Joe-dio

CLIP TWO: (Download joe_torre_1.17 2.mp3) Torre on Pierre's consecutive games streak.  He tells the story about having Matsui's streak in New York, and managing Dale Murphy's in Atlanta.  With Murphy, he indicated Ted Turner mandated Murphy play every day.  Here? 

"I would check and see how important it is to the player first.  I know with Matsui, that's what I did with him... but as I say, the American League it's a little easier (to preserve them).  It wasn't (a part of his conversation with Pierre).  First off, you're loyal to the team first, then your loyalty trickles down to the individual.  And you assume, and I do assume, that the individuals you're talking to are more concerned about the team, too."

Torre said he wasn't sure about the notion of a platoon, and it's something he'll have to work out in the spring.  He emphasized defense is important for a team that is built on pitching first, as the Dodgers, are, defense is certainly a consideration.  He's not all that worried about Pierre's arm:

"It is what it is.  The thing about the arm is you can offset what weaknesses you may have by how quickly you get to the ball.  I think that stops runners more than anything else, is how quickly the outfielder gets to the ball... You do what you can with what you have."

Young players, Torre said, bring a lot of energy to the club, and it'll be important for him.  The notion that he's never coached young guys is a little overrated.  While the Yankees had become much older over his tenure, they didn't start out that way, and the best Yankees teams had a mix of younger and older guys.  I certainly don't worry about his ability to handle the youth on the team. 

"The only thing we're trying to stress right now is making this ballclub grow, and hopefully making a good foundation.  Start there."

CLIP THREE: (Download joe_torre_1.17 3.mp3) The subject of the young players comes up, and Torre again notes he hasn't really met many of them (for example, his first introduction to Kemp was Thursday).  Or anyone else, for that matter.  Still, he's very intrigued by the talent:

"When you're talking to other teams, other teams are asking for your players, and unlike probably a lot of teams, it's not jsut one or two guys.  That intrigues me, and I think that's a great compliment to the organization is that there are a lot of players that other teams are interested in.  That's what makes Spring Training pretty exciting to me."

Torre again talked about how the history- his history- with the Dodgers was such an important factor in his taking the gig.  But now that he's here, he needs to get to know his players, something that'll happen in Vero. 

"It's uncomfortable, because you want to make sure you give everyone quality time.  And it takes a little time before you know them by sight, and try to get to know their personalities...  There's always two or three guys that look alike, and you get them mixed up, but it's remarkable how after a couple of weeks it seems like you've been there a long time."

CLIP FOUR: (Download joe_torre_1.17 4.mp3) Torre talks about Hong-Chih Kuo and his injury issues, as well as the challenges Hideki Kuroda faces, even as a veteran, coming over to pitch in the US. Still, he's very excited to have him:

"He was very important for us to sign.  33 years old doesn't bother me.  When you're 67, 33 doesn't bother you.  He knows how to pitch.  And the things you don't see on paper is what's inside someone... This guy's a competitor.  Everything I've heard about him, I'm certainly looking forward (to having him). 

Torre was asked about Takashi Saito, and not surprisingly, he had nothing but good stuff to say about him.  From there, he was asked about the Spring Training roadie... to China (and you thought it was a haul from Vero to Winter Haven?):

"We're going to take a representative group... I think the group over in China is going to be pleased, and Major League Baseball is going to be pleased with the group we sent over.  We certainly need to leave players back in Vero, too.  We represent the Dodgers in Vero, too.  But I think we're going to have good representation on both sides."

I asked if it was the sort of trip guys might lobby their way on or off?

"A few years ago we went to Japan, and we had some gripers... but they understand that somebody has to make a decision, and you're part of a team and you have to make a move.  You'd like everyone to be pleased with the decision being made... but I don't anticipate it's going to be a big problem." 

We'll have more audio from Thursday over the next couple of days.

BK