While the Dodgers and Joe Torre still differ over dotted i's and crossed t's, one thing is probably for certain: Torre most likely will take the job in LA as Grady Little's replacement with the Dodgers.  For, which we ask, why?

Prior to his twelve solid years with the Yankees, Torre managed the Mets. Braves and Cardinals to losing records.  When George Steinbrenner hired him to pilot the Yankees, people thought George had lost his mind.  But Torre is a New York boy and his love of the city and of the fans helped turn him into a Yankee legend. 

Twelve trips in a row to the playoffs is an awesome accomplishment in baseball considering free agency and the shifting landscape of ownership (right Ozzie Guillen?  Yeah, we thought so too.)  Torre no doubt had the horses culled from the finest heards.  And now, in leaving New York because he couldn't take the team back to the big dance often enough he is about to stick his hand in a honey jar with a lot of bees.

Based on what I've seen, Torre is going into a highly unstable situation in LA.  It's led by an owner who wants to win but doesn't really have a clue how (see Angelos, comma Peter.)  Everything here points to disaster and a smart man, who is an financially independent as Torre would realize that he's 67 years old and it's time to sit on a beach for a while and count Benjamin's.  But that does not seem like Joe's plan. 

If Torre goes to the Dodgers, he may help employ his friends and former players, perhaps Don Mattingly (who would look ridiculous in a Dodger uniform) as well as Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and perhaps the greatest prize of all: A-Rod (although I hear A-Rod playing for the Dodgers is not going to happen.)  This "let's get the band back together on the west coast" scenario is plausible but ridiculous.

If Joe Torre were thinking with his head instead of his ego, he'd call ESPN, take the train to Bristol a few days a week and enjoy life.  Becoming manager of the Dodgers will not be enjoyable for perhaps both Joe and the fans.  Torre needs to think this through a lot more before he enters into a contract it's possible he'll never finish.

Lightning Round

• Torre Hunter will be meeting with White Sox General Manager Kenny Williamsnext week to discuss a possible move to the Sox.  Kenny better have him at hello if he has a realistic chance.  In many cases, whoever gets the first crack wins.  Hunter would be a nice addition to the Sox and a great way to mess with the Twinkies heads.  Kenny says Hunter "tops his wish list."  Sending Mike MacUseless, Pink Floyd and Juan Uribe to Japan top mine.
  
• Our friend John at Bugs and Cranks has some interesting ideas as to who should play shortstopfor the White Sox in 2008.  He agrees Juan Uribe should not.
  
• Butkus (the football great, not the dog) has some advice for the Bears' embattled Brian Urlacher.  I'd listen to him 54, he could still hurt you.  Butkus D. Dogg could just lick you to death.
  
• Bears GM Jerry Angelo makes sure he points the finger at everybody.  Start your evaluation using a mirror, Jerry.
• I'm starting to think that the Blackhawks may be on the right track after all.
• The Bulls do a lot of things well, but win in new Jersey isn't one of them.
• Note the difference between when Tennessee players get in trouble (suspensions) and LSU players get in trouble (kicked off the team.)  That's why LSU is competing for a championship and Tennessee gets killed by Florida.
• It looks like Rudy will be ready for Oregon.  At least, that's the way his coach spins it.
• (Thanks to AA for the hookup) The Yankees give the WWL another chance and they blow it (again.)  What a bunch of arrogant screwups ESPN has turned into.
• NASCAR track baron Bruton Smith has some ideas to de-pussify NASCAR.  You go, boy!
• Our friends at Sports Media Watch have an excellent take on how bad the ESPN NASCAR coverage has been.  Way too much dirty air there, right Rusty?
  
• Let it not be said that Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold is doing everything he can to sell the team to a group dedicated to keeping it in town.
• If you think the New York media is a bunch of ass clowns, try the Montreal media on for size.  Hé les garçons, embrassent mon âne blanc velu.
• Baseball released it's only female umpire yesterday.  Yeah, no lawsuit potential there.  I don't care how bad they think she is, she's got to be better than Phil Cuzzi.
• Lakers owner Jerry Stiller Buss was fined and suspended for a DUI conviction.  How do you suspend an owner?
• Jon Kitna's sense of humor would be considered a hostile workplace violationanywhere but the NFL.
• The final game of the Japanese world series was decided by a perfect game.  No way.  Way.
• It's clear that on Sunday, all attention will be diverted to the Colts and the Patriots.  The Colts are doing their part making sure there is absolutely no bulletin board material.
• This article explains why I try to avoid Citgo stations.
• Some fine Halloween humor from Jacob at " Food Network Fanatic.
• Here's a law suit that I actually agree with.  Please mark the date and time as it most likely will not happen again any time soon.
• Today's list: Saturday Night Live's Greatest Musical Skits.