Joe Torre is worth the big bucks

I recall months ago being asked whether any baseball manager was worth the three-year, $13-million contract the Dodgers gave Joe Torre.

The answer then: if a team has the players and the manager is the missing link, maybe.

The answer now: definitely.

Torre earns his keep, and today is yet another example.

The Dodgers sweep the Cubs in three games with Russell Martin hitting second and Andre Ethier batting cleanup, behind Manny Ramirez.

So, of course, in today's opener against the Phillies, Martin and Ethier are switched. The reason is that the Phillies started a left-hander, Cole Hamels, and Torre wanted a right-handed hitter protecting Ramirez.

That's playing percentages. But how many managers would have dared to tinker with a winning lineup?

Torre did, and what happens? Ethier doubles, Ramirez doubles and the Dodgers lead, 1-0.

Yeah, he's worth it.

-- Mike Hiserman

Photo: Joe Torre before Game 1 of the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies. Credit: Jeff Zelevansky / Getty Images