Your new Manager: Joe Torre!
It's official! Joe Torre will helm the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008. Obviously, there will be more news to come, which we'll bring to ASAP. In the meantime, BK and I are talking about this on "The Big Show with Mason and Ireland," sitting in for John Ireland. 710espn.com, if you'd like to listen in. And we'd love if you did.
(UPDATE: We'll continue to throw out some more articles and opinions starting tomorrow morning- it's been a LONG day- but a few links about this historic day are certainly in order. As evidenced by an old school photo - and an odd one at that- Joe Torre's got some serious New York roots. But that background includes time spent in Brooklyn, meaning the 26th Dodger skip's respect for this franchise comes huge by birth, if often with gritted teeth. Some other Apple residents, including Don Mattingly, are expected to follow their leader, but will they taking his lead into a-not-so promising situation? Bottom line. Torre's got the credentials, but he doesn't have his historically rich talent on hand to do some real damage. Some are passing on the Kool Aid and partaking in a vinegar martini.)
-AK
Below is the press release.
DODGERS NAME JOE TORRE
26TH MANAGER IN FRANCHISE HISTORY
Future Hall of Famer hired to pilot Los Angeles in 2008
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that Joe Torre has been named the club’s field manager through the 2010 season. Torre becomes the 26th manager in franchise history.
“Joe Torre is one of the most respected men in the game of baseball,” said Dodger Owner and Chairman Frank McCourt. “As a player, a broadcaster, a manager and in his life off the field, Joe is a winner through and through. As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Dodgers moving to Los Angeles, we will again have a Hall of Fame caliber manager at the helm. Joe’s dedication, desire and ability will help lead the Dodgers to our ultimate goal – a World Championship.”
Torre becomes just the eighth manager in Los Angeles Dodger history, following Hall of Famers Walter Alston (1954-76) and Tommy Lasorda (1977-96), Bill Russell (1996-98), Glenn Hoffman (1998), Davey Johnson (1999-2000), Jim Tracy (2001-05) and Grady Little (2006-07).
“Few managers in the history of the game have accomplished what Joe has delivered,” said General Manager Ned Colletti. “Throughout his career he has demonstrated the ability to turn a vision for success into results on the field and we welcome his passion and leadership. We have tremendous fans and they deserve no less.”
Torre, 67, has a 26-year Major League managerial record of 2,067-1,770 (.539) and ranks eighth all-time in victories among Major League managers, having passed former Dodgers Leo Durocher (2,009) and Alston (2,040) last season. Torre has more postseason victories (76) than any manager in Major League history.
“Having grown up in Brooklyn, I have a great understanding of the history of the Dodger organization and I am committed to bringing a World Championship back to Los Angeles,” said Torre. “I consider it an honor to be a part of this organization, which is one of the most storied franchises in all of sports.”
Over the past 12 years, Torre posted a .605 winning percentage (1,173-767) and guided the Yankees to 12 consecutive postseason appearances, 10 American League Eastern Division titles, six American League pennants and four World Championships, including three consecutive titles from 1998-2000. He was named the AL’s Manager of the Year in 1996 and again in 1998 when the team won 114 games.
Prior to managing the Yankees, Torre piloted the Mets (1977-81), Braves (1982-84) and Cardinals (1990-95) and was named the Associated Press Manager of the Year in 1982 when he guided Atlanta to the National League Western Division title. Torre served as a broadcaster for the California Angels from 1985-90.
As a player, Torre was a nine-time All-Star, former Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner (1965) and National League Most Valuable Player (1971). He hit .297 with 252 career home runs and 1,185 RBI in 2,209 games as a catcher, third baseman and first baseman for the Braves, Cardinals and Mets. His 1971 MVP campaign included a career-high .363 batting average, 230 hits, 137 RBI and 352 total bases.
The Brooklyn native has been a dedicated member of each community in which he has played or managed and has been honored for his work in that regard. He and his wife, Ali, inaugurated the Joe Torre “Safe at Home” Foundation in 2002 to aid in the prevention and awareness of domestic violence.
