The Torre press conference- Pomp, circumstance, and pastry
I didn't cover the Dodgers when Grady Little was introduced as the manager, but I have a sneakin' suspicion it wasn't met with the same sort of pomp and circumstance as the presser Monday morning that introduced Joe Torre as the new Blue skip. This was a packed house, set up in center field, simulcast like a Presidential address on seemingly every television and radio network in town. In short, this was a big deal, and treated as such. The hot coffee and tea, given the chilly November morning (the pastries were a nice touch, too- makes me wonder if I got screwed at the refreshment free meet and greet to announce the signings of Juan Pierre and Randy Wolf) didn't hurt, either.
Lots of folks in the crowd. Local media, some national guys, more from New York. Plus, a ton of people from the organization (which helps explain the applause heard throughout the press conference). It was a little strange to watch the crew- Vin Scully, Frank and Jamie McCourt, Joe and Allie Torre, Ned Colletti- take the long walk from the infield to the podium. Everyone smiling, the McCourts holding hands (would have been interesting if they all did), all in stride, shoulder to shoulder. Very Reservoir Dogs. Torre's comments to the media at large weren't earth shattering, by any stretch. Some highlights:
- He admitted not knowing all that much about the National League, the roster he's inheriting, or what the Dodgers will need.
- Regarding the now famed rift between young and old players in the clubhouse, Torre didn't get specific, but talked about guys being on the same page. "We're all wearing the same uniform. It doesn't mean you have to go out and have dinner with someone every night, you don't have to invite them to your house," but when it comes to playing the game, everyone needs to be pulling the same direction. "So my job as manager is really all about communication."
- Torre said payroll dollars aren't the be all, end all. It matters, it makes things easier, but a team doesn't need $200 mil in salary to win.
- He's comfortable with A-Rod, and A-Rod is comfortable with him. "We have a good association. I think our relationship is fine."
- Torre has talked to Brad Penny (who was there representing the players today) and Jeff Kent, as well. "He seemed excited about the fact that I was becoming the manager. We spoke about some things, and I sensed- and I don't know Jeff Kent....- but I felt pretty upbeat and pretty positive that he was looking forward to coming back next year."
- Looking in '08 to build "a strong foundation." Again, he emphasizes developing lines of communication with players. "I'm available. My door is open, and it is. Whether it's me or my coaches, we're going to make sure there are no questions that have gone unanswered."
- He doesn't seem torn up to be leaving the New York media, just because of it's sheer volume.
Quote pulls from Colletti and Torre's meeting with the print media coming up soon.
BK
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i hope that torre gives playing time based on merit
he will know who deserves it.....i just hope we dont have to watch that platoon garbage again this year
i wonder if they will make a couple of trades to get rid of some of the extra outfielders
BK
what is delwyn young's natural position?
Posted by: dave m | November 05, 2007 at 08:35 PM
This is by far the happiest day in Dodgerland in a very, very, long time. The only negative thing about the entire situation is the McCourt's penchant for turning anything and everything into a dog and pony show. Torre acquitted himself very well, though, and if nothing else, he does add a whole lot of credibility, class, and professionalism to the ballclub, a combination the Dodgers haven't had very much of since 1996.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | November 05, 2007 at 11:05 PM
Dave,
Young started out at 2B, but because of his poor fielding (he has hands of stone), the Dodgers moved him to the outfield. He has a good arm so he could play either of the corner OF spots, but he's probably best suited to LF.
But, boy, can that guy hit. Right now in the Arizona Fall League he's hitting .524 Avg, .524 OBP, .810 SLG with an OPS of 1.33 in 6 games and 21 AB with 1 HR. At Las Vegas this year he hit .337 Avg, .417 OBP, .571 SLG with an OPS of .955 with 2 HR. In his September call-up, he hit .382/.417/.647 with an OPS of 1.064 with 17 HR. So the guy has no trouble with ML pitching. The problem is, we have no place for him right now. I suspect if we don't trade him, he'll start off on the bench, probably bumping Jason Repko out.
Posted by: Dodgers '81 | November 05, 2007 at 11:37 PM
Dave-
Dodger '81 summed it up nicely. It'll be interesting to see what happens if Young shows up at ST and just kills it. I think he's a fourth OF either way, but the problem is he's not good defensively, which makes it tough to put in regularly. But in the bigs, as a rule if you can hit, they'll figure out where to put you.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 05, 2007 at 11:47 PM
BK,
My sentiments exactly...we got to find him a spot
Posted by: K T USN | November 06, 2007 at 12:05 AM
KT-
I wasn't necessarily advocating for Young, only saying that if he hits he could force his way into the lineup. Bats tend to do that. He's shown the potential, but it's a little premature in my mind to say they have to create a regular OF spot for him.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 06, 2007 at 12:16 AM
Because of work, I didn't get to see Joe Torre's press conference this morning. What a pleasant surprise awaited me this evening. You expect Joe Torre to be a classy guy and handle the press well; after all, we've all seen him in all those press conferences after the Yankees have lost in the post-season in the last few years. Anybody who can handle the NY press following the Yankees being eliminated in the ALDS will find the LA press corps a piece of cake.
