I haven't posted in awhile. It's because I've been in a post-Torre malaise after hearing the news about 24. If you haven't heard, Season 7 of the show has been cancelled because of the writers' union strike. Unlike other shows where the network can just stretch their new episodes out with reruns, 24 runs in real time. FOX determined that it couldn't spend the money to promote the show for its January start unless it had more than roughly one-third of the episodes written. The show had already been delayed by a season plot-reset (it was originally to take place in Africa) and the California wildfires. Kiefer's prison sentence doesn't help matters much either. Thus, we now have to wait until September 2008 for the next worst day in Jack Bauer's life. What's unclear at this point is whether FOX will simply continue with the episodes it already shot or scrap them and come up with an entirely new plot line. The current one apparently involves Tony Almeida both alive and evil. Tony may want to be employed in some capacity betwee now and next summer, so that may not be possible. Guess we'll have to see.

Thanks, pinkos.

Since every other post currently on the front page of this blog is now about the Los Angeles Dodgers, I see no reason not to mention that Russell Martin received his first Gold Glove, that Don Mattingly will bear the number 8 instead of his usual 23 as a part of his new start with the Dodgers (in homage to Yogi Berra), and that the Dodgers are currently hot on Miguel Cabrera, A-Rod, and Johan Santana. All good signs that the McCourts are serious. Then again, they apparently just signed Chan Ho Park to a minor league deal. Got me.

The Dodgers are also now apparently eyeing Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome. Given his name, though, I think it would be much more appropriate if he were to play for the Twins.

That is all for now.

The picture I've been waiting for.

Vin Scully formally introduces Joe Torre as Dodgers skipper along with Frank McCourt and Ned Colletti.

Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa have both also been officially hired as bench coach and hitting coach. From the Los Angeles Times:

Two coaches for Torre's staff have been hired: Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa, both of whom were coaches under Torre in New York. Mattingly has a son, Preston, who is in the Dodgers' minor league organization.

"Don Mattingly, I can't tell you how excited he is," Torre said. "We're just looking to go to work."

Torre, who was raised in Brooklyn and has managed the Yankees and now will manage the Dodgers, admitted when he was growing up, "I was a Giants fan. I want to apologize for that."

Things are finally looking up.

AAA-Rod?

Hank Steinbrenner on Alex Rodriguez: "Does he want to go into the Hall of Fame as a Yankee, or a Toledo Mud Hen?"

The Toledo Mud Hens to Alex Rodriguez: "Go into the Hall of Fame as a Toledo Mud Hen."

SI.com:

A letter sent on Thursday to Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, offered a deal with a bonus if A-Rod leads the team to 10 consecutive International League titles.

But the offer stipulates that Rodriguez will have to compete for a spot with Toledo third basemen Mike Hessman, the league's most valuable player last season.

"Would your client be willing to play a different position?" the letter asked.

Dodgers sign Joe Torre to a three-year deal worth $14.5 million.