Playoff chase is nothing new for Torre

Owning a postseason managerial resume unparalleled in baseball history also means this isn't the first tight September stretch for Joe Torre, certainly far from it.

So with the Rockies pulling closer with another run like they had in 2007 en route to the World Series, the Dodgers skipper maintains that famous even-keel approach heading into September, eyes focused ahead on what matters right now.

Dodgers at a glance 2009 record: 95-67 2008 record: 84-78 NL West champs NL best record NLCS matchup: Phillies at Dodgers Postseason tix: Buy now WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Loney: Taking good swings • Kuo: Long road back • Thome: Back in Philly • Loney: Building resume • Bullpen: Led by Broxton • Torre: Rep precedes him • Blake: Chemistry guy • Kershaw: Game 1 nod? • Dodgers: Eyes on prize • Kemp: Path of the pros • Furcal: Back healthy • Kershaw: Like Koufax • Hudson: Keeping head up • Billingsley: Unknown role • Ethier: Slump over • Torre: Tough decisions • Kershaw: Elite comparisons • Kemp: Nearly elite • Kershaw: Path to the pros • Billingsley: Fate in balance • Ethier: Aims to improve • Torre: Back to playoffs • Kershaw: Ready to rock • Rotation: Plenty of options • Kemp: Chasing LA history • Bullpen: Dominant pair • Honeycutt: Pitching guru • Kemp: Tools to match talent • Ethier: Walk-off wonder • Billingsley: Vying for spot • Ethier/Kemp: Dynamic duo • Torre: Another pennant race • Pierre: Receives high praise • Kershaw: Beyond his years More Dodgers coverage • Dodgers, Broxton stung by Phils in ninth Game 4 remains unkind to Broxton Phillies have Dodgers in tight spot Dodgers attempt to shake off heartbreaker With season on line, LA turns to Padilla Dodgers overwhelmed in Game 3 Wolf to put fond memories aside Kuroda makes no excuses for performance Runs hard to come by for Dodgers Beyond Game 4, rotation a question Dodgers ready to weather chill in Philly Kuroda gets ball for Game 3 Temperatures will be a challenge Rally revives Dodgers, evens NLCS Dodgers can't recover from Phils' homers Sherrill's rough inning costly Kershaw unravels quickly in Gm. 1 For starters, Dodgers have options October continues to be Torre's time After sweep, Dodgers reload rotation Sweep deal: Dodgers return to NLCS Dodgers hope party isn't last of 2009 Manny's big game a great sign Sweep leaves LA waiting on Rox, Phils Padilla silences critics with gem Dodgers excited, but keep eye on prize Affable Padilla on top of his game Torre, the person, leads way Dodgers stun Cardinals in ninth From walk to walk-off, Blake set stage Kershaw comes of age in Game 2 start Holliday takes place in long line of 'goats' Padilla grateful for 'second life' in LA Cards focused, but history against them Kemp, bullpen pull through in Game 1 Kershaw ready to grow up on big stage Short turnaround awaits NLDS foes Dodgers, Cardinals break left-on-base mark Middle of defense turns tables fast Billingsley gets call for Game 4 No surprises as Dodgers set roster Call to Wolf is easy decision One win nets Dodgers division, home-field Dodgers end drama, wrap up NL West Dodgers' division lead whittled to one Dodgers leave SD without division title LA drops chance to clinch NL West Ohman undergoes shoulder surgery Bucs keep Dodgers' celebration on ice Dodgers stunned; West party on hold Dodgers clinch postseason berth Playoffs await after win over Bucs Dodgers denied in playoff clinch attempt Wolf rolling as postseason beckons Blake playing it careful with hamstring Dodgers trim playoff magic number to one Billingsley sharp, LA not in loss to Nats Postseason magic number down to two Dodgers beat Giants' ace to stay on track Kershaw says he's ready to go Ethier blossoms into prime-time player Billingsley confident turnaround is coming Kershaw pitching beyond his years Ethier helps Dodgers pad West lead Dodgers shut down by former ace Penny Dodgers leave Giants reeling in NL West Dodgers protect lead with Kuroda's help Bauman: Pitching will carry Dodgers Messy ninth inning costs Dodgers

"We're focused on winning ballgames," Torre said, entering a big three-game series at rival San Francisco.

Winning hasn't come as readily lately as it did the first half of the season, magnifying Colorado's surge somewhat. But the Dodgers remain in first place in the National League West, where they've been since April 19, the second Sunday of the season, now three games ahead of the Rockies.

The man writing out the Dodgers' lineup card every day has been down this road before, and as long as they avoid some serious bumps he'll be heading for more history in October.

The Dodgers' manager is driving his club toward the postseason again, and if they arrive as expected, he will have matched Bobby Cox's record with 14 consecutive years managing in the playoffs. And with the opportunity afforded by three-tiered postseason play, Torre already has far more playoff victories than anyone with 80, well beyond Cox's 66 in second place.

Torre's just part of an experienced group of managers who could be headed for the postseason in 2009. Based on results through Saturday, the eight managers whose teams are in the playoff picture have a combined 51 postseason appearances, far more than in previous years. For example, the 2008 postseason managers had 36 appearances, and the highest total since three-tiered playoffs began in 1995 was 45 in 2005.

With Torre, the Angels' Mike Scioscia, the Cardinals' Tony La Russa and the Tigers' Jim Leyland leading the way, this group of potential postseason managers also owns 17 league titles (six for Torre), 11 World Series titles (four for Torre) and 11 Manager of the Year awards (two for Torre).

Perhaps Torre, at age 69 and with his Broadway-to-Hollywood success, is the chairman of the board among this experienced crew.

As the 2009 season unfolds its final weeks, Torre's acumen at taking the September road to October will be on display once again.

The Dodgers entered the weekend still in a bit of a rut that's kept them playing close to .500 ball since an MLB-best 56-32 mark at the All-Star break. But the Dodgers are one of only three teams, along with the Angels and Brewers, that have yet to lose more than four games in a row this season. They've already surpassed the victory total from a year ago, so the success story is being written already.

Torre entered the weekend looking for his club to get on track.

"I just want to get where we were before and build on that," Torre said. "It's been frustrating. But I don't think we've changed personality or anything."

That's probably because the manager setting the tone hasn't changed his personality. He has had his challenges, to be sure -- starting with Manny Ramirez's late arrival to Spring Training and his subsequent 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. He has juggled Juan Pierre into the outfield mix since Ramirez's return, has worked veterans like Ronnie Belliard into the mix upon their arrival, and has dealt with a rash of injuries to the pitching staff.

In short, just another year on the Torre managerial resume.

Anyone who watched Torre work with and around the circus that is being the manager of the Yankees realizes that Torre's capable of dealing with his new version with the Southern California tan just fine as well.

And it's just as evident that after a first life as a manager with the Mets, Braves and Cardinals, Torre is in his element leading the Dodgers toward October.

"I'm still working at it, nothing ever gets any easier," Torre said. "It's nice to have had the success when I was in New York. But when I went into that job I had taken a team into the postseason one time with the Braves [1982]. So it tempers you. You remember where you're coming from and don't get caught up in where you're going."