As with most baseball observers, the Rays convinced him of their validity Sept. 9.
They beat Boston, 5-4, scoring twice in the ninth off closer Jonathan Papelbon after blowing a one-run lead in the eighth. It ended a four-game losing streak, a stretch of six losses in seven games, and a seven-game losing streak at Fenway Park. A loss would have cost the Rays their first-place spot in the American League East.
Those same Rays hold a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven ALCS, which continues tonight in Boston. Before landing with the Dodgers this season Torre spent the past 12 years managing the Yankees. He's an expert on the AL East, the Red Sox and Rays, if ever there was one. Weeks ago, Torre realized this worst-to-first team could be the best club in the land.
"When I looked up there that September night and saw what was happening, I think I didn't have to pick Boston anymore," Torre said. "Because any time anybody asked me, I had said it was probably going to be Boston, based on the fact that they had the experience."
The Dodgers were in San Diego that night, and the next night, too - when the Rays beat the Sox in 14 innings.
"I think we were sitting in San Diego or someplace, I think it was San Diego . . . during the end of the year," Torre said. "At that point they made me believers, that they're for real. That they could look them right in the eye and not back away."
Going, going . . .
Derek Lowe lost Game 1 for the Dodgers because he gave up two homers, in the sixth inning.
Cory Wade and Jonathan Broxton lost Game 4 because they gave up two homers in the eighth.
Different Phillies hit each of those homers - not surprising, since they led the league in homers this season.
Torre sounded a bit defeated when asked why the Phillies never seem to be out of a game:
"They live and die by the home run. So they can jump back into a game or win a game. They did it against us in Game 1, two homers in a short period of time. The other night, the same thing," Torre said.
Entering last night, the Dodgers largely had muted back-to-back MVPs Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard, who combined to go a powerless 5-for-33 in the first four games. The Dodgers still trailed in the series, 3-1, thanks to Shane Victorino, Matt Stairs, Chase Utley and Pat Burrell.
"Sure, we've had some success with some of their big guns," Torre said. "But, again, if you make a mistake, it's not a line drive in the hole. It's a home run."
About 2 hours later, Rollins led off Game 5 with a homer. Howard went on to finish 3-for-4 with an RBI. And the Phils o advanced to the World Series, with a 5-1 win.
30 tongue lashes
Joe Torre always was sensitive to his Yankees' matchups with the Rays, since the Yankees conduct spring training in Tampa and despotic owner George Steinbrenner lives and operates out of the city.
"Believe me, I used to get tortured for losing to Tampa because it's [the Yankees'] home base." He paused. "Not literally, by the way." *
