Everyone’s Coming to L.A.

From the window of my new apartment in Downtown Los Angeles — part of the magnificent renaissance of this great city — I can see Dodger Stadium sitting atop Elysian Park. This morning, if I’d had strong enough binoculars (and ones that could pierce the fog shrouding the stadium), I could have seen former Yankees manager Joe Torre conduct his first press conference in a Dodger uniform.

Wearing number 6, the number he wore to 12 straight post-season appearances in New York, Torre began a new chapter in his life and the Dodgers began a new era. Will Torre automatically bring a World Series win or even a pennant to the Dodgers? No, of course not, and he acknowledged that himself, saying, "The ability to win — you don’t always control that." But the move to Southern California is exciting to me as a New York baseball fan living in L.A., and it may just be the right move for everyone involved.

Twelve years at any job, with even the greatest level of success, can sometimes be too long. That may have even been in the back of Torre’s mind when he turned down Steinbrenner’s offer, and the change may reinvigorate him with new challenges and a new environment. It’s more than just the sun that’s different in California.

Born in Brooklyn, and an admitted fan of the Giants while growing up, Torre nevertheless has the calming, controlled demeanor that works in L.A. He looked right standing alongside Tommy Lasorda and Vin Scully this morning.  He talked about "making players feel important" and treating "everybody like a man," a way of managing he attributed to Red Schoendienst. I think Joe will fit in just fine here, and I hope to run into him soon at the Eastside Market Deli.

Torre is also bringing Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa along, and his stature may well attract players to Dodger Blue that wouldn’t otherwise be attainable (A-Rod, are you listening?). The fog has just about cleared, and I can’t wait for April.