No California Dreaming: Dodgers Introduce Torre as Manager

Joe Torre pulled on his Dodger blue cap and gleaming white jersey, squinted into the California sun and immediately paid tribute to one of baseball's most successful franchises.

"I didn't sleep all night," he said. "It's just a great feeling to be here. This is one of a handful of organizations you automatically say yes to."

Indeed, Torre was front and center yesterday for his lavish introduction as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully delivered the opening remarks for a news conference held in center field at Dodger Stadium to accommodate the overload of media -- a first, according to team spokesman Josh Rawitch.

Less than three weeks after walking away from the New York Yankees, Torre was joined at the news conference by Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, General Manager Ned Colletti, pitching ace Brad Penny and former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda.

Torre announced that former Yankees coaches Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa will follow him from New York and join his staff with the Dodgers.

Mattingly's son, Preston, is a minor leaguer in the Dodgers organization.

Torre left the Yankees after 12 seasons and four World Series titles. He follows Casey Stengel as the second person to manage both franchises. . . .

John Russell is taking one of the most challenging jobs in baseball as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team with 15 consecutive losing seasons. Russell, who managed the Phillies' Class AAA team at Ottawa the past two seasons, was hired yesterday, replacing Jim Tracy.

¿ PRO BASKETBALL: Dwyane Wade's surgically repaired knee survived its first real test with no setbacks. During Wade's first full-contact practice this season with the Miami Heat, rookie center Joel Anthony threw his 6-foot-9, 260-pound body toward the 2006 NBA Finals most valuable player as the guard headed toward the basket.

After practice, Wade reported no problems related to his left knee or left shoulder -- both of which were operated on May 15. He still doesn't know when he'll be ready to return to the Miami lineup, which could use a boost after an 0-3 start.

¿ OLYMPICS: Justine Henin might not defend her tennis gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, fearing the city's air pollution could trigger her asthma.

The top-ranked Belgian withdrew from the China Open in September because of her asthma.

The air quality in Beijing is "a big problem," International Olympic Committee inspection team leader Hein Verbruggen said. His remarks came a week after the United Nations said air pollution was a major concern for athletes leading to the Games. . . . Michael Phelps is sleek and swift churning laps in a pool. Moving on dry land is tougher for the eight-time Olympic medalist.

He tripped and fell while getting into a car two weeks ago in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he's training for the Beijing Games. Phelps tried to brace himself with his right hand and ended up breaking a small bone in his wrist.

Doctors inserted a pin to stabilize his wrist, allowing Phelps to return to training sooner.

¿ COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Tyler Hansbrough's junior year at North Carolina has begun much the same way his sophomore year did, as the leading vote-getter on the Associated Press's preseason all-American team.

The 6-foot-9 forward was one vote shy of a unanimous pick and was joined by senior center Roy Hibbert (Georgetown), senior guard Chris Lofton (Tennessee), senior guard Drew Neitzel (Michigan State) and junior guard Darren Collison (UCLA). . . .

Highly touted freshman Derrick Rose had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in his collegiate debut and No. 3 Memphis beat Tennessee-Martin, 102-71, in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic.

-- From News Services