Torre also helped bridge the Jeff Kent divide, which is still a tenuous situation. Kent is that enigmatic veteran who is admired and respected for his passion for winning, but also dismissed for his curmudgeonly attitude. When Kent went down in late August with a knee injury, requiring arthroscopic surgery and a stint on the 15-day disabled list, the question, “Are the Dodgers better off without Kent?” bubbled in blogs. Kent said he’s ready for the playoffs, although Torre indicated he isn’t sure if he’ll start him or Blake DeWitt at second.

When you consider Kent, Manny, the youngsters, short-fuse owner Frank McCourt, mercurial general manager Ned Colletti, the pricey disappointments and a new city with new media, Torre was one of the few baseball men on Earth capable of making the transition.

Recently, the Yankees held a large celebration to say goodbye to old Yankee Stadium. Joe Torre’s name was not uttered. That could be interpreted as an insult if you failed to consider the buffoons responsible for the omission. They drove off Torre when they offered to give him a one-year contract at a reduced salary. In the aftermath, the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Torre was with the Yankees for 12 years. He led them to 12 consecutive playoff berths, as well as four World Series titles.

The Yankees were without him for one year. They’re sitting home.

The Dodgers are participating in the postseason in their first year of the Joe Torre era.

Not a bad hire.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Yanks on top, but dynasty talk premature   Vote, discuss: Will the Yankees repeat in 2010? Damon wants to return, but has ‘a lot of options’ World Series rematch? Don’t count it out Crowds roar, bells ring as NYC fetes Yankees   Slideshow: Yankees on parade When confetti runs out, Yankee fans toss files Celizic: Winning for the Boss? Times have changed CTB: Baseball’s Hot Stove already in full swing   Putz, Pavano file for free agency Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: