Torre Admits Umps Missed The Call Last Night

From Mark Feinsand:

Major League Baseball acknowledged that umpires muffed the home run call in the Yankees’ 5-4 loss to the Royals Wednesday night, but given that Joe Girardi opted not to file a protest, there’s nothing that can be done about it.

“The game is over and that’s what it is,” MLB executive VP of baseball operations Joe Torre told the Daily News on Thursday. “It’s unfortunate. Everyone had to cooperate to make it a one-run game.”

...

The mistake was the result of DeMuth’s interpretation of the ground rules at Kauffman Stadium, which underwent structural renovations prior to the 2009 season.

“It was a missed call, but there was also a misunderstanding on the rule,” Torre said. “He just missed it, but his interpretation was that the back fence was behind the wall and out of the ballpark. It certainly wasn’t for a lack of doing his job, just a misunderstanding of the rule.”

...

“This man works very hard at what he does,” Torre said. “His interpretation was that the back screen, which is behind the wall, is behind the wall. To him, that meant it was out of the ballpark. He was wrong and there was a price to pay to learn that lesson.”

Torre stressed that the instant replay system did not fail despite the blown call.

“The replay gave him every look that he needed to make the right call,” Torre said. “He thought he did make the right call. This isn’t an umpire not doing his job. That was his understanding of the rule when he’s umpired there and nothing had happened to change his mind until last night.”

Doesn't really do us much good now, but at least MLB is admitting the mistake. Still, it would have been nice to see how that game had played out without the gift homer.

Bernie & Torre React to DJ3K

Bernie Williams via Bernie51.com:

“Congratulations Jete on number 3000. I wish I could have been at the Stadium today, but I was certainly glued to the TV in my hotel room in Arizona. In true Jeter fashion, you did not limp into the 3000 hit club, but absolutely blew the doors off of it. I celebrate with you, your family and friends, all your teammates through the years, the Yankee organization, and baseball fans around the world. While the home run for number 3000 is what everyone will remember from this day…knowing you…you probably are more satisfied with that eighth inning single up the middle that won the game. I was privileged to have the best seat in the house to see the majority of those 3000 hits, and so many of your greatest moments, and while today is yet another one of those moments to add to your amazing career in pinstripes, I know there is still a lot more to come. Just exhale, enjoy it, and know what an honor it was to be your teammate for so many years. Tonight, my last song is dedicated to you my friend.”

Joe Torre, who was in the ballpark, via the NYDN:

"Section 121-B," Torre said, smiling. "It was pretty cool."

...

"I just told him how proud I was," Torre said. "It was great to see. I guess I can say nothing surprises me with what he does. He's always been special. ... He's always been the guy who's been able to rise to the occasion. And this is not an easy city to play in.

"I learned early on in my stay here that he certainly knew what he was here to do and his priorities were always in order," Torre added. "I'm just very proud of what he's done, proud for him and for myself. I saw most of the hits."

One that must have looked familiar to Torre was Jeter's fourth hit - a liner to right field, a longtime Jeter trademark. "Hadn't seen much of that lately," Torre said. "That was pretty good."

...

"I don't think it could've been scripted any better - Yankee Stadium, day game, Saturday afternoon, playing one of your division rivals and the best pitcher on their staff out there," Torre said.

Sights and Sounds From Old-Timers' Day

Highlights from the entire ceremony:

Bernie's Introduction:

Piniella's Introduction:

Torre's Intoduction:

Torre Visits Yankees Camp

From Marc Carig:

The process of reconciliation between Joe Torre and the Yankees reached another important step today, when the former manager said he will accept an invitation to participate in the annual Old-Timers’ Day festivities June 26 at Yankee Stadium.

“I don’t know if I’m letting the cat out of the bag, but I was invited back for Old-Timers’ Day,” Torre said. “If I did let the cat out of the bag, maybe they’ll withdraw the invitation. But, yeah, I’m planning on it.”

...

He spent time in Joe Girardi’s office — his old spot — while also visiting with general manager Brian Cashman. Torre also caught up with Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Russell Martin, a catcher during his tenure with the Dodgers.

...

“It does feel strange,” Torre said. “But it feels good.”

...

“You wish the time I left that it could have ended differently, but I don’t know how it could have,” said Torre. “I don’t know if any one of us knew how to say goodbye at that point in time.”

Maybe now all those bitter Torre-hating fans can get over his book. It seems like the Yankees have.

As you probably know, it never bothered me. In fact, I liked the book a lot.