What struck me was how quickly he picked up on the Dodgers stated policy of developing the young players and how effortlessly he made this vision his own. I lost count on the number of times he mentioned "laying a foundation" for future greatness and talked about teaching the young players how to play the game the "right way." And respecting the uniform. Of how winning the World Series was an impossibly difficult thing to do, but with hard work, it's possible. And etc.
It would be easy to be cynical.
These types of platitudes are the coin of the realm in baseball. Managers always talk about fundamentals and of being on the same page and of going in the same direction. Torre is in a sense just mouthing the right words at the right time to please the owners and give the press something to jot down so they have enough to fill out their stories in time for their deadlines.
And yet what was astounding was how easily I found myself nodding in agreement. Coming from Torre they didn't just sound like the usual cliches managers say when they're first hired. I got the impression that Torre understands where the Dodgers want, and need, to go and knows how to get them there. It was a masterful performance, rather like watching Ian McKellan do Shakespeare.
And like a great actor, there was more than a little slight of hand at work. I suspect Torre has had some serious discussions with Colletti regarding who the Dodgers plan to keep and develop and who might be traded in the weeks ahead. Free agent names have been bandied about and which ones might be signed this off-season. I believe Torre was being somewhat ingenuous when he said he doesn't know his team yet. He may not have talked to all of his core players yet, but I'm certain he made more than cursory glance over the roster before agreeing to come to LA. The Dodgers may be a storied franchise but if we were as bad off as the Pirates I can't imagine he would have been in center field this morning.
As a former stage director, I'm always pleased to see a performance come together. It shows that the people involved in the production know how to create the effect in the audience they're striving for. You'd be amazed how rarely that happens in theater.
Posted by: Dodgers '81 | November 06, 2007 at 12:27 AM
BK, did you reverse Young's AAA and ML callup stats or just have a misprint on the HR number? I don't believe that Young hit 17 HRs in his callup action.
That being asked, I want to thank you for all of the information you and AK provide for us Dodger diehards. I have followed the Big Blue faithfully for 60 of my 69 years and, since I live in the east, have a hard time getting detail information on the Dodgers. You really fill a void, especially for those of us in the East.
I am excited about the immediate future and hope to see a team that plays more like the Boys of Summer than we have seen in many years.
Thanks!!!!
Posted by: Carl Creasman | November 06, 2007 at 03:17 AM
I can't believe it's Torre's first day on the job and he's already put out a REDIUCULOUS LINEUP. I mean Vin is too old to be leading off, and he wasn't even using cue cards. HOW MANY of these REDUICULOUS LINEUPS are we going to have to see all year. Everyone knows McCourt can't bat third, and why was Tommy kissing people when he should be batting CLEANUP... TOO MANY REDICULOIUS LINEUPS... already.
seriously, did Torre and McCourt shop at the same wife store?
Posted by: benzojones | November 06, 2007 at 06:10 AM
Hey Carl-
I actually didn't leave the comment w/ Young's stats, but yeah, something does look a little off there. But the point is the kid certainly can hit. And what I was saying was that if he hits enough, that sort of thing will often find you a spot in the lineup. Hopefully he's shagging a lot of balls this winter.
Thanks, too, for the nice note.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 06, 2007 at 08:21 AM
Dodgers '81
Well put post. I always enjoy reading what you have to say, not just because it is generally insightfult, but also because of the way you write it. As a writer myself, I apreciate good prose.
And I agree with your sentiments. The whole production, while a bit lavish, eased many of my anxieties after this past season. Torre handled himself like the proven vet he is and I have very little (pardon the pun) doubt that he will help this team right the ship.
I am also relieved to hear all of the talk about the kids. As a fan of all the young guns the Dodgers have brought up in the past two seasons, I would rather see them given a chance rather than trade them away for guys who are not our own. All the focus on building a foundation leads me to believe that management, from the top down, would like to see this too.
While the A-Rod potential is a bit scary (10+ years!!!), I would rather sign him simply because we will not be giving up talent to get him. Santana, Willis, Cabrera et al, are damn fine ball players, but at what cost?
Posted by: nick | November 06, 2007 at 10:45 AM
BK,
Sorry for the attributing the error in Young's stats to you. I just re-read the entry before I got down to your replay and realized my mistake. Again, sorry about that. I do agree that it looks like he is a hitter and I also feel that we have been too reluctant to let the young guys have a chance. Personally, I would rather go with the youth and grow with them as opposed to some of the retreads we have been saddled with in recent years.
Posted by: Carl Creasman | November 06, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Carl,
My bad, I apologize. Young hit 17 HR down in the minors and 2 HR in his Sept. call-up. The line numbers are still correct. If Young had hit 17 HR in September he'd be our starting LF next season.
Posted by: Dodgers '81 | November 06, 2007 at 09:56 PM
Nick,
Personally, I'm opposed to signing A-Rod (though less so than before we signed Joe Torre as our new manager). I still think A-Rod would be more of a distraction than a help for the Blue next year.
I've changed my mind on Cabrera, though. Trading for him will cost us about 3 or 4 very good players, but we could sustain the loss and still field an excellent team without any holes at any position other than the one Juan Pierre has next year. But getting Cabrera would be worth it. He's one of the top 5 hitters in the major leagues and only 24 to boot. People like him don't come cheap.
And thanks. I do my best.
Posted by: Dodgers '81 | November 06, 2007 at 10:04 PM