GLOWING, BUT NOT GLOATING.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

He would not bite. Would not give you the quote. Would not say the one thing you just know deep inside Jim Tracy had to be feeling.

It was a hopeless pursuit. Tracy is a proud man, but if he harbors any bitterness toward the Dodgers, he would not offer it up.

He spent five seasons managing L.A. Won 427 games, lost 383. Captured a division title in 2004. Was grateful for his time here. Handled himself with class and dignity, even as he was being pushed out after last season.

He landed quickly in Pittsburgh, and now here he was back at Chavez Ravine, the Pirates' season long devoid of true meaning, and giving his former organization nothing but problems.

Beating them following one of the most euphoric regular-season victories in Dodgers history. Knocking them out of first place. Scrapping and clawing and squeezing every bit of life out of his young Pirates to give the Dodgers stretch-drive aches at a time when they could least afford it.

And he claimed no particular delight in it, no special pleasure.

``As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter who we're playing,'' Tracy said before Tuesday's series opener. ``I want to win. I want to continue our progress we've started in the second half of the season.''

Before Thursday's game, following two victories over the Dodgers, it was more of the same.

Certainly he is being truthful. He does want to win every night out. He always has. He is mild-mannered but highly competitive.

Yet Paul DePodesta, the numbers-driven general manager Tracy did not always find himself in agreement with, was fired in that bizarre offseason maneuver by owner Frank McCourt after Tracy's departure. DePodesta is now with the Padres.

So Tracy will assert no moral victories, claim no revenge, offer no smug responses or special glee at proving to be a late-season pain to his former employer.

Current Dodgers manager Grady Little, himself fired by the Red Sox after a pair of winning seasons in Boston, said he understands completely if Tracy relishes the difficulties he has presented to the Dodgers, would expect it even.

``I think that's human nature,'' Little said. ``Not that he's going to run his baseball team any differently than he does every other day of the week.''

Little even allowed he would certainly take added pleasure should he be in position to beat the Red Sox.

``Yes, I would,'' Little said.

The Dodgers managed to salvage the final game of the three-game series with a 5-2 victory Thursday, but their path to a division title was left more difficult by Tracy's Pirates.

But no matter how many ways you approach him, Tracy remained the good company man. Would display no bitterness nor joy in becoming a stretch-run thorn to the Dodgers.

He simply claims pleasure in watching his young Pirates compete, being able to push the Dodgers or Mets or Padres or anyone else.

His Pirates feature maybe five players you might recognize. They are ridiculously young but growing, inexperienced but proving their worth, beginning to feel they belong.

Pittsburgh began the season going 30-60 and was the worst team in the National League.

A low point came in June, when the Pirates lost 13consecutive games, including being swept on the road in a three-game series by the lowly Kansas City Royals and his former Dodgers.

``I was embarrassed,'' he said. ``We got swept in Kansas City. We got swept in Los Angeles. And we were beaten handily here for three days.''

After falling to 35-66 at one point, the Pirates have gone 30-22. They have a $36 million payroll and kids throughout their locker room, lineup and rotation.

They just swept the Mets. Their loss Thursday snapped a five-game winning streak. They are allowing themselves to feel good about their future.

And they gave the Dodgers everything they could handle. Deprived them of building any momentum after that historic comeback victory over the Padres. Exited Los Angeles having pushed the Dodgers into second.

``We played three great games and it's an absolute, complete recovery from our first three games here,'' he said. ``We were completely manhandled in June.

``We won two and were in great position to win three. We did the very best we could. Now I hope we go to San Diego and play just as well. We're just going to keep going.''

Even after the series was over, he offered no personal satisfaction at taking the series from the Dodgers.

Tracy seemed at peace, his emotions seemed at bay.

``I think it's receded already,'' he said. ``It's much different coming in here a second time. You move on.

``I'm grateful for the opportunity I was given here for five years.''

There would be no rip of the Dodgers, no quote that claimed pleasure at leaving them worse this time than he found them. Tracy the cynic, a hopeless pursuit.

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