Bill Conlin: Phillies, Dodgers have a history

* The outfield blunders: Jayson Werth hit 16 homers in just 89 games for the 2004 Dodgers. But he suffered a serious wrist injury in 2005 and didn't play in 2006. The Dodgers let him walk into free agency, where GM Pat Gillick snapped up the first-round draft pick he had signed for the Orioles. Nice move. Werth hit five more homers this season than Dodgers rightfield star Andre Ethier.

Shane Victorino's number should be Rule 5. Flyin' was drafted by the Dodgers, then claimed by the Padres in the 2002 Rule 5 draft. The Padres returned him the following May. The Dodgers failed to protect him in 2004 and the Phillies claimed him in the Rule 5, but offered him back to LA after deciding not to expend a 25-man roster spot. The Dodgers refused to take Shane back, so he won International League Most Valuable Player for the Red Barons. You kind of know the rest.

* The Torres: Joe's first baseman older brother, Frank, batted .310 for the 1962 Phillies. His successful heart transplant before Game 6 of the 1996 World Series became the feel-good story of Joe's amazing run as Yankees manager. During the 1997 All-Star Game in Cleveland, Frank reached out to me with encouragement after I had bypass surgery.

During his early career with the Milwaukee Braves, Joe Torre became friendly with Phillies beat writer Allen Lewis of the Inquirer. One day in Milwaukee, Joe invited Lewis to a postgame party. "I want you to meet a classy gal who's really a knockout," Torre said.

Lewis went to the party and met Betty, but had to write his Sunday story the next day and didn't see Torre again until spring training.

"How'd you do with that good-looking gal I fixed you up with last season?" Joe asked. Lewis was brief in his reply: "I married her."

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