Philadelphia Phillies' Greg Luzinski, right, is greeted by teammates Jose Cardenal, left, and Larry Bowa after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a baseball playoff game in Los Angeles. At rear is Dodgers catcher Steve Yeager. The Dodgers and the Phillies met in the NL Championship Series in 1977, 1978 and 1983. They meet again in the NLCS this year. " align="left" border="0">

Back in the era of cookie-cutter stadiums, polyester pullovers and artificial turf, baseball had another familiar sight: Phillies vs. Dodgers for the NL pennant. "It seemed like every time we turned around, there were the Phillies," former Los Angeles center fielder Rick Monday recalled. They played in the 1977 NL championship series and the next year, too.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Jeff Kent, left, is congratulated by third base coach Larry Bowa after hitting a home run against Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Monday June 2, 2008. " align="left" border="0">

Derek Lowe had to wait more than five weeks between his previous victory and this one, so he didn't care how injury-riddled the Colorado Rockies were. Lowe pitched eight strong innings and got home run support from Jeff Kent, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp in the Dodgers' 8-2 win on Monday night, which sent the defending NL champions to their eighth consecutive loss and 13th straight on the road.

Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million option to return to the New York Yankees, still uncertain whether he wants to pitch next season.

"I have spoken with Brian Cashman, who has reiterated what Hank Steinbrenner said about the Yankees wanting to give Andy all the time he needs to decide about next season,"Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press."Accordingly, we are declining to exercise the option for 2008 and Andy will declare free agency in order to free up a roster spot.

"If Andy decides to play, I am confident we can reach an agreement with the Yankees within 24 hours. The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement."

Maddux still a Padre

Greg Maddux (14-11, 4.14 ERA) will be back as the San Diego Padres'No. 3 starter next season after agreeing to a $10 million, one-year contract. Maddux, who turns 42 on April 14, had a player option for $8.75 million. The new deal contains award bonuses, a no-trade clause and a suite on road trips, a person familiar with the contract said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Padres had not yet announced the agreement.

Torre happy

Joe Torre was front and center for his introduction as Los Angeles'new manager less than three weeks after walking away from the New York Yankees. Scully delivered the opening remarks for an event held in center field to accommodate the overload of media.

"The Dodgers were always special and I certainly expect... will always be special,"Torre said."I get choked up."

Torre said that former Yankee coaches Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa will coach.

Briefly

Pirates:It's official, John Russell is the manger of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Russell was hired to succeed Jim Tracy as Pittsburgh's manager after going 55-88 managing Triple A Ottawa last season."I know the system we have will work,"said Russell, 46, who was fired as the Pirates third-base coach two years ago."Two years ago was two years ago. It's a different time."

Astros:Houston has selected Felix Francisco their director of Latin American scouting.

Red Sox:Curt Schilling and Boston are making progress toward a new contract. While the sides have not yet reached an agreement, it is possible an agreement could be reached soon, said a person familiar with the talks who wanted to remain anonymous.

ANewsdayreport said Joe Torre's talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers are"headed in the right direction and going well,"according to a"informed source,"and that Torre could become the team's manager as soon as today.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the team has talked with Torre and he is the leading candidate. Reports are Torre will sign a three-year deal for morer than $4 million per season.

Don Mattingly, spurned by the Yankees for their manager's job, reportedly will join Torre's staff in Los Angeles, and the staff also could include former Yankees coaches Lee Mazzilli and Larry Bowa.

It would be the fifth managing job for Torre, 67.

"I think Joe, he's proven he's an outstanding manager,"former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda told ESPN."He's a winner. He knows how to handle players. He certainly knows the game. He was an outstanding player in his own right. I think he's going to be a tremendous asset to our ballclub."

Briefly

Yankees:Agent Scott Boras maintained that the Yankees should treat A-Rod the same way they deal with reliever Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada, who also are free agents, and that they could still negotiate with him.

Padres:Gold Glove center fielder Mike Cameron was suspended for the first 25 games of next season after testing positive a second time for a banned stimulant. Cameron, who plans to file for free agency, said he believes he took a tainted supplement.

Reds:Outfielder Adam Dunn (.264, 40 homers, 106 RBI last season) became Cincinnati's highest-paid player when the team picked up his contract option for $13 million next season. The Reds also picked up the $1.85 million option for first baseman Scott Hatteberg and a $1.35 million option for catcher/pinch-hitter Javier Valentin. They declined a 2008 option for reliever Eddie Guardado, who had reconstructive elbow surgery.

Cardinals:John Mozeliak was given a three-year contract as St. Louis'new general manager, promoting him to replace the fired Walt Jocketty. Mozeliak, 38, was the assistant GM for the last five years.

Red Sox:Free-agent pitcher Curt Schilling says his first choice remains Boston, but said on his blog that he would consider a dozen other teams for a"last year"based on quality of life and a chance to make it back to the playoffs. He previously said he would only rule out the rival Yankees.

Rockies:Colorado picked up pitcher Aaron Cook's $4.5 million option, declined its $3.75 million option on reliever LaTroy Hawkins and announced it will bring back manager Clint Hurdle's entire coaching staff next season.

Pirates:Pittsburgh plans to talk to White Sox bench coach Joey Cora about its manager's job, which has been open for nearly a month. Another candidate could be Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell.

Mets:Outfielder Moises Alou will return to the team after his option for $7.5 million next season was picked up and free-agent infielder Damion Easley was re-signed for $950,000.

White Sox:Options were declined on Infielder/outfielder Darin Erstad ($3.5 million) and left-hander Mike Myers ($1.1 million).

New York Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera hugs coach Larry Bowa as Hideki Matsui, right, waits his turn after the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians, 5-3, in a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007, in Cleveland. " align="left" border="0">

Talk about your pushy New Yorkers. Strutting into Jacobs Field for the weekend, the Yankees made themselves right at home. They bullied the Cleveland Indians before leaving with three wins and the same confidence that has made them champions many times before. "I feel like we're the team," Andy Pettitte said.

New York Yankees' Jorge Posada, right, gets a hand shake from third base coach Larry Bowa after hitting an eighth-inning home run off Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Casey Fossum during a baseball game Friday night July 13, 2007 in St. Petersburg, Fla. " align="left" border="0">

Roger Clemens was outpitched, and the New York Yankees fell below .500 again. Still, manager Joe Torre was convinced Friday night that the team is headed in the right direction in its bid to climb back into playoff contention. "I learned through my years of doing this that even though everything is judged on winning and losing, it's the tenacity of the team," Torre said after Scott Kazmir shut down...

Cleveland Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona follows through in the Indians' 8-6 loss to the New York Yankees in their baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Thursday, April 19, 2007. " align="left" border="0">

Alex Rodriguez kind of chuckled, and declared the best thing about his game-winning homer Thursday was trying to hit Yankees coach Larry Bowa in the head as he rounded third. Yes, Rodriguez is one happy superstar right now, and the Yankees are winning because of it. Rodriguez hit a three-run homer that capped a comeback from a four-run deficit with two outs in the ninth inning, giving the New York...