Tinseltown Exchange: A Champion For Little

Life is not choreographed. Occasionally, situations are predictable. However, one’s existence is unscripted. Scenarios are not orchestrated. Plans deviate. Circumstances dissolve. One may desire perfection. Unfortunately, they cannot coordinate their future.

Last week, Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Grady Little resigned. On Monday, Joe Torre supplanted him. Torre signed a 3-year, $13 million contract. “I asked him, 'Do you really want to get back into something like this?' He looked at me and he said, 'There's no doubt in my mind what I want to do and where I want to do it,'” said General Manager Ned Colletti. “He likes the idea that the Dodgers are the franchise that is looked upon in many ways as one of the great icons in American sports. He likes the challenge of that, the market size, the chance to take a club that hasn't had a chance to go to the World Series since 1988 and do something about that. I don't have any doubts that his appetite is there and he's up for the challenge.”

According to Torre, his circumstance is unchanged. “As a kid growing up, you didn't like them,” he said. “As a player, to me the Dodgers were the Yankees of the National League because ... you either loved them or you hated them.”

During his career, Little logged a 358-290 ledger. In Boston, he posted a 188-136 mark. In Los Angeles, he tallied a 170-154 scratch. Unfortunately, his exoduses were bizarre. Following a pitching fiasco, the Red Sox fired him. Amidst rumors, he escaped Los Angeles.

Conversely, Torre has accrued a 2,067-1,770 record. With the New York Yankees, he went 1,173-767, amassed four World Series championships, six American League championships, and ten division championships. Akin to New York, Torre’s coaches will include Larry Bowa and Don Mattingly.

According to former Manager Tommy Lasorda, Torre was mistreated. “I'm so happy for him. I think his record speaks for itself,” said Lasorda. “I think what he accomplished with the Yankees, he should have been able to control his destiny. We're happy that he's here -- very happy.”

Torre is correct. The Dodgers and Yankees are parallel. Both are historic. Both are estimable cornerstones. Once, Torre resurrected the Yankees. Hopefully, he can restore the Dodgers. Torre did not deserve the past month. Now, he can prove this.