Joe Torre pulled on his crisp blue cap and shimmering white jersey, squinted into the California sun and immediately looked like a longtime member of the famous Dodger family.
Flanked by Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda and broadcasting great Vin Scully on a center-field stage at Dodger Stadium, Torre was quick to pay tribute to one of baseball's most successful franchises Monday.
Indeed, Torre was front and center for his introduction as Los Angeles' new manager -- less than three weeks after walking away from the New York Yankees. Scully delivered the opening remarks for an event held in center field to accommodate the overload of media, a first according to team spokesman Josh Rawitch.
Near the podium, Torre was joined by team owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, general manager Ned Colletti, pitching ace Brad Penny and Lasorda.
Torre will wear No. 6, a carry-over from his Yankees uniform. He announced that former New York coaches Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa will follow him and join his staff with the Dodgers.
Mattingly's son, Preston, is a minor leaguer in the Dodgers' organization.
Torre left the Yankees after 12 seasons and four World Series titles. He follows Casey Stengel in becoming the second person to manage both storied franchises. Stengel led the Brooklyn Dodgers to losing records from 1934-36, moved over to the Boston Braves, then guided the Yankees to seven Series titles from 1949-60.
The 67-year-old Torre replaced Grady Little, who quit last week, and takes over an underperforming team that hasn't won the Series since 1988. The Dodgers finished fourth in the NL West last season at 82-80.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are now the favorite to win the National League West for 2008, especially now that they have Joe Torre as manager.
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