Anyway, it's nice to see Torre back at Yankees camp and it will be even better to see him back at The Stadium in Pinstripes on Old-Timers' Day.

Cash and Torre Finally Bury the Hatchet

From Mark Feinsand:

Consider the fences mended.

Joe Torre came to the Bronx to pay tribute to George Steinbrenner Monday night, but the trip served a dual purpose, as the former Yankees manager made amends with Brian Cashman and, in effect, the entire organization.

...

Monday marked the first time Torre seemed remorseful over the fallout.

"I know he was offended by some of the stuff he read in the book," Torre said prior to his conversation with Cashman. "I anticipate that we'll certainly shake hands and hopefully be done with whatever there was that came from that being the case."

Torre's words proved to be prophetic. Cashman greeted Torre and Mattingly, then Torre and Cashman disappeared into the clubhouse for a long awaited sit-down.

"I think we've agreed to just put it behind us," Cashman said. "We had a long, terrific run. I would put our relationship while we were working together up against any GM/manager combination in the game. We both agreed it's just not healthy. It's time to turn the page. Whatever happened on that side, it's a small sample compared to the huge sample of all the good stuff that took place."

...

"When I left, that was a very dark time for me," Torre said. "I was hurt, and yet if you try to be rational about it, you had two parties not knowing how to say goodbye. That's what it turned out to be.

"It's going to mean a lot to be back here and walk on that field, even though I didn't work on that field. It's Yankee Stadium. It's pinstripes."

Last night was long overdue, but at least it finally happened. Now the Yankees can finally schedule Joe Torre day.

Torre and Mattingly Will Be At The Stadium Tomorrow

From Bill Madden:

So big is the Yankees' commemoration of a monument to George Steinbrenner at Yankee Stadium Monday night that Joe Torre and Don Mattingly are going to end their estrangement with the team to attend the ceremonies.

The Daily News has learned that Yankee brass extended an invitation to both Torre, the former Yankee manager who won four World Championships with the team before leaving under acrimonious circumstances after the 2007 season, and Mattingly, who joined Torre as batting coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being passed over as Yankee manager for Joe Girardi that same year, agreed to attend.

...

It will mark the first time since either Torre or Mattingly left the Yankees that they have been at Yankee Stadium, the old or the new.

Wow, it should be a very special night in the Bronx..... I may need to buy a couple tickets for this one.

Torre To Step Down After Season, Will Be Replaced By Donnie Baseball

From ESPN:

Joe Torre is stepping down after three years as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers at season's end, the Dodgers announced Friday, with hitting coach Don Mattingly replacing him.

"The opportunity to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers is truly an honor," Mattingly said in a news release. "There are few organizations in the world with the history, tradition and track record of success as the Dodgers. I'm looking forward to continuing what I came here to accomplish with Joe and that's to win a world championship."

It wasn't immediately clear whether Torre would remain with the organization in another capacity, something he has expressed a desire to do after his retirement.

"It has been an incredible honor to wear the Dodger uniform and I will always carry with me some very special memories from the past three seasons," Torre said in the release. "This was not a decision I took lightly but I believe it's the right one for myself and my family and I'm truly thrilled that Donnie will be the one leading the Dodgers. It's time that the Dodgers had a new voice and I have the utmost confidence in him. I know he's ready for the challenge."

Mattingly has never managed at any level, but he is slated to in the Arizona Fall League after the season, an assignment that is far different from managing a major league club during the regular season because it is a league that exists primarily for showcasing prospects from a handful of different organizations.

"Over the past three years, I've had the opportunity to work with Don closely and have gotten to know him both personally and professionally and I'm convinced that he's the right person to lead the Dodgers," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said in the statement. "His work ethic is unparalleled, his baseball knowledge is vast and his leadership skills have been established during more than three decades in professional baseball."

Good luck to both former Yankees.

A-Rod and Torre Break The Ice

From George A. King III:

Rodriguez, who refused to discuss Torre's impact on him during the four years they were together with the Yankees and didn't get together with Torre during the first two days at Dodger Stadium, approached Torre behind the batting cage while the Dodgers hit.

When Torre saw Rodriguez get close, he feigned jumping back but then the men embraced. A 30-second chat followed and Rodriguez went to talk to two fans in the seats by the Yankees' dugout.

"It was important to go there, it was the mature thing to do," Rodriguez said after the Yankees' 8-6 come-from-behind, 10-inning victory last night. "I didn't want to let things linger. I wanted to build on what I have been building on for the last two years, to do the right thing. I didn't want to let it linger, you don't know when the next time I will see Joe."

