Dodgers Benefit From Joe Torre's Magic
Dodgers Needed Leadership and Joe Torre Filled the Bill
Sep 25, 2008
One Playoff Win Since 1988
The Dodgers have won 6 World Championships and 16 National League Pennants in their history but since 1988, they’ve won a grand total of one post season game.
In recent years, Los Angeles felt they had put together a club that would contend for a title but they lacked leadership, particularly from the manager’s chair.
New York Said Goodbye, Los Angeles Said Hello
It was October of 2007. The Yankees had just lost to the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the American League Playoffs and Joe Torre’s job status was once again being questioned.
After a meeting with Yankee brass, Torre decided not to accept their nominal contract offer, thus making him free to negotiate with any other team.
Los Angeles needed a manager after Grady Little was fired and moved quickly. In a matter of days Torre was modeling the Dodgers uniform at a lavish press conference that was held at Dodger Stadium.
Calming Influence
Baseball teams have often been called "a reflection of their manager".
Torre has earned the respect of his peers by his handling of players and his calm demeanor during the tough times that a baseball team experiences throughout the course of a 162 game season. The Dodgers are not the 2008 National League Western Division Champs without the four time World Champion at the helm.
There were numerous times this season when the Dodgers could have "packed their bags".
In late August, the Dodgers dropped eight straight games to fall 4 ½ behind division leading Arizona. Win or lose, Torre would always portray that calm exterior providing an assurance to his team that things would work out just fine. Sure enough, the Dodgers rallied to win their next eight and twelve of thirteen to get back on track and make the post season.
Ramirez Trade Was Final Piece to the Puzzle
At the trade deadline, the Dodgers added what they hoped would be the final piece to the puzzle. Manny Ramirez was acquired from the Boston Red Sox as part of a three-team deal that included the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ramirez had "worn out his welcome" in Boston. After years of "crying wolf" over threats to trade their disgruntled slugger, the Red Sox finally made the move.
Ramirez made an immediate impact on the entire Dodger lineup and may have even thrust himself into the running for the National League’s Most Valuable Player award.
House Money
The Dodgers are in the playoffs with "house money" because they weren't expected to be there.
If the Wild Card winner comes out of the East, then the Dodgers will play the winner of the National League East. If the Wild Card winner is Milwaukee, then the Dodgers will play the Cubs in the first round.
Either way, by having the Dodgers and Joe Torre in its post season tournament, the sport of baseball is better off.
