Padilla seemed obvious choice to start Game 5

Here were Joe Torre's options when it came to picking a starter for Game 5 of the National League Championship Series:

A) He could go with a veteran who had completely dominated the opposition in his first two playoff starts and has not lost a game since coming to the Dodgers in August.

B) He could go with a 21-year-old left-hander who looked, well, 21 during a fifth-inning implosion in Game 1 when he lost command of his pitches and gave up five runs.

The only question really is, what took the Dodgers manager so long to confirm he was going with Vicente Padilla over Clayton Kershaw, something Torre finally did through the Dodgers' PR staff a few minutes ago?

Only about an hour earlier when he met with the media, Torre still had not made his decision official. Asked whether the result of tonight's Game 4 would affect his decision, Torre said it "probably" wouldn't and that he had let both pitchers know they might start.

Padilla pitched for the Phillies from 2000-05, going 49-49, and he could get a rude reception from the notoriously nasty fans at Citizens Bank Park. But he has already pitched one gem on the road this postseason, holding St. Louis scoreless over seven innings at Busch Stadium during the Dodgers' clinching Game 3 victory in the division series.

-- Ben Bolch

Photo: Vicente Padilla. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Sporting News ranks Los Angeles as fifth-best sports city

It appears the Lakers' NBA title and the Dodgers' second consecutive playoff appearance has done a lot for Los Angeles as far as the Sporting News is concerned.

The magazine has released its rankings of the nation's top sports cities and Los Angeles was No. 5 on the list -- a jump of three spots over its 2008 ranking.

"The Lakers' bringing home the NBA title was the story in L.A., but look at what Joe Torre accomplished with the Dodgers and what the college landscape -- football and basketball -- has looked like there over the past 12 months," said Bob Hille, Sporting News' chief of correspondents.

As the cover indicates, Pittsburgh was named the top sports city thanks to the Steelers' Super Bowl triumph and the Penguins' Stanley Cup victory.

Philadelphia is No. 2, Boston No. 3 and Chicago No. 4. Los Angeles/Anaheim was named the best sports city in America in 2003. Here's this year's full list.

-- Austin Knoblauch

Photo: Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, left, and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the cover of the Sporting News.

Thursday's poll: Who is the better manager, Mike Scioscia or Joe Torre?

Mike Scioscia is the best manager in Angels' history, while Joe Torre is one of the best managers in baseball history. But which would you rather have managing your team?

Vote in today's poll and let your voice be heard, then leave a comment letting us know why you voted the way you did.

-- Houston Mitchell

Dodgers: Manny Ramirez rests

CINCINNATI -- Manny Ramirez is out of the Dodgers' lineup today, as Manager Joe Torre said the former All-Star outfielder looks tired.

"I think his legs are a little heavy right now," Torre said. "I think it's from playing every day. He had spring training, then he was gone for 50 games, close to two months. I don't care how much you're doing, you need another spring training, and he didn't have that."

Torre wanted to rest either Rafael Furcal or Orlando Hudson today but opted to play them both because of how they looked in the Dodgers' win on Saturday.

In other news, Torre said that there's a strong possibility that Hiroki Kuroda could pitch on Tuesday for Class-A Inland Empire.

Here's the Dodgers' lineup:

Rafael Furcal SS

Juan Pierre LF

Andre Ethier RF

Matt Kemp CF

Casey Blake 3B

James Loney 1B

Russell Martin C

Orlando Hudson 2B

Clayton Kershaw P

-- Dylan Hernandez

Photo: Manny Ramirez takes a break during batting practice at Dodger Stadium earlier this season. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times

Ted Green: Why did Joe Torre use James McDonald?

So let me see if I have this right.

The Dodgers are desperately holding on to what precious little is left of their once-healthy nine-game lead. It's Aug. 25, the biggest game of the year to date. The Rockies are white-hot, closing to within three games the night before against the Giants on a dramatic walk-off grand slam in the 14th inning.  The Rockies have so much "Moe," as in momentum, the Three Stooges are jealous.

Once 15 games behind the Dodgers and dead last in the NL West, here they were, L.A. and Colorado, tied 4-4 in the 10th inning in a big potential momentum-turning type of game.

And Joe Torre brings in ... James McDonald?

Old McDonald, as in Ee i ee i ... NO?

McDonald isn't old, he's just 24, but he does need to go back to the farm.

