The Torre-ization of the Dodgers surely will take longer than two months. It might not be completed this season. But, as Bowa says, "it's just a matter of getting everyone on board. And right now, we've got a lot of 'em."

Ask the Dodgers' youngsters about Torre, and they at least say all the right things. In some ways, outfielder Matt Kemp says, Torre is not much different than his predecessor, Grady Little. But Kemp quickly adds, "(Torre) expects a lot. Of course he's coming from the Yankees. He's used to winning. He's going to enforce."

First baseman James Loney notes that it is obvious Torre played the game, just from his understanding of what players experience. Yet Loney, too, says that Torre sets high standards.

"He wants us to expect the most out of our abilities, believe we can be the best, don't play like you're not sure," Loney says.

Torre is renowned for his calm, soothing presence, but Kent says he possesses the firm, strong hand of a father who disciplines his children properly. "I've heard him yell," Loney says with a smile, and Sweeney recounts a team meeting that Torre called after a 12-1 loss to the Mets on May 7.

"We had an off day the next day," Sweeney recalls. "Most managers would say, 'Go home and enjoy it.' But we had a meeting after the game. He said, 'This isn't right. If you're going to be where you want to be, you've got to do it (better).

"That's where his timing comes in. It's very easy in the southern California thought process to go, 'Everything is cool. Everything is all right.' That's a process of coming to the field, feeling comfortable, thinking, 'Hey, this is great. This is the big leagues.' That seeps in. He won't put up with it."

The biggest knock on the Dodgers' youngsters is that they've been so highly regarded for so long, they carry themselves with a sense of entitlement. Rookie third baseman Blake DeWitt is a favorite of Torre, the coaches and the front office because he takes just the opposite approach, keeping his mouth shut and focusing on every pitch, both offensively and defensively.

Torre, though, says the other youngsters are coming along, too.

"They've been fine," he says. "It's taken a little while. When you try to inject a little humor, they're not sure with my face when it's supposed to be funny and when it's not. I think they're getting a feel for that now.

"The only thing I want them to understand -- and I've told them this a number of times -- is that what I say to them or what (coaches) say to them may be criticism, but all we're trying to do is help you. That's the whole thing. I want to make sure they take the criticism the right way. 'Everyone is here to try to help you get better, and you need to trust us on that.' But one thing about trust -- you have to earn it. You can't just tell 'em, 'trust us.'"

Yet, the kids would be wise if they did.