M. Spencer Green / AP

Dodgers manager Joe Torre is back in the playoffs while the Yankees, the team he lead to four World Series titles, are at home.

Torre also helped bridge the Jeff Kent divide, which is still a tenuous situation. Kent is that enigmatic veteran who is admired and respected for his passion for winning, but also dismissed for his curmudgeonly attitude. When Kent went down in late August with a knee injury, requiring arthroscopic surgery and a stint on the 15-day disabled list, the question, “Are the Dodgers better off without Kent?” bubbled in blogs. Kent said he’s ready for the playoffs, although Torre indicated he isn’t sure if he’ll start him or Blake DeWitt at second.

When you consider Kent, Manny, the youngsters, short-fuse owner Frank McCourt, mercurial general manager Ned Colletti, the pricey disappointments and a new city with new media, Torre was one of the few baseball men on Earth capable of making the transition.

Recently, the Yankees held a large celebration to say goodbye to old Yankee Stadium. Joe Torre’s name was not uttered. That could be interpreted as an insult if you failed to consider the buffoons responsible for the omission. They drove off Torre when they offered to give him a one-year contract at a reduced salary. In the aftermath, the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Torre was with the Yankees for 12 years. He led them to 12 consecutive playoff berths, as well as four World Series titles.

The Yankees were without him for one year. They’re sitting home.

The Dodgers are participating in the postseason in their first year of the Joe Torre era.

Not a bad hire.

More news

Tony Gutierrez / AP

More heroics from Hamilton

Josh Hamilton fights off illness to hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 13th inning, lifting the Texas Rangers to an 8-7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Angels win as Pujols HR streak up to 3 games

SEATTLE (AP) - Albert Pujols hit a home run in his third straight game and pinch hitter Alberto Callaspo came through with a grand slam in the sixth inning to give the Los Angeles Angels a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

Headlines

• Label

Saltalamacchia's walkoff HR lifts Red Sox

Red Sox's Valentine calls out Rays' coaches

Teixeira hits 2 HRs as Yankees rout A's

HBT: Santana pitches first shutout in 2 years

Harper homers as Strasburg, Nats beat Braves

Buehrle, Marlins stay hot, beat Giants

Fielder's 4-hit game lifts Tigers over Twins

Fear of losing Montero leads D-backs to big deal