A press conference will be held Monday, November 5 at 10 a.m. (PST) at Dodger Stadium.
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Although I am happy for Joe Torre, as a Yankee fan I hate seeing him doning another team's hat. Joe Torre will always be a Yankee and a TRUE New Yorker!
Posted by: Rene Perez | November 01, 2007 at 04:34 PM
Great so when is he going to hit home runs...Oh wait he doesn't hit home runs or pitch...Now he'll probably want a bunch of more veterans and Kemp and Loney will be back in the Minors to start the season...This is the same moron who wanted to sit Derek Jeter for Luis Sojo (or a bag of socks...whatever) His rookie season...Can't wait to be predicted to finish first and placing fourth again...Morons!!!!!
Posted by: Jamaal | November 01, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Yeah!!
Obviously not the end of our problems but a great step forward.
I think he'll be a great guy for our team. Brings so much baseball knowledge to impart to our young guys. Hopefully a great coaching staff follows Joe as well. A new outlook for all involved for 08. Thats gotta be refreshing for our guys- rookies & veterans alike.
If we can pull together a couple more pieces to fill some of those holes....who knows?
Great how the National League West just keeps getting better and better. Two years ago we were the laughing stock of baseball. Now we've got 4 great young teams fighting it out. (Torre can only help us in this regard- as hes used to fighting it out in the AL East.) Who knows maybe the NL West will become the next Al East!?
Posted by: jukuren | November 01, 2007 at 05:12 PM
I never pictured Larry Bowa in a Dodger uniform. What a strange feeling.
Posted by: hashpipe | November 01, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Welcome Joe Torre! I hope you bring us Championships.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 01, 2007 at 05:17 PM
this is a great going for the dodgers and will be a great challenge for the angels...i am a angel fan and L.A deserve a great game between both coaches and players....I am glad that i haven't move yet and california will have greater odds to receive a world title once again...and to the dodgers fan i hope this will courage more excitement to the game and enjoyment of a wonderful game...thanks u baseballs
Posted by: Alberto Dominguez | November 01, 2007 at 05:18 PM
Wouldn't it be funny if Aryan turned out to be Joe Torre?
Posted by: benzojones | November 01, 2007 at 06:52 PM
I grew up in NY and have been a Yankees fan all my life, but starting today I am now a DODGERS fan!! Is it April yet?
Posted by: Jenn | November 01, 2007 at 06:54 PM
It's about time!
You spend money on a great coach now go and get a great player. As excited as I am for the young players that the Dodgers have (Martin, Loney, Kemp, Ethier) that's still not enough. They need a great player, one who plays third base no matter the cost which is easy for me to say 'cause it's not my money, so I'll say it again whatever the cost.
Otherwise this team just becomes Phil Jackson with the Lakers.
Posted by: dcerros | November 01, 2007 at 07:09 PM
Hey K Bros.,
GREAT job on the 710am "Big Show" tonight. Listening to you guys made the drive home a whole lot better!!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/76/WKRP_Les_and_Johnny.jpg/250px-WKRP_Les_and_Johnny.jpg
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | November 01, 2007 at 07:48 PM
Aside from Joe Torre, here's some news about Delwyn Young. It really appears that this guy is a serious hitter.
http://dodgers.scout.com/2/696944.html
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | November 01, 2007 at 08:11 PM
"Welcome Joe Torre! I hope you bring us Championships."
Funny, I felt the same way when Phil Jackson first came back to the Lakers.
mike
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | November 01, 2007 at 09:31 PM
BENZO,
WHO TOLD YOU!!!!!.......LOL
Anyway did anyone check out TJ SIMERS article ( I think it was on Oct. 31)
He said.......
"Dodgers fans never did embrace Little, which really doesn't speak well of Dodgers fans"
Are you kidding me?....Were supposed to embrace a guy who put out SOOOO MANY RIDIUCLOUS LINEUPS?.....Was he not aware of h ow many times this moron of a manager benched guys that desereved to play or were hot?.....Or how many times he put out lineups that made you wonder what the blank is wrong with him?
