Dodgers introduce Torre as manager

Baseball Betting Lines

11/05/2007 - Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Joe Torre was formally introduced as the new manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday morning, in ceremony at Dodger Stadium.

Torre had been named Dodgers manager on Thursday, and he agreed to a three- year deal to become the 26th manager in franchise history. Torre also announced Monday that Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa, who had been on his staff with the New York Yankees, would join him in Los Angeles.

"We introduce a great man who is a winner and a leader. No doubt, a future Hall of Famer," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said. "What impresses me most about this gentleman is that he has done it both on and off the field. (general manager) Ned Colletti and I agree, there is no substitute for a strong character to lead our team to the top...Unrelenting, he leads and he wins."

In a speech steeped in nostalgia, set in the Dodger Stadium outfield, Torre talked about his ties to New York teams. He managed the Yankees, grew up rooting for the Giants, and now has the opportunity to manage the Dodgers, formerly of Brooklyn.

"This is one of the handful of organizations that you automatically say 'yes' to," Torre said. "When I think of the Dodgers, I think of efficiency, I think of pride, I think of measuring stick...You always measured yourself by the Dodgers because they did everything right. They had a stature that you really looked up to."

Torre said that he had never experienced winning like he did in his 12 years with the Yankees, when they made the postseason every season and won four World Series Championships.

But he said he was at peace with his decision to leave, and had been on an "emotional roller coaster" since. Torre indicated that after he decided not to go back to the Yankees, his representative presented him with scenarios, including sitting in the booth for the World Series.

"To me, that's like seeing somebody else eat a hot fudge sundae," Torre said.

Then he said he learned of some inquiries about the Dodgers, and the process accelerated from there.

"You say goodbye to one prestigious organization and you say hello to another," Torre said.

The Dodgers were just 82-80 last season under Grady Little and finished fourth in the NL West. Little, who called 2007 the toughest year of his career because of bickering between the team's veteran and young players, resigned earlier this week despite having one more year and a club option year left on his contract. He called the decision to step down a mutual one between himself and the club.

Meanwhile, Torre left the Yankees after balking at a one-year incentive- laden offer to remain as manager after 12 seasons in the Bronx. The club offered him a one-year $5 million deal that could have landed Torre as much as $8 million had the Bombers won the World Series.

But the team has lost in the first round of the playoffs in three consecutive seasons and Torre is just 4-13 in his last 17 postseason games. As a result, the Yankees made the change, officially naming Joe Girardi his successor on Tuesday.

Torre has 2,067 career victories for sole possession of eighth place on baseball's all-time managerial wins list and ranks second on the Yankees all- time victories list. He's also managed the Mets (1977-81), Braves (1982-84) and Cardinals (1990-95) during his career.

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 Little (2006-07).

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MySportsbook.com: NBA Championship Odds

With the playoffs about two months away, the top two teams in the Western Conference are the clear cut leaders to win the NBA Championship. The Dallas Mavericks have the best record in the NBA (44-9) and have been absolutely scorching since the second week of the season.  What makes the Mavs’ record more impressive is the fact that they dropped their first four games of the season.  Currently they have won 17 out of their last 18 and are MySportsbook.com’s favorite (2-1) to win it all.  Right behind the Mavs are the Pacific leading Phoenix Suns (39-13).  Last season, the Suns lost in the Conference Finals to non-other then the Mavericks four games to two.  Of course the Suns were without center Amare Stoudemire who has is averaging 19.9 PPG and 9.5 RPG since coming back from his knee injury.  Unlike the Mavs, the Suns have struggled a bit lately having lost their last three and four out of their last seven.  Of course the main reason for their three straight loses is due to the absence of two time MVP Steve Nash, who is out with a shoulder injury.  Heads-up, the Mavs have beaten the Suns in both of their meetings this season.

In the Eastern Conference, the Pistons (32-19) are the favorites to win it all at 6-1. The addition of Chris Webber seems to have been a good move for the Pistons.  Since coming over from the 76ers, Webber has averaged 13.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG and the Pistons are 11-4.  Even though the defending champion Heat are currently on the playoff making cusp, they are the Eastern Conference team that is getting the most action to win it all (9-1).  The fact that Shaquille O’Neal is back in the starting lineup after missing 39 games probably has something to do with this.  No doubt, Shaq makes a difference when in the lineup as their winning six out of their last seven would indicate.

Just because it is the All-Star break doesn’t mean that you can’t bet on NBA hoops this weekend.  Be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com to bet on who you think will cut down the nets this July. Also, be sure to check out all of the lines and props for All-Star weekend.  With the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry, there are plenty of ways to cash in on the NBA this weekend.

MySportsbook.com’s NBA Championship odds:

Atlanta Hawks 1000-1

Boston Celtics 5000-1

Charlotte Bobcats 5000-1

Chicago Bulls 20-1

Cleveland Cavaliers 20-1

Dallas Mavericks 2-1

Denver Nuggets 25-1

Detroit Pistons 6-1

Golden State Warriors 250-1

Houston Rockets 12-1

Indiana Pacers 60-1

Los Angeles Clippers 45-1

Memphis Grizzlies 5000-1

Miami Heat 9-1

Milwaukee Bucks 1000-1

Minnesota T-Wolves 200-1

New Jersey Nets 50-1

New Orleans Hornets 150-1

New York Knicks 150-1

Orlando Magic 75-1

Philadelphia 76ers 1000-1

Phoenix Suns 5-2

Portland TrailBlazers 1000-1

Sacramento Kings 250-1

San Antonio Spurs 9-1

Seattle Sonics 5000-1

Toronto Raptors 35-1

Utah Jazz 20-1

Washington Wizards 25-1

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