Joe Torre is officially the new manager of the Dodgers. My father would have been delighted. Not so much because he cared about the Dodgers since they left Brooklyn, or because he thought Torre a true class act, but because Torre told the Yankees to screw off and then set out for Hollywood. At least that’s the way Pop would have seen it.

I’m really happy about the news too. I have no idea how Torre will do with the Dodgers but I do feel this: Is there really any other place he could have ended up? It’s perfect. It’s Brooklyn-to-L.A., it’s the Yankees and the Dodgers, it’s celebrity and personality, Broadway-to-Hollyrock. I love it. The Dodgers have a rich history and beautiful home uniforms. Plus, what do I care about the Dodgers? They play in the National League West. I haven’t paid attention to them–outside of what I read at Dodger Thoughts–for years. Torre instantly makes me interested, win or lose.

This is cool.

Jon’s already got some great analysis–thanks to Cliff, Jay Jaffe and Steve Goldman–over at DT. Check it out.