Weekly Treat — Watching Torre Win

It has to be liberating for Joe Torre to go from the leader of the most widely-hated team this side of Durham, N.C., to a California guy living the baseball dream, managing the Los Angeles Dodgers. It has to be like going from Satan’s sidekick to Jesus’ right hand man.

As a fan, I’m taking endless enjoyment in watching the even-keeled Torre in the dugout during a Dodgers playoff game this year, clad in what looks to be an unfamiliar grey and blue jersey devoid of more familiar pinstripes. There’s no team easier to knock than the New York Yankees, which made liking the affable Torre, the team’s former manager, about as difficult as complimenting Manny Ramirez’s effort. For more than 10 years, Torre was the direct target of countless hours of criticism and unnecessary problems caused by owner George Steinbrenner. Often, Torre looked flabbergasted at how to handle the attention paid to his job.

When Torre was fired after another season without a World Series championship last season, he quickly landed on his feet with the Dodgers. And what a move it was. Torre’s playful personality (which doesn’t fly in the hardened Bronx) quickly meshed with bubbly California fans and he has made a home thousands of miles away from New York and the incredible scrutiny that comes with it.

I like Torre. He doesn’t take anything too seriously, which gets you in trouble when you’re running Yankee Stadium. Like an escaped prisoner, he is free from the Steinbrenner reign (of terror) and has found his place in the baseball society. So watching Torre manage the suddenly streaking Dodgers into the National League Championship Series gives even the greenest baseball fans somebody to cheer from. Somewhere, the Steinbrenners are sitting at home, watching the Torre-led Dodgers go deeper into the playoffs.

Bet they wish they could have their old whipping boy back. And I’m sure they’d let him bring Manny back with him too.