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Posted at 11:20 a.m., Thursday, November 1, 2007

Joe Torre named Dodgers manager

Advertiser Staff and News Services

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that Joe Torre has been named the club's field manager through the 2010 season. Torre becomes the 26th manager in franchise history.

"Joe Torre is one of the most respected men in the game of baseball," said Dodger Owner and Chairman Frank McCourt in a statement. "As a player, a broadcaster, a manager and in his life off the field, Joe is a winner through and through. As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Dodgers moving to Los Angeles, we will again have a Hall of Fame caliber manager at the helm. Joe's dedication, desire and ability will help lead the Dodgers to our ultimate goal – a World Championship."

Torre becomes just the eighth manager in Los Angeles Dodger history, following Hall of Famers Walter Alston (1954-76) and Tommy Lasorda (1977-96), Bill Russell (1996-98), Glenn Hoffman (1998), Davey Johnson (1999-2000), Jim Tracy (2001-05) and Grady Little (2006-07).

"Few managers in the history of the game have accomplished what Joe has delivered," said General Manager Ned Colletti. "Throughout his career he has demonstrated the ability to turn a vision for success into results on the field and we welcome his passion and leadership. We have tremendous fans and they deserve no less."

Torre, 67, has a 26-year Major League managerial record of 2,067-1,770 (.539) and ranks eighth all-time in victories among Major League managers, having passed former Dodgers Leo Durocher (2,009) and Alston (2,040) last season. Torre has more postseason victories (76) than any manager in Major League history.

"Having grown up in Brooklyn, I have a great understanding of the history of the Dodger organization and I am committed to bringing a World Championship back to Los Angeles," said Torre. "I consider it an honor to be a part of this organization, which is one of the most storied franchises in all of sports."

Over the past 12 years, Torre posted a .605 winning percentage (1,173-767) and guided the Yankees to 12 consecutive postseason appearances, 10 American League Eastern Division titles, six American League pennants and four World Championships, including three consecutive titles from 1998-2000. He was named the AL's Manager of the Year in 1996 and again in 1998 when the team won 114 games.

Prior to managing the Yankees, Torre piloted the Mets (1977-81), Braves (1982-84) and Cardinals (1990-95) and was named the Associated Press Manager of the Year in 1982 when he guided Atlanta to the National League Western Division title. Torre served as a broadcaster for the California Angels from 1985-90.

As a player, Torre was a nine-time All-Star, former Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner (1965) and National League Most Valuable Player (1971). He hit .297 with 252 career home runs and 1,185 RBI in 2,209 games as a catcher, third baseman and first baseman for the Braves, Cardinals and Mets. His 1971 MVP campaign included a career-high .363 batting average, 230 hits, 137 RBI and 352 total bases.

The Brooklyn native has been a dedicated member of each community in which he has played or managed and has been honored for his work in that regard. He and his wife, Ali, inaugurated the Joe Torre "Safe at Home" Foundation in 2002 to aid in the prevention and awareness of domestic violence.

A press conference will be held Monday at Dodger Stadium.