Smart move by A-Rod, if anything, just to shut people up about it. Plus, it's obviously always better to leave any kind of situation on good terms rather than bad.

Some Links About Torre's Reunion With The Yanks

-There are a ton of articles this morning about the meeting between the Yankees and Dodgers as Yanks take on Joe Torre for the first time since he left after the 2007 season.

- My favorite of all this morning's articles comes from Mike Vaccaro, who says the ugly divorce between Torre and the Yanks can't and shouldn't diminish Torre's legacy as Yankees manager. I couldn't agree more.

- There are articles from Marc Carig, Mark Feinsand, Chad Jennings, Pete Caldera and George A. King III with quotes from the Core Four about their former manager.

- The LA Times has an article about Torre's mixed feeling about playing against his former team.

- Paul O'Neill talks about the reunion.

Facing Torre Brings Back Old Memories For Yanks

Bryan Hoch wrote this nice piece about how the Yankees feel about facing their former manager and how it's bringing back some fond memories. There are a lot of good quotes in the article, but here are a few from the core fore:

"He was like a father figure to me," Posada said. "A guy that took care of me like his own child. I'm going to thank him forever, and the organization, obviously. But the way he treated me was very special. I will always remember that."

The Yankees play against Torre's Dodgers for the first time this weekend at Chavez Ravine, and it is a series they have curiously anticipated since the schedule began filtering around the clubhouse. No matter how the marriage ended, some still cannot view Torre as anything but a Yankee.

"We've been through too much to not kind of feel like [Torre is] a Yankee," said Andy Pettitte, who will start the series finale on Sunday. "So, for sure, I still feel that way about it. He was not only my manager, but he's just somebody you could talk to. Not about baseball. I just talked to him about life. At a very young age, he was just always there."

...

Mariano Rivera credits Torre for helping him get through the aftermath of Sandy Alomar's crushing home run in Game 4 of the 1997 American League Division Series. But earlier that season, Rivera remembers Torre guiding him to help fill the gap left by closer John Wetteland, the '96 World Series MVP.

"I was struggling a little bit in the beginning," [Mariano] Rivera said. "He said, 'Don't worry what you do. As long as I'm here, you will be my closer.' Even though I knew that if I did what I kept doing wrong, I wouldn't be the closer, that was enough for me to feel confidence and keep doing the rest.

"I ended up with [43] saves that year. He was tremendous, that kind of man. Always there for us, no matter what the situation was. Joe is more than a friend. He is a mentor."

...

"It's someone I learned a lot from," Jeter said. "I learned a lot from the way he handles people, how he deals with people. People always say you treat everyone the same -- you don't treat everyone the same. You treat everyone fairly, and I think he was pretty good at that."

Mo also had this to say when asked if he thought Torre would have that "queasy feeling" he used to say other managers felt if Mo came in to close a game:

"I don't know if he will have that [feeling]. He knows me so much," Rivera said. "Maybe he'll have it. But I'm looking forward to the opportunity. The bottom line is that you just want to see him and give him a big hug."

While many are pissed at Torre for the book, 2004, or whatever else they didn't do in his last five seasons in pinstripes, but my memories of Torre will always be positive ones. No other baseball team in the modern era has come close to experiencing the kind of success that Torre's Yankees did and it was a fun time to be a fan (especially pre-2004).

What are your thoughts as this highly anticipated series is about to kick off?

Mattingly and Torre Looking Forward to Series vs. Yanks

From Ed Price (hat-tip to Was Watching):

For Torre and Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly — whose pinstriped No. 23 was retired in 1997 — the series will be “busy,” as Torre put it, but not wistful or vengeful.

“It’s like playing,” Mattingly told FanHouse last Sunday in Boston in looking forward to this weekend. “You always turn the page.”

Mattingly said when he first saw the Dodgers’ June schedule, he thought, “This doesn’t look real good.”

Not because he’d have to go against the Yankees for the first time in his life, but because the Dodgers would be tested by playing the Cardinals, the Angels twice, the Red Sox and the Yankees in a span of six series.

Share “You’re caught in your own thing, you know?” Mattingly said.

“It’ll be different, I’m sure. But in a sense I’m looking forward to it, getting to see those guys.”

Said Torre: “It’s obviously going to be busy, but it’s also going to be fun seeing a lot of people.”

...

"I know L.A. is looking forward to it," Torre said. "They've had billboards up all year: 'Renew the rivalry.' I can't escape it.