He also said:
"Little was also Forrest Gump and an easy sap to blame for all that continues to go wrong with what has become a second-rate organization"
I mean come on does he think were that stupid that we just blame him because hes easy to slap around?.......What kinda moron is this writer?.......We "slapped" him around because he made so many nutty lineups and in-game decisions!!
He also said:
"Many of his managerial moves were second-guessed, fans buying the team's annual hype that it was better than it was performing, thus, the manager must be to blame"
Ok so on one hand he admits that his moves were second guessed, but then on the other hand he makes it seem like we were all just blaming him because we got suckered into the idea that the Dodgers were better then they really are......I mean what the hell is wrong with this writer?.......SOME OF US FANS know our Dodgers. Were not casual fans who just assume the Dodgers are good because management tells us there good......And we didnt blame Grady the moron Little because he "MUST BE TO BLAME".............is this writer for real?
He also said:
"But try to win with Bill Mueller at third for a day or so, or without Jason Schmidt pitching, or Juan Pierre playing center field"
COMMMMMMMMMME ON!!!!!.......Bill Mueller was hardly used.....And yes Jason Schmidt was injured, but we still had good pitching, and one pitcher doesnt make or break the season........and about JUAN PIERRE......ok......now im really annoyed.......I mean Grady is the manager!!!......He made the decision to play his second son JUAN PIERRE and he rarley ever benched him.............instead........he platooned MATT KEMP & ANDRE EITHIER..........even when JUAN PIERRE WAS DOING BAD, Grady Little usually stuck with him.................and yet this TJ SIMERS is acting like Grady had no choice???..........
.What kinda moron is TJ SIMERS
Posted by: Aryan Sood | November 01, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Thanks DBB!
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 01, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Dodger Blue Balls,
Interestingly enough, BK actually wore a bow-tie to our appearance in an effort to channel his inner "Les Nesman."
Thanks for the nice words.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 01, 2007 at 11:23 PM
Brooklyn Dodger,
I've been saying that about young since they first brought him up at the end of last season....We got to get this kid in the line-up
Posted by: K T USN | November 01, 2007 at 11:26 PM
KT,
I agree. How about trading Pierre (yes, I think there is a team out there willing to take on a .290 - .300 hitter who can steal 50 -60 bases). Maybe the Dodgers would have to pick up a piece of the remaining 4 years on Pierre's contract, but it would still save them money, and be well worth it. Kemp could move to center, Ethier plays right, and Young in left. Works for me. Question is, does this work for Ned and the newly arrived Joe Torre? Only time will tell.
There is of course a caveat to the above. We still don't know very much about Young's defense. From what I understand, it's not stellar. But I'd be happy with adequate. Certainly his arm couldn't be any worse than Pierre's. Also, as with any rookie, we also don't know how he would play out over a full season in the big leagues. That aside, I'm willing (but are the Dodgers?) to find out.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | November 02, 2007 at 08:39 AM
Torre is good first step, but LA still needs a power bat in the lineup (A-Rod, A. Jones or T. Hunter will do) and another pitcher (C. Schilling or trade for J. Santana). Wihtout those two key pieces it may be another long season. Nevertheless, its a good start.
Posted by: steve | November 02, 2007 at 09:48 AM
Unlike a lot of Dodgers fans, I've been watching the Yankees for the last three years hoping to catch a World Series Championship. And I have been brutally disappointed. So disabuse yourselves of even a certain playoff berth. Phil Jackson had at least finished his Bull's career with a Championship. Torre is burned out. He made some crucial misjudgments during critical games in playoff series. I can't see how Derek Jeter can stand the sight of him. And look how reluctantly, he puts on the Dodger cap and jersey. What a disgrace for L.A. and N.Y. ! Only A-Nod at the plate can tolerate him.
Posted by: nancy | November 05, 2007 at 12:36 PM