasorda’s Cuban memories

On the day that Fidel Castro announced he would step down as president of Cuba, former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda recalled the day the communist ruler came into power.

Then a left-handed pitcher, Lasorda was playing for Almendares of the Cuban league in the winter of 1958-59 and he spent that New Year’s Eve partying with teammates.

“We came out at 3:30 in the morning and there were three planes flying overhead,” Lasorda said.

Lasorda later found out that on those planes were Cuban president Fulgencio Batista, his family and close associates.

Batista, learning that his army had fallen to rebels under the command of Che Guevara in the Battle of Santa Clara, was fleeing to the Dominican Republic.

Trivia time

Lasorda pitched in the majors in 1954-56, appearing in 26 games including six starts. How many did he win?

Eye opening

David Lennon, New York Mets beat writer for Newsday in Florida to cover spring training, watched Pedro Martinez throw a bullpen session Tuesday and noticed something amiss.

“It appeared to go well, except for the three pitches he threw over the head of catcher Dave Racaniello,” Lennon wrote on his blog.

Later, he found out what was going on.

“He was throwing with his eyes closed,” Lennon wrote. “Martinez actually threw 15 with his eyes shut and only missed with three. Not bad.

“Turns out it’s just another [pitching coach] Rick Peterson mind trick. Score another one for Jedi mound master.”

Young scholar

Vince Young is back at the University of Texas, this time to finish work on his degree.

The Tennessee Titans quarterback is taking 12 hours this semester, two years after leaving school with a year of remaining athletic eligibility.

Young, still revered at Texas for leading the Longhorns to the 2005 national championship, has caused quite a stir with his return to campus.

“The kids, they’re shocked,” Young said. “One day I walk into class to a standing ovation and my teacher -- she’s from UCLA -- she was like ‘What’s going on?’ I guess she thought the applause was for her.”

Young said it’s taking time re-adjusting to life as a student.

“I’ve been making some good B’s right now. I’ve been making some high B’s. Hopefully the A’s are coming,” he said.

Fish tale

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will induct four new members this week, among them Nick Creme, who may be the most important pioneer in the history of fishing.

In 1949, Creme invented the rubber fishing worm.

Super sod

The grass field on which the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium is being donated by the Arizona Cardinals to a nearby high school.

Moon Valley High in North Phoenix will install approximately 75,000 square feet of turf at its Rocket Stadium.

“This field brought a lot of good fortune to the New York Giants at University of Phoenix Stadium, but I’m told there is plenty left for all the teams that will play on it here in Moon Valley,” Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill said.

Trivia answer

None. His career record was 0-4 with one save in 58 1/3 innings.

And finally

The way Lasorda tells it, Castro, a baseball fan, wanted to meet him shortly after he victoriously rolled into the Cuban capital. Lasorda obliged, taking an American scout with him to Castro’s suite in the Havana Hilton to talk baseball.

Lasorda’s initial impression: “I thought he was a good man.”

Of course, Castro probably thought Lasorda was a good pitcher.

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Times staff writer Dylan Hernandez contributed to this report.

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peter.yoon@latimes.com