"It's going to be unique."

...

"I've never pulled against these guys," Torre said. "It's going to be the first time."

Price also mentions in the article that Mattingly will be the first Yankees who has had his number retired to take the field against them in a game that counts. However, thanks to a commenter over on WasWatching, I believe that Joe DiMaggio--who had his number retired in 1952--was actually the first when he was a coach for the A's back in the late-60's, so Mattingly will be the second.

Anyway, even if he won't admit it, you know Torre wants to beat his old team more than anything. I'm sure Mattingly feels the same way since he was passed over for the manager's job by Girardi.

This should be a fun series and I've been looking forward to it since the schedule was released. My only complaint is that it's not in New York. Maybe next year.

Like Torre, Zimmer Was Rooting For Yanks

From Bryan Hoch:

Torre's former bench coach Don Zimmer, now a senior advisor with the Rays, said he was also cheering hard for the Yankees. Girardi broke in as a rookie catcher with Zimmer's Cubs in 1989 and went along with him to Colorado in '93 before continuing with the Yankees in '96.

"I was pulling so hard," Zimmer said. "I spent the first 10 years he was in the big leagues, we were together. Joe's quite a man and a very good friend of mine. I was happy for him and I was happy for the Yankees."

Zimmer noticed the scrutiny on Girardi was intense during the Fall Classic, and he said that he was pleased the manager was vindicated in the end.

"He took a lot of heat from the media during the Series," Zimmer said. "I remember all that. [The media was] second-guessing every move he made. If they'd have lost, I'm sure he'd have heard more. Now that he won, he's on top of the world. That's the way baseball works. I was so tickled he was right."

OK so he was rooting for Joe Girardi specifically, but to me that still counts as rooting for the Yankees.

It's also mentioned in the article that Joe Torre was somewhat relieved he wasn't forced to manage against his former team.

Torre Happy For His Former Team (UPDATED)

(Update) Here's more from Torre via Kristie Ackert:

"To watch what they've done, especially with Joe Girardi at the helm, it really made me feel good," Torre said. "Even though I am supposed to be a National League fan, when you're as close to these guys as I've been all these years, well, I was just really pleased for them."

He also praised Joe Girardi saying "Coming after my 12 years and after all the success we had, that was not an easy thing for Joe Girardi," he said. "He never backed away from it. He's a quality individual." And said that Alex Rodriguez "got the monkey off his back" and that he was "happy for him."

From The AP:

Dodgers manager Joe Torre says he was pleased when successor Joe Girardi and the New York Yankees won the World Series this month.

...

Speaking before his foundation's annual gala on Friday night, Torre said it was "surreal" watching the Yankees face the Phillies in the World Series. But he was happy to see some of his former players earn another title.

I will always be a Joe Torre fan, and I'm sure part of him was happy, but there's probably another part of him that was either jealous or angry. Not with the players or Girardi themselves, but with the idea of the Yankees winning without him.

Lupica: Pressure's on Girardi in Playoffs

From Mike Lupica:

The Yankees have slayed every single dragon they were needed to slay, and maybe were supposed to slay, during the regular season, one that really ended with them getting those last two games off the Angels.

They have made it back to the playoffs, back to the top of the AL East. They can clinch the division this weekend if they can sweep the Red Sox at the Stadium. They just settle no scores this weekend, not any that matter, at least not around here. All we get this weekend is a dress rehearsal for the only games that matter, the ones that begin the second week of October.

But we won't find out this weekend if this Yankee team is as good as the Yankee team Girardi played for, no matter how much it slaps the Red Sox around. We don't find that out until the week after next, Game 1 against the Tigers or the Twins, as Girardi's Yankees try to do something no Yankee team has done since a division series against the Twins in '04.

But what we know from the recent past is that as much as they have done so far, as many questions as they've answered, and that includes questions about the manager, all they've done is win the first six months. They've done that plenty of times.

Girardi, who really ought to be Manager of the Year for the second time in a three-year managerial career, knows the deal better than anybody. He didn't put No.27 on the back of his uniform because he just wanted to make the tournament.

He will get his chance to get there soon enough, under the brightest possible lights, the kind of bright lights Joe Torre had on him from his very first October. Alex Rodriguez will get his chance to get his first big playoff hit since Game 3 of the 2004 ALCS, which is 13 postseason games ago. Teixeira will get the chance to perform with a lot of Yankee money on the table. So will Sabathia, so will Burnett. And Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner and all the others who have made this the most entertaining, and satisfying, Yankee regular season in a long time.

