Postseason return tugs at Torre's emotions

PITTSBURGH -- Joe Torre had just advanced to the postseason, like that's never happened.

"It still chokes me up, to be honest with you," said Torre, who had temporarily postponed his postgame meeting with the media so he could tour the clubhouse, hugging the players who made it possible.

Dodgers at a glance 2009 record: 95-67 2008 record: 84-78 NL West champs NL best record NLCS matchup: Phillies at Dodgers Postseason tix: Buy now WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Loney: Taking good swings • Kuo: Long road back • Thome: Back in Philly • Loney: Building resume • Bullpen: Led by Broxton • Torre: Rep precedes him • Blake: Chemistry guy • Kershaw: Game 1 nod? • Dodgers: Eyes on prize • Kemp: Path of the pros • Furcal: Back healthy • Kershaw: Like Koufax • Hudson: Keeping head up • Billingsley: Unknown role • Ethier: Slump over • Torre: Tough decisions • Kershaw: Elite comparisons • Kemp: Nearly elite • Kershaw: Path to the pros • Billingsley: Fate in balance • Ethier: Aims to improve • Torre: Back to playoffs • Kershaw: Ready to rock • Rotation: Plenty of options • Kemp: Chasing LA history • Bullpen: Dominant pair • Honeycutt: Pitching guru • Kemp: Tools to match talent • Ethier: Walk-off wonder • Billingsley: Vying for spot • Ethier/Kemp: Dynamic duo • Torre: Another pennant race • Pierre: Receives high praise • Kershaw: Beyond his years More Dodgers coverage • Dodgers, Broxton stung by Phils in ninth Game 4 remains unkind to Broxton Phillies have Dodgers in tight spot Dodgers attempt to shake off heartbreaker With season on line, LA turns to Padilla Dodgers overwhelmed in Game 3 Wolf to put fond memories aside Kuroda makes no excuses for performance Runs hard to come by for Dodgers Beyond Game 4, rotation a question Dodgers ready to weather chill in Philly Kuroda gets ball for Game 3 Temperatures will be a challenge Rally revives Dodgers, evens NLCS Dodgers can't recover from Phils' homers Sherrill's rough inning costly Kershaw unravels quickly in Gm. 1 For starters, Dodgers have options October continues to be Torre's time After sweep, Dodgers reload rotation Sweep deal: Dodgers return to NLCS Dodgers hope party isn't last of 2009 Manny's big game a great sign Sweep leaves LA waiting on Rox, Phils Padilla silences critics with gem Dodgers excited, but keep eye on prize Affable Padilla on top of his game Torre, the person, leads way Dodgers stun Cardinals in ninth From walk to walk-off, Blake set stage Kershaw comes of age in Game 2 start Holliday takes place in long line of 'goats' Padilla grateful for 'second life' in LA Cards focused, but history against them Kemp, bullpen pull through in Game 1 Kershaw ready to grow up on big stage Short turnaround awaits NLDS foes Dodgers, Cardinals break left-on-base mark Middle of defense turns tables fast Billingsley gets call for Game 4 No surprises as Dodgers set roster Call to Wolf is easy decision One win nets Dodgers division, home-field Dodgers end drama, wrap up NL West Dodgers' division lead whittled to one Dodgers leave SD without division title LA drops chance to clinch NL West Ohman undergoes shoulder surgery Bucs keep Dodgers' celebration on ice Dodgers stunned; West party on hold Dodgers clinch postseason berth Playoffs await after win over Bucs Dodgers denied in playoff clinch attempt Wolf rolling as postseason beckons Blake playing it careful with hamstring Dodgers trim playoff magic number to one Billingsley sharp, LA not in loss to Nats Postseason magic number down to two Dodgers beat Giants' ace to stay on track Kershaw says he's ready to go Ethier blossoms into prime-time player Billingsley confident turnaround is coming Kershaw pitching beyond his years Ethier helps Dodgers pad West lead Dodgers shut down by former ace Penny Dodgers leave Giants reeling in NL West Dodgers protect lead with Kuroda's help Bauman: Pitching will carry Dodgers Messy ninth inning costs Dodgers

And when Torre says he's being honest with you, you can't help but believe it. You've seen the images for almost a decade and a half, first with the Yankees, now with the Dodgers.

One of the most accomplished managers in the history of the game, with four World Series rings and an iconic reputation, letting his emotions show and he did it again for a few moments after Saturday night's 8-4 win over the Pirates.

"It's pretty amazing," Torre said. "I've spent my whole career as a player sitting at home in October. What's happened to me the last 14 years, it's absolutely amazing. My wife said in 1996 after we won the World Series, 'There it is, we can retire.' And I said, 'Let's see if we can do it again.' She's stopped asking."

Torre, 69, is in the second year of a three-year contract that he's said will probably be his last, while others speculate that if the Dodgers go all the way this season, he'll bow out on top. Of course, that's what his wife thought 13 years ago.

Now he's caught Atlanta's Bobby Cox with a Major League record-tying 14th consecutive postseason appearance as a manager. He's asked about catching Cox and he looked a little surprised.

"I don't know who I caught," he said. "Every time my contract came up in New York, I never wanted to go anywhere else and start over. To go to the postseason 12 times with the Yankees, and now two years with the Dodgers, I'm the luckiest guy in the world. Nobody could have dreamed of doing stuff like this."

So, even though he had earlier said there would be no clubhouse celebration until the Dodgers clinched the National League West title (the magic number is two), he softened his stance after talking to general manager Ned Colletti.

"I knew we had to recognize getting to the postseason," he said. "We don't want to let it go by without acknowledging it, but we still have more work to do."

Speaking of work, Torre was pushing the buttons in the winning eighth-inning rally on Saturday. Even though Mark Loretta had a single and RBI double in three at-bats, he sent James Loney to hit with two on and one out. The Pirates countered with left-hander Phil Dumatrait, but Loney drew a walk to load the bases. With Russell Martin up, the Pirates brought on right-hander Steve Jackson, but Torre answered by pinch-hitting for Martin with Andre Ethier, who walked in the tying run.

Orlando Hudson battled back from an 0-2 count to walk in the tiebreaking run and Torre took the wraps off the crippled Jim Thome to hit for pitcher George Sherrill. Thome lined a two-run single to right field, even though he would have been thrown out at first if right fielder Garrett Jones had tried. Thome is 3-for-12 pinch-hitting for the Dodgers and figures to make the postseason roster, even though he can't run or play the field.

"You know what? He's a threat," Torre said. "I have to stay away from a double-play situation with him. With the bases loaded, that's a different animal. He's aware of the strike zone. They have to pitch to him. He knows what he's doing."

Just like his manager.