He was no more ready for that kind of high-wire moment than Ronald McDonald.

When he came in to start the 10th, I promise this is true, I immediately turned to a colleague here in the sports department and said:

To borrow from Eric Gagne, only in reverse, Game Over.

Ted Green: Juan Pierre's world just isn't fair

Just as perhaps a million people flock to L.A. to celebrate the life of a supernaturally gifted entertainer, but possible pedophile, and just as we cheer ourselves hoarse for a steroid cheat because he's a colorful savant who happens to hit the heck out of a baseball, so, too, do we often ignore the understated professionals who work hard, say little, exceed expectations and play by the rules.

Welcome to Juan's world.

You almost shook your head knowingly when National League managers entrusted with making the right calls ignored Juan Pierre, too, choosing Orlando Hudson as an All-Star reserve instead of Pierre, who's hitting a phat 40 points higher than his slumping teammate, .328 to .288.

That .328, by the way, is fifth best in the National League and sixth best in all of baseball. And two of the five guys ahead of him are named Suzuki and Pujols.

Yet, amid a sea of 99 jerseys and braided wigs, good luck finding one fan wearing a number 9 with "Pierre" stitched across the back.

But if it's professionalism you admire, look no farther than the Dodgers' new backup left fielder.

Not only did Pierre step into the Dodger outfield when Manny got caught trying to get pregnant, or whatever he was doing with P-E-D's, but the 32-year-old from Louisiana performed brilliantly, immediately becoming the team's most reliable everyday player. What's more, when Manny finished his 50-game penance and was proclaimed ready to take over the world again, with all seemingly forgiven and forgotten, as if nothing happened, Pierre didn't utter a peep.

Ted Green: L.A. stories ... asked and answered

These L.A. stories are in the news. And if they're not, they will be. Let me help with some perspective and explanation.

An idea for crowd control: If they do hold a huge Michael Jackson memorial service at Staples Center on Tuesday, have a Sparks game come in immediately behind it. That should clear the arena quickly and safely.

Why Manny won't apologize: Because it's like asking a frat boy to apologize for drinking beer. Why should he when everyone on frat row is doing the same thing? Ever notice that none of the performance enhancers who get busted in baseball ever show an iota of genuine remorse or honest contrition? And when they do apologize, it's because their agents tell them it's good PR. Why don't they ever own up? Because they aren't sorry! They figure they're doing what 95% of players in every clubhouse have, and likely still are doing, which is juicing, a way of life in today's game. They're only sorry they get caught.

Why Juan Pierre, a top 10 hitter in the National League, has to go back to the bench: Because his next home run this season will be his first. Because with his arm, Juan needs TWO relay men. Because they're paying Manny mucho dinero. And because no one wants to pay to sit in Pierrewood.

Why it's non-negotiable -- the Dodgers and Ned Colletti must bring in a front-line pitcher: Because they could lose their chance at the World Series if they don't. And if Joe Torre keeps over-relying on the bullpen the way he has, the Troncosos, Belisarios and Broxtons are gonna be KICKING the ball up to home plate by mid-August. But Kershaw is growing up very quickly now, right before our eyes. If they add a Peavy or Cliff Lee and Manny hits, they're way good to go.

Why Randy Wolf gets so many no-decisions: Is it lack of run support, bad luck, occasionally good luck? I can't decide. Apparently, it's contagious. But if he gets any more no-decisions, he's going to have to start pitching for the government.

Why Kobe is staying with the Lakers: Because the water along the Riverwalk in San Antonio is dirty and muddy? Because you can't find good sushi in Memphis? Because Houston has a problem? Because 20 other NBA franchises are useless? I mean, where would he go, New York? They have no players. Besides, the Knicks haven't won a title since Red Holzman had hair and Phil Jackson was 27 with hips of his own that worked. Of COURSE Kobe is staying with the Lakers. L.A. is his home and he owns this city now. Besides, staying is his only shot at catching Jordan and his six rings.

Why Shaq won't make the difference in Cleveland: Because he's on the downside. Because his downside has a downside and it's getting steeper by the minute. The Cavs were already playing too slowly and not scoring enough points BEFORE Shaq got there. Now they'll be playing at the speed of a 33-RPM vinyl record. LeBron can film three more puppet commercials in the time it'll take Shaq to cross half-court.

