I don't see it.

Joe Torre to manage the Dodgers? It was a stretch for Mr. Middle America to take on New York. But Hollywood?

Say it ain't so, Joe.

Or better yet, say it ain't so Dodgers.

The same Joe Torre who flooded the engine at the start of the 2007 season with his lead footed management of the Yankees pitching staff driving the Dodgers Audi? The same Joe Torre whose winning percentage in the National League stands at 47% taking over an 82 win team that faded when it counted?

That will work.

To be fair, hiring Torre wouldn't be a ridiculous move. There is an upside. The players who disliked Grady Little, and there were more than a few, will like Torre. Everybody does, including the press. And there's alot of press in Southern California.

Alex Rodriquez also likes Joe Torre. Just saying, but maybe the best case for hiring Torre is a 2-1. Get a manager, sign a mega star. It's the right time for Torre to leave the Big Apple and past time for ARod to get a fresh start on a different coast.

Veteran players, and the long in tooth Dodgers have some of those, might get their acts together under the calming influence of Torre. Luis Gonzalez, Nomar Garciapara, Jeff Kent, Jason Schmidt, Randy Wolf, and Derek Lowe might find something left in the tank under his guidance.

But I'll go out on a limb and saw it off. Torre won't make a difference in Los Angeles. In March the press will spin everything in his favor. In April, if the Dodgers show signs of life, he'll be a genius. But unless Alex Rodriquez is wearing Dodger blue or the pitching staff is as good as the sum of its reputations, the bloom will be off the rose by July. In September it will be an alien autopsy without the fun guests.

Torre didn't light any fires under his Yankee veterans, and lost his job because of it. His approach won't change, but the talent is far inferior. When it comes time to push, when it comes time to worry about wins and losses instead of veteran egos, Torre won't answer the bell. He didn't in New York, and he won't in LA.

The simple question about Joe Torre, manager, is this. How did he get so smart with the Yankees and look so ordinary with the Mets, Braves, and Cardinals? Is Joe Torre Ralph Houk or Ralph Cramden?

The managing part shouldn't be a problem. Managing is managing, and the transition back from the AL will be over talked in the press. Torre was a catcher in the NL, and managed 1800 games in the Senior Circuit, so it shouldn't take long for him to become accustomed to the occasional bunt and the double switch.

If Torre brings Don Mattingly over as bench coach it will be a non-factor, a bad deal for both. Mattingly is ready to manage and gains little.  He also doesn't have the knowledge of National League hitters and pitchers. On a very average team, that knowledge is important.

Bottom line, Joe Torre may get three more wins with Grady Little's team in 2007. That puts the magic number at 85, far short of the playoffs. Sign ARod and the ceiling goes up.

But Joe Torre to the World Series managing the Dodgers? Don't bet on it.