The Yankees may not be headed to the post-season this year, but their former manager is:
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers waited nearly eight hours to express themselves after clinching their first NL West championship in four years. They made up for the delay with a wild celebration on the field and in the clubhouse.
“We’re not done yet. We have an objective,” champagne-soaked pitcher Chad Billingsley said. “It’s just been a great year, with all we’ve gone through.”
The Dodgers clinched the title without lifting a bat. Entering the day with a magic number of one, they got what they needed when the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks lost 12-3 at St. Louis in the afternoon.
“It’s fine with me we don’t have to do it on the field,” first-year Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. “I’m just happy we did it. I’m very proud of this team. Going to the playoffs never gets old.”
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Torre guided the New York Yankees to four World Series titles and 12 playoff appearances in as many years before leaving the team last fall. He was then hired by the Dodgers, signing a three-year $13 million contract.
This wouldn’t happen if the Yankees were in the hunt this October, but I’ll be rooting for the Dodgers this year, if only because the further they go the madder Little Stein will get.
