NEW YORK CITY (AP) -- Dodgers manager Joe Torre says he was pleased when successor Joe Girardi and the New York Yankees won the World Series this month.

Torre managed the Yankees for 12 years, leading them to four titles before leaving after the 2007 season. Girardi replaced him and led New York to its 27th championship this year.

Speaking before his foundation's annual gala on Friday night, Torre said it was "surreal" watching the Yankees face the Phillies in the World Series. But he was happy to see some of his former players earn another title.

Torre and his wife, Ali, created the Safe at Home Foundation to fight domestic violence. He says it means a lot that the same people choose to attend the dinner every year and it continues to be successful.

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