So he and his team have won the championship of the first six months. The Yankees did that a lot when they were getting to 26 world championships. It was never supposed to be this hard to get to No.27. The real dragons are still out there.

This is one of the rare occasions where I agree with Lupica. Hell, how can you not? Of course the pressure will rise as September turns into October, especially for Girardi. No Yankee manager can go into the postseason without added pressure, it's part of the job.

That said, I don't think the pressure will be anywhere near what it was for Torre in the last few years of his Yankee career. Torre had set the bar so high for himself that anything short of a world series win started up the talk of whether he should be fired or not. That won't happen with Girardi.

After missing the postseason last year, making it this year carries with it a rare sense of accomplishment, especially rare for the Bronx. That in it of itself should all but guarantee Girardi at least finishes out his contract. I wouldn't even be surprised if he got an extension.

Torre Sends Jeet a Text

From the AP article:

"I communicated with him. I didn't call him," Torre said before the Dodgers played the archrival San Francisco Giants. "I heard back. I texted him. That's his favorite thing. I've got to get into that young stuff."

"He's a special kid," Torre said. "The person he is, to me, means a great deal. That's really something to be proud of, the respect he has for the game and his teammates. He's a leader but not that 'rah, rah."

...

"He's a lot of things in that clubhouse," Torre said. "His consistency, if you're a manager, you count on. He doesn't have the power I know that George [Steinbrenner] likes to refer to as a Yankee. ... Just the tenacity, the determination. He's not afraid to win."

The more I think about it, the more I'm hoping for a Yankees-Dodgers World Series. The Yankees facing Torre, the ovation he'd receive when he returns to the Bronx, Manny against the Yankees again, the history of the two storied franchises, it would be great.

Mr. Torre Reacts To The Captain's Milestone

From Jesse Sanchez:

"What can you say? I'm tickled for him," Torre said. "When you start saying names like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, guys like that, it's pretty amazing."

"Amazing" is one way to describe Jeter. "Consistent," "clutch" and "winner" are others.

...

Torre said he would send a congratulatory text or phone call when Jeter picked up the hit that moved him past the Iron Horse in the history books, and joked that he hoped Jeter would pick up.

But he won't be hurt if he doesn't get a call back. "How r u?" and "Congrats" are sometimes enough between old friends.

"Back in the beginning, I had no idea he'd be doing things Gehrig did," Torre said. "Anything Lou Gehrig did was out of sight for anybody. Even with his abbreviated numbers, a guy who played every day like that. It's tough to do that anymore. Players rarely stay with one team for their careers."

Jeter has gone on record saying that there has been no bigger influence on his professional development than Torre. He once said that it was a privilege to be around him and an honor to learn the game from him.

Another from Torre from John Schlegel and Rhett Bollinger:

"This kid came with his 'A' personality all the time," Torre said. "His competitiveness just never stopped. That's something you have to admire."

Regardless of your feelings towards the former Yankees manager, if Jeter says "there has been no bigger influence on his professional development than Torre," than I think we should all at least thank him for that.

Also check out these reactions from players and coaches around the league also from Schlegel and Bollinger:

Willie Randolph:

"It blows my mind that we're talking about this [record] because it's happened so fast," Randolph said. "At least to me it seems fast. It seems like it was yesterday that I took him out to dinner and we talked about what it was going to take for him to get on this club and be a fixture for a long time.

"He took my advice and worked his butt off, and here we are. We're talking about passing the greats in Yankees history. It blows my mind. It's a tribute to his consistency, his work ethic, the fact he's been fortunate to be healthy and out there every day, to the fact he's accountable every day. I have so much respect for him as a person and a professional."

Kansas City manager Trey Hillman, who also coached in the Yankees minor league system:

"When you put professional baseball players in the dictionary, he's one of the first names that should come up. Especially since the game has moved more toward self than team, he's the epitome of the team player."

Eric Wedge:

"the greatest championship player of our generation."

"He's consistent. A lot of players come and go in that market, and he's the one constant. And he takes on a leadership role, as well."

Brendan Donnelly:

"Jeter has been one of the best role models in Major League Baseball in recent history. He's done it the right way, from start to finish, at the highest level and probably the hardest place to play. He's been the face of Major League Baseball for years. You just don't hear guys staying in one spot that long. For him to do everything he's done, I think he's earned every bit of his fame.

"To me, it's not surprising that he's about to become the Yankees' all-time hit leader. He's always healthy. He's just done it the right way. I think more players in baseball should follow his way."