Why the Clippers are apparently trading their top scorer, Zach Randolph: You really have to ask? Randolph is one of those NBA scorers who is just good enough to lose 60 games with. I hear there is actually a lottery Ping-Pong ball that has Zach's picture on it. Besides, in financial terms, owing Zach Randolph $33 million must feel like owning stock in General Motors. Plus, confidence in your scoring ability is not the same thing as smart. The Clips knew Zach would still need 30 touches a night to feel like The Man, but there's only room for one man and Blake Griffin is The Man now. Or should be by January.

-- Ted Green

Green formerly covered sports for the L.A. Times. He is currently senior sports producer for KTLA Prime News.

Photo: Manny Ramirez walks back to the Inland Empire 66ers dugout after striking out in a minor league game Sunday. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre on Manny Ramirez

Below are a few tidbits from Dodgers Manager Joe Torre’s meeting with reporters before the game on Friday night.

Asked if Manny Ramirez was set to start upon his return from a 50-game suspension, Torre deflected the question, saying:

“That’s going to have to come out of a different department. I’m not at liberty to tell you anything, because there’s really nothing that we know for sure until something happens. … It’s going to have to come from someone higher than I am, probably from the [public relations] people.”

The PR folks might be wondering when a potential pay raise would kick in. (Torre is under a three-year, $13-million deal he signed in 2007.)

The response sent reporters laughing.

Asked if Ramirez’s suspension was a benefit to other players, Torre said:

“Even when Manny was down, we felt -- or at least I felt -- don’t try to do anything more than what you’re doing. We have a lineup that -- for the first month and a half, maybe more -- we had Casey Blake batting eighth. So you’re talking about a lineup with that kind of length to it –- you have a guy coming off the bench when Manny was not available for us to be Juan Pierre, a guy a couple of years played 162 games -- so we’ve been pretty lucky to have the quality that we’ve had. Even to the point of [Brad] Ausmus and [Juan] Castro and [Mark] Loretta, and these guys who’ve been regulars in the past, being a part of our bench group. So it did not surprise me that we’ve done well. I think the fact that we haven’t scored a lot of runs is a product of Manny not being here because he certainly makes us better. He certainly keeps these guys from thinking, 'I have to do it, I have to do it, I have to do it.' When he’s here, he’s certainly that threat that makes people around him better aside from his own ability.”

Torre named to All-Star coaching staff

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre has been selected as one of the National League coaches for the July 14 All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Torre played for the St. Louis Cardinals for six years and managed them for an additional five. He won the NL Most Valuable Player award as a Cardinal in 1971, when he hit .363 with 24 home runs and 137 runs batted in.

Torre and Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa were selected as coaches by NL Manager Charlie Manuel of the Philadelphia Phillies, with Trey Hillman of the Kansas City Royals and Don Wakamatsu of the Seattle Mariners selected as coaches by the American League manager, Joe Maddon of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Maddon, formerly the bench coach under Angels Manager Mike Scioscia,  told The Times' Kevin Baxter last week that he wanted to pick Scioscia but league officials advised otherwise, since Scioscia almost certainly will coach next season, when the All-Star Game is played in Anaheim.

-- Bill Shaikin

Photo: Dodgers Manager Joe Torre. Credit: Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times

Sammy Sosa news: Joe Torre, Jason Giambi, Don Mattingly react

The news that former Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa  allegedly tested positive for

performance-enhancing drugs in 2003 triggered plenty of reaction in the clubhouses of the Dodgers and Angels, as well as the A's, who play the Dodgers tonight.

While a full story will be on latimes.com/sports later tonight, the A's Jason Giambi this afternoon talked with Los Angeles Times columnist Kurt Streeter. Asked whether releasing the entire list of 104 players who tested positive could help baseball move forward, he acknowledged, “It could. I don’t know. It could. I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about it.... I've moved on."

Former Yankees great Don Mattingly, now the Dodgers hitting coach, told Times baseball columnist Bill Shaikin:

"I don't think it surprises anybody any more. I think it's good that we've got a policy in

place. It protects everybody. It protects the fans. It protects the teams. It protects the

players from each other. The more that fans can trust that what they're seeing is what

they're getting, the better.

 

"Obviously, there's a lot of guys. I'd just go ahead -- if there's 103 guys, let's get 'em

all out. We'll know who's who and go from there. We'll get it over with."