One of the best things the New York Yankees had going for them during their run of World Series titles in the late 1990s and early 2000s was their then-manager, Joe Torre. Torre did an outstanding job not only of managing talented players, but for the most part also keeping their egos in check. The Yankees almost were — dare I say it? — likeable.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who open the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, have picked up another supporter in yours truly. They jumped at the chance to hire Torre when the Yankees fired him last year, and it’s paying off. I like how Torre has brought together a clubhouse that reportedly was fractured at the start of the season. I like how the Dodgers were able to relax in the NLDS and beat a Chicago Cubs team that was far more talented. And I like how Torre is able to roll with the punches even with a nut job like Manny Ramirez on the roster.
If the Dodgers eventually win the World Series, Torre has to get a lot of the credit. With the way they’re playing, and with the guy they have running the show, I’m giving them a pretty good shot.

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