Glory Days: Torre takes in Bruce Springsteen show

These are glory days, indeed, for Joe Torre.

Though his team was facing a 3-1 deficit against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL championship series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager spent Tuesday across the street from Citizens Bank Park at the Spectrum for a Bruce Springsteen concert.

Torre saw The Boss once before at Madison Square Garden, but spent more time watching a basketball game on TV in a luxury box than Springsteen and the E Street Band.

This time, he kept his eye on the show.

“The thing that I found really remarkable is how every single person there feels like he’s one of them,” Torre said Wednesday before Game 5. “He connects with all those people, whether they’re sitting close or way back in the upper deck somewhere. His energy is crazy.”

Torre, still looking to lead the Dodgers to baseball’s promised land, might hope his Dodgers adopt at least one Springsteen lyric: no retreat, no surrender.

Maybe it was a good sign that “Born to Run” blared through the ballpark as the Dodgers took batting practice.

TEX’S DEFENSE: Mark Teixeira’s(notes) defense is nearly as valuable to the New York Yankees as his bat.

The first baseman credits his father for teaching him the finer points as a kid, including fielding lots of grounders.

“My dad always stressed the importance of defense,” Teixeira said Wednesday. “As I’ve gotten into the big leagues, I’ve realized it’s even more important.”

Teixeira’s bat has been quiet against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, in the ALCS, but his defense is being talked about.

“Without Tex, we wouldn’t be here,” pitcher CC Sabathia(notes) said. “Not just because he hit 39 homers, but just his glove. Some of the plays he makes, he saves everybody. I didn’t realize he was as good a player as he is.”

Teixeira has given the Yankees an upgrade at first base in his first season in New York over Jason Giambi(notes), who was more lumbering than nimble at the position.

“He had a play early in the season where he dove to his right, threw from his knees to throw to home plate and save a run and save the game for us,” manager Joe Girardi said of Teixeira. “He’s a complete player. Whether it’s defensive, baserunning, offensive. Thinking, talking about the game, he’s a complete player, and his defense has saved us a number of times this year.”

CHOOOOCH: He’s not a former MVP or an All-Star. And catcher Carlos Ruiz(notes) can easily get lost in the shuffle behind teammates such as Ryan Howard(notes), Chase Utley(notes) and Jimmy Rollins(notes).

But the Phillies are glad they have their “Chooch” to call the game—and deliver at the plate. Ruiz batted .313 against the Dodgers in last year’s NLCS and was 5 for 10 with a homer and four RBIs entering Game 5 on Wednesday night.

He’s earned the respect of Dodgers manager Joe Torre, a former catcher himself who can’t figure out a way to consistently get Ruiz out.

“It may not always be pretty, but he has a plan on what he wants to do, and he has good plate coverage, especially when he gets behind in the count,” Torre said. “Even though he hits eighth, certainly we learned early on it’s not somebody you want to take lightly.”

CALLING ALL RUNNERS: The Angels have rarely played with a lead against the Yankees in the AL championship series, mostly because they aren’t getting many runners on base.

Los Angeles has been outscored 23-9 in the first four games, including two that went extra innings.

“Some of our guys are seeing the ball well, swinging the ball well, with not a lot to show for it,” manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday. “Some of our guys are really a ways away from where they need to be. We have to find it in a hurry, that’s for sure.”

The Angels consistently delivered with runners in scoring position during the regular season, when they won the AL West. But against the Yankees, even when they’ve gotten on base, the Angels aren’t cashing in.

“If you’re not hitting home runs, you better get guys on base and then come through with some hits when they’re on base, and it can change the complexion of the game for us,” Scioscia said. “There’s a lot of good arms down there that are a mix and match to make it a little more difficult to get a read on guys as games progress. And some of our guys are definitely not in their comfort zone.”

MANUEL’S FUN: Three straight NL East titles, two trips to the NL championship series and a World Series have their perks. For Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, every day at the ballpark has been a blast.

With his down-home charm and mangled syntax, the affable Manuel is a hit with his players. He loves the game and it’s rubbed off on the Phillies, who were on the brink of reaching their second straight World Series.

“We’ve got a bunch of guys who love to play baseball, and that’s why they think in a winning way,” Manuel said. “I think we’ve got guys that like to pitch and we’ve got guys that like to play, and the guys that like to play, they stand out on the field.”

Manuel did not announce a Game 6 starter if the Phillies need one.