Happy 70th Birthday Joe Torre

Happy 70th birthday, Joe Torre. Here are some things that happened the year you were born:

The New York Yankees finished third in the American League

The Brooklyn Dodgers finished second in the National League

Manny Hurts Himself, Donates Porsche

Manny Ramirez is scheduled to get an MRI on his injured right hamstring today, a day off for his Los Angeles Dodgers.

The wacky left fielder, who spent 15 days on the disabled list from April 23 until May 8, hurt himself in the first inning of Tuesday night's 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants rounding second. He stopped and dashed back to the bag, his foot making contact with shortstop Edgar Renteria's glove, which made the ball pop out for a safe call.

Playtime With Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez Bobblehead Night at Dodger Stadium was sans the star outfielder after he asked Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre to bench him against the Cincinnati Reds due to a sore left hand...

However, I think we all know Manny didn't want to participate tonight because the game would cut into his playtime with the bobblehead version of himself.

Update: With one out and the game tied at two a piece, bags juiced in the bottom of the sixth, Manny comes in to pinch hit for Chad Billingsley. What's that? A double-switch? Touché, Dusty Baker. But Manny answers on the very first pitch from Nick Masset with a grand slam to give LA a 6-2 lead.

From the legendary Vin Scully...

That's even more Hollywood than Hollywood. Yeah, you're right. It's Mannywood.

[LA Times] | [MLB Blog] | [Vin Scully Is My Homeboy]

Alyssa Milano Hearts the Dodgers

Super Mario Bros. 3 is released in Japan.

Paul's Boutique is being recorded at Mario G's in LA.

The nation falls in love with Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper when The Wonder Years debuts in March.

The year was 1988 and it was the Dodgers' world. The first victory came in dramatic fashion: a longball by Kirk Gibson in Game 1 for a 5-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics. The last was a charge to the championship led by Orel Hershiser.

There Is No Joy In Wrigleyville

There is no sorrow in the world of sports like being a Cubs fan. Chicago is one of the greatest cities not just in the Midwest, or United States, but in the world. But the invisible fence around Wrigley Field seems to prevent joy from ever entering the friendly confines.

Maybe it gets lost in the ivy. Or blown into the tiny whitecaps of Lake Michigan on its way to the North Side of the Windy City. Maybe the goat ate it. At any rate, fans are kept on pins and needles from that first pitch on opening day to that moment when the Cubs have lost their last game. The real reason Cub fans are blue? It's from holding their breath all the time.

Carlos Zambrano, who not long ago pitched a no-hitter after concerns he had a tired arm, couldn't get the win needed last night against Torre's Dodgers. Cubs defense was sloppy, the offense quiet, and the fans sat pale-faced, patiently waiting for a moment to cheer about something. The strange part is that the Chicago Cubs have a rockin' team this year. I mean, they're really good. It should at least be good baseball, not the slaughters we witnessed Wednesday and Thursday. Manny doesn't need another World Series ring.

Work It, Joe Torre!

In case you didn't catch the fabulous Joe Torre Fashion Show in centerfield at Dodger Stadium this afternoon, here are some snap shots from the event.

He totally worked that new Dodgers cap and jersey.

[ESPN] | [The Fanhouse] | [Blue Notes] | [Baseball Toaster]

Joe Torre, Don Mattingly Move to LA

Just two days after the not-so-surprising resignation of Los Angeles Dodgers manager Grady Little, the club has a new skipper... one who grew up in Brooklyn rooting against the Dodger Blue.

Former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre was hired Thursday as their manager.

The winningest manager in postseason history moved from one illustrious franchise to another, agreeing to a three-year, $13 million contract.

And he's bringing Donnie Baseball with him. Mattingly, the Yankees' bench coach, is set to join Torre in Los Angeles as their hitting coach after being beat-out by Joe Girardi for the managerial spot in New York.

Fittingly, Mattingly's son, Preston, is a minor leaguer in the Dodgers' organization.

[MLB] | [6-4-2]

New York Forecast: Hurricane George

George Steinbrenner, just as jolly as can be, can add Mariano Rivera to the list of VIPs he could lose this winter.

Rivera has made it clear that he's not happy about the possibility of Joe Torre being ousted from the New York Yankees' manager position, as referred to by The Boss prior to the club's first-round elimination at the hands of the Cleveland Indians on Monday.

With free agency looming in the veteran closer's career, he says the team's choice regarding the management may weigh heavily on his own decision to return to the team. He says he wants Torre back so he can stay with the only club he's ever been with.

"I'm an optimist, so hopefully nothing happens and he stays here," Rivera said.

After making a little over $10 million this season, Rivera is looking for a multi-year contract, something the Yankees had the opportunity to give him this Spring, but refused to discuss until after the season.

Sarah's favorite backstop, Jorge Posada is also eligible to become a free agent, along with superstar third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who could opt out of his (record) $252 million, 10-year contract to find a different deal. Let's not forget the Yanks' $16 million options for starter Andy Pettitte and right fielder Bobby Abreu, as well.

The real question the organization has to answer is if they would rather have a young blood or future Hall of Famer as their closer.

Even though Rivera ranks third on the career list with 443 saves, Joba Chamberlain shows promise and a Yankeesque presence on the hill.


[New York Times]

Heartbreaking

It's tough to write this post. Watching the Yankees battle through the second half of the season, miraculously make the playoffs after a 14.5 game deficit, and lose in the first round in such a disastrous fashion sucks. Seriously, for lack of a better word. It sucks.

As crappy as I'm feeling right now, I wanted to get some thoughts out. I especially want to do it before Lizzy gets a hold of you all and turns this into a Red Sox fanfare.

Torre Takes the Blame Once Again

Joe Torre (six trips to the World Series and four rings or no) has always been the goat when his New York Yankees are in trouble.

He looked like a genius after they scratched and clawed their way back from 8 games under .500 in late May to win 2/3 of their remaining contests and become the AL wild card winners, but he's back to looking incompetent... in The Boss' eyes.

Yankees owner and filthy rich bastard, George Steinbrenner, has -- not for the first time -- given a near-impossible ultimatum: the club must overcome their deficit against the Cleveland Indians and reach the ALCS, or Torre won't be returning in 2008.

Congratulations Are in Order for Alex Rodriguez

Here's a big pat on the back to New York Yankees' manager Joe Torre, for recording his 2,000th career managerial victory last night.

The win came with thanks in large part to Alex Rodriguez, who smoked a ninth inning grand salami (his 15th career grand slam and 22nd homer on the season) that helped the Yankees top the Chicago White Sox, 10-3.

"Two thousand. Without the opportunity here I wouldn't have been close," said Torre, who also managed theSt. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. "It's been a great ride. I've appreciated it. The players have been the best part of it for me. And they proved it again tonight."

[Reuters]

The Ever-Elusive Roger Clemens

In a possible attempt to be manipulative and controlling, Roger Clemens still has no idea where he's going to play this season. And by this season, I mean whenever the hell he wants to come back. Maybe May. Maybe June. Maybe Houston. Maybe New York.

He hugged Joe Torre, spoke with George Steinbrenner and cheered for Andy Pettitte on Wednesday night while watching the Yankees play Cincinnati with his son, Koby. The Rocket posed for pictures, signed autographs and worked an inning on the Yankees' telecast, dancing around the burning question of whether or not he'll be playing this season, of course.