Torre Takes a Trip Downstairs : Baseball: Angel broadcaster accepts managing job with Cardinals.

Joe Torre was hired Wednesday to replace Whitey Herzog as manager of the last-place St. Louis Cardinals, his first managerial job since 1984.

“Surprise, surprise,” Cardinal General Manager Dal Maxvill said at a news conference to announce that Torre signed a two-year contract with an option for a third season. His salary was not disclosed.

“During the selection process, I interviewed a number of very good candidates,” Maxvill said. “But I kept coming back to Joe Torre. We couldn’t find anyone better on earth.”

Torre, 50, will be in the dugout for tonight’s game at Philadelphia. He hasn’t managed since being fired by the Atlanta Braves in 1984, and has been working as a broadcaster for the Angels.

“When you leave the booth after the game you’re never sure if you won or lost,” Torre said. “Nobody calls you at 2 a.m. and you don’t have to read in the papers how dumb you are. But winning is the greatest feeling in the world and losing with a chance to win is the next-best thing.”

Torre said he will retain his coaching staff for the rest of the year and will use the time to evaluate the team, which was 13-11 under interim Manager Red Schoendienst.

Torre was one of seven finalists for the job, but always stood at the front of the pack, Maxvill said.

Torre managed the Braves to the National League West title in 1982, losing to the Cardinals in the playoffs in three games, and also has managed the New York Mets. Plus, he played for the Cardinals for six seasons, winning the NL most valuable player award in 1971 when he hit .363 with 230 hits.

Maxvill was also on that team, and also was on Torre’s staff at Atlanta and New York.

Among the other candidates was Milwaukee Brewer coach Don Baylor. Others in the running were Philadelphia Phillie coach Hal Lanier, Atlanta Brave coach Pat Corrales and Toronto Blue Jay coach Gene Tenace.

Maxvill also interviewed Louisville (triple-A) Manager Gaylen Pitts and Cardinal minor league hitting instructor Mike Jorgensen.