No place like L.A. for Torre

LOS ANGELES - Any time he misses managing in New York, Joe Torre only has to glance at his morning newspaper to come to his senses.

How Torre's Dodgers are playing hasn't been on the front page of the L.A. Times once, and there are no tabloids in Southern California to jump on his every move. No wonder the former Yankees manager looked so relaxed yesterday as he held court in the Dodger Stadium home dugout before the opener of a three-game series with the Mets.

"It becomes more than the sports section in New York," Torre said. "[The media scrutiny] tests your ability to try to control the ups and downs. It's a nice change that baseball is just in the sports section here."

The laid-back atmosphere certainly has made Torre's adjustment to the opposite coast, the National League and life away from the Yankees much smoother. The 9-13 start the Dodgers got off to under Torre last month would have gotten him roasted in New York, but barely registered here. There was precious little booing, no angry back-page headlines, and the loud applause for Torre at Dodger Stadium never dimmed.

Best of all, there were no Steinbrenner-style rants from Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. "There's a desire to win out here, but there's no panic," Torre said.

The Yankees' insulting one-year contract offer and the rise of Hank Steinbrenner in the organization helped convince Torre it was time to ditch the pinstripes.

"It was time for me to go in New York, and I'm sure the people there felt the same way," Torre said. "I loved my time there. It made my career, no question. I always thank George Steinbrenner for that opportunity. But it was time."

Torre turned chilly and changed the subject when asked about Hank Steinbrenner, but the Yankees' early-season struggles under his replacement, Joe Girardi, are no source of pleasure. Torre said he has spoken to Girardi a few times by phone since the season started to offer support.

"He's going to get better," Torre said of Girardi. "That doesn't mean he's not a good manager now. He's very intelligent and has a feel for the game."

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