Picture this- Joe Torre, the mastermind behind the Yankees’ late-90s dynasty and four World Series championships, singing the praises of a National League manager. We’re talking about the same Torre who led teams to 14 consecutive postseason appearances and doesn’t exactly throw compliments around, especially not to rivals across league lines. But here we are, with the Yankees icon tipping his cap to Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts on Torre’s birthday, no less, dropping serious praise about what Roberts has built in LA.
The Dodgers under Roberts have become something of a phenomenon, haven’t they? Since taking over in 2016, Roberts has transformed LA into a perennial powerhouse, capturing that elusive World Series title in 2020 and keeping the team competitive year after year. Want to guess what makes this so impressive? It’s not just the wins—it’s how he’s managed to keep a clubhouse full of superstars united and focused. Torre sees it clearly: “I always looked at the Dodgers as the Yankees of the National League, because you either love them or hate them.”
Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre on what the Dodgers have become:
“I always looked at the Dodgers as the Yankees of the National League, because you either love them or hate them. What Dave Roberts has done has been remarkable.”
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) July 18, 2025
But here’s where it gets interesting—Torre’s three-word secret behind Roberts’ success: “keeping them hungry.” That’s it. Simple, right? “I always looked at the Dodgers as the Yankees of the National League, because you either love them or hate them,” Torre told Dodgers Dugout. “What Dave Roberts has done has been remarkable.” Torre explained how challenging it is to “mash up those players” with such diverse personalities and egos, noting that “Being able to mash up those players takes a big deal of ability and isn’t easy for a manager,” before adding that Roberts has done “a great job keeping everybody together and keeping them hungry.” Tbh, it makes sense when you think about it—hunger is what separates good teams from dynasties.
The proof is in the pudding when you look at how Dodgers stars have bought into Roberts’ system. Max Muncy, who’s seen plenty of managers in his career, gets it: “He manages this club based on the guys in this room,” rather than just following some generic playbook. That hunger Torre talks about—the thirst for excellence that keeps championship-caliber players motivated, all the same, even while they are already at the top of their game. Well, what does Torre have to say about it all? Few voices in baseball are more authoritative.
Joe Torre’s rare words carry dynasty weight.
What is interesting about Joe Torre endorsing it is that such a statement comes from a quiet man whose talking has become so infrequent. How do his words carry the weight they do? Torre did much more than spend 12 seasons managing the Yankees; he also ran his team to become a true dynasty that still haunts opposing teams. Indeed, his record reads: Four World Series titles, six AL pennants, and 12 straight appearances in the playoffs. Speak louder than any statistics you’ll find.
The 1998 Yankees blazed their trail to 125 wins, and they remain contenders for the vaunted title of “the greatest team ever.” But here’s where it gets wild—Torre’s Yankees consistently overperformed their expected win totals by 41 games, something analysts dubbed the “Torre clutch effect.” Now that’s the kind of manager who spots greatness brewing elsewhere.
Image: MLB.com
Torre has deliberately stepped back from the limelight since hanging up his uniform. He shifted from Chief Baseball Officer to Special Assistant to the Commissioner, choosing a quieter path. Age and travel demands have pushed him further from public appearances, and his choice to never manage again shows both humility and wisdom about time’s reality.
Torre orchestrated his exit without fanfare or grand announcements—a master’s quiet bow, executed exactly as he’d want it. Tbh, when Torre breaks his silence to praise another manager’s work, especially on his birthday, he’s not just giving props—he’s officially passing the torch from one baseball legend to another.
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