Howie Kendrick:

"I can't tell you how much I admire Derek Jeter, everything about him. He's a symbol of everything that's right about the game, as far as I'm concerned. He's a great role model for other players. When I tell my kids or grandkids about the great players from my time, I'll be proud to say I was on the same field with Derek Jeter."

I've said this before, but it's worth repeating; we fans are very lucky to have been able to watch this class-act do nothing but play the game the right way, win, and put up these Hall of Fame numbers. He's the face of the franchise and today, like Gehrig in his day, there is no better example of what a Yankee truly is.

Mark Feinsand has a breakdown of the Yankees player reactions here.

And for a look at some of Derek's not so great milestones, check out this post from SteveB over at Pride of the Yankees.

Jeter and Torre @ the ASG

Doesn't Torre sound like a proud father when he talks about Jeter?

Visiting New Stadium Not on Torre's Itinerary

Joe Torre is in town with his Dodgers to play three games against the Mets, but has no plans, now or in the future, to visit the new Yankee Stadium.

When asked before Wednesday night's game against the Mets if he had any interest in seeing the Yanks' luxurious new park, the Dodgers manager said, "Nope. None. I've heard good things about (the new stadium). That's about it."

Having grown up in Brooklyn, played Mayor's Cup games in high school at the old Stadium and won four World Series rings while Yankee manager, Torre said he'd like to remember the place the way it was.

"I left there, and I knew it was gonna be my last time. I would have been very surprised if it wasn't my last time, so I took everything in," said Torre, who managed the Yanks from 1996-2007. "I have so many great memories there."

Torre said he arranged to purchase seats from the old stadium, as he has done with other places where he played or managed, and that is all he will physically take from the place.

"Everything that happened (at the old stadium) was enough for me," Torre said. "Great memories."

As far as the new place, he's heard about it:

"I've seen it on TV and I've heard about it, you know about right field," Torre said about the high number of home runs being hit to right. "If you hit the ball straight away to right field in the old ballpark it was pretty friendly too."

Torre did admit that there is one condition under which he would like to check out the new Stadium - leading the Dodgers there in a World Series.

"I wouldn't mind seeing it in October," Torre said with a smile. "But to be perfectly honest, I'd like to see any stadium in October."

It's obvious he's still holding a bit of a grudge against the Yankees, and especially the Steinbrenner bros, Cashman, and Randy Levine - he always hated Levine. But even if that wasn't the case, since he's still in the league I can understand why he'd want to stay away.

I'm sure he'll make it to the place some time after he retires, probably for Joe Torre Day.

Torre Still Rooting For Yanks

From SI.com:

Although Torre is now on the other side of the country, he still follows the Yankees and watches many of their games.

"It's not pain. I look at it and I care about people and I stay in touch with people over there," Torre said. "When you're in California, you get to the ballpark and you turn on the game. It's 4 o'clock out there so it's 7 o'clock somewhere where they're playing. So I see a lot of their games. And yeah, I watch them with interest because I've been with a lot of those guys for a good period of time."

Torre is rooting for Yankees manager Joe Girardi to do well.

"I have to pull for them," Torre said. "People think because you leave the Yankees and supposedly you're unhappy with each other that you're supposed to pull against them. But I can't pull against the individuals over there, least of all Girardi who played for me, coached for me -- I recommended him when he had his first managing job.

"This kid is going to be one of the top managers. This I know is a dream job for him and I'm glad things are getting better for him. I don't care how young you are, it still takes a little starch off of you."

Classy as always.

It's pretty impressive what he's been able to do with a Manny-less Dodger team too. They're 13-9 since he was suspended, and overall they're 34-17 and already 8.5 games up in the NL West. Looking very likely like Torre will make it 14 straight years with a postseason appearance. Good for him.

Torre and His Dodgers May Be Heading Here in 2010

From Mike Puma:

Though next season's schedule won't be official for several weeks, an industry source told The Post yesterday that the Dodgers are preliminarily slated for a three-game, interleague series at Yankee Stadium, in what would be their first visit to The Bronx -- barring a Yankees-Dodgers World Series this year -- since the 1981 World Series.

It would be the first time Torre has been back in the Bronx since the Yankees lost the 2007 division series to the Indians. Along with the Brewers, the Dodgers are the only teams that have yet to visit the Bronx since interleague began in 1997.

So you're in the crowd for the series opener and Joe Torre comes out to turn in the lineup card, do you cheer or do you boo?

I'm cheering.