Torre formally takes over at Dodgers

LOS ANGELES: Former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre took formal control of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, calling the experience "surreal".

Torre quit the Yankees last month after 12 years with baseball's most storied franchise, saying he was unwilling to accept a one-year contract with incentives he found insulting.

But the 67-year-old manager appeared relaxed and re-energized at a light-hearted news conference in center field of Dodger Stadium.

"This is surreal for me," he said. "It's been an emotional roller-coaster for my family over the last couple of weeks."

The Dodgers started well last season before sliding to a third-place finish in the National League West.

Torre said he had "a wonderful run" with the Yankees, where he took his teams to the playoffs each year and won the World Series four times, and he left with no regrets.

"The opportunity to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers, this is one of a handful of organizations you automatically say 'yes' to," said Torre, who grew up with the team in Brooklyn before they moved to Los Angeles 50 years ago.

"I didn't sleep last night," he said. "I didn't know where to start. It's a great feeling to be here. I get choked up."

Torre said he would bring two of his coaches, Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa, with him to Los Angeles.

He deflected most questions on his 2008 roster, saying he had not yet held meaningful discussions with general manager Ned Colletti.

Torre said the Dodgers would have an eye on the free-agent market but added it was too early to tell if the team would pursue his former third baseman Alex Rodriguez, considered baseball's best player.

Rodriguez, who opted out of his contract with the Yankees after the 2007 season, is the most expensive free agent on the market and would give the Dodgers a much-needed boost.

Agencies

(China Daily 11/07/2007 page24)