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Torre makes Dodgers' managerial debut

Mar 31, 2008 - 12:54 PM San Francisco (0-0) at LA Dodgers (0-0) 4:10 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- After winning four World Series titles in his 12 seasons as manager of the New York Yankees, Joe Torre is back in the National League.

Torre makes his Los Angeles Dodgers' managerial debut on Monday against the archrival San Francisco Giants.

The Brooklyn, New York native guided the Yankees to 12 straight playoff appearances but after a third straight first-round exit, he rejected the team's contract offer.

Now, Torre is managing the team he grew up rooting against. It marks the first time he will guiding a National League team since he was fired as St. Louis Cardinals manager in 1995.

Brad Penny, who is coming off back-to-back 16-win seasons, makes his first Opening Day start for the Dodgers.

Aside from Torre, who replaces Grady Little, the Dodgers' biggest offseason move was the acquisition of perennial Gold Glove center fielder Andruw Jones, who hopes a change of scenery can revive his career.

In his final season with the Atlanta Braves last year, Jones batted just .222 with 26 homers and 94 RBI.

San Francisco begins life without home run king Barry Bonds, who wore a Giants' uniform for the past 15 years. Facing perjury charges for allegedly lying about his steroid use, Bonds is currently without a job.

While the Giants are expected to struggle this year, they won't have to deal with the distractions that Bonds creates.

Barry Zito, the Giants' major acquisition last offseason, gets Monday's start. Zito went 11-13 with a 4.53 ERA during his first season in San Francisco.