Joe Torre Quits MLB, Joins Group Seeking Dodgers Ownership

Joe Torre is moving on to yet another new chapter in his baseball career.

After one year working under Bud Selig as the MLB’s executive vice president of baseball operations, Torre has resigned in order to join a group bidding to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I am so appreciative of the chance the commissioner gave me to see the game from a different perspective by working for Major League Baseball, especially during such a great time for our sport,” Torre, who spent numerous seasons managing the New York Yankees before becoming the skipper for the Dodgers in 2008, said in a statement released by the MLB.

In Torre’s absence, senior vice presidents Joe Garagiola Jr., Kim Ng and Peter Woodfork will oversee the baseball operations functions of the commissioner’s office, MLB.com reports. A permanent replacement will be named at a later date.

According to CBSSports.com, Torre, 71, will join an investment group headed by Rick Caruso, real estate developer perhaps best known for The Grove, the highly successful shopping and entertainment complex located in Los Angeles.

Speaking on Caruso, Torre said:

“I have great confidence in [his] unique qualifications and his ability to lead a successful bid for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In Rick I found a partner who understands consumers and fully appreciates that the Dodgers are a treasured LA institution. Since moving to Los Angeles, I have seen firsthand Rick’s dedication to business and people in Los Angeles. I am very excited about this new opportunity.”

Other potential bidders include Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, a group featuring former Lakers star Magic Johnson and a group that includes former agent Dennis Gilbert and talk show host Larry King.

Initial bids for the Dodgers, put up for sale after former owner Frank McCourt took it into bankruptcy following a messy divorce with his ex-wife Jamie, are due by Jan. 23.

Is Joe Torre the right person to take over the Dodgers franchise? Chime in with your thoughts on the matter in the comment section below.