Believe it: L.A. won't be outfoxed in '98

Sporting News, The, Oct 13, 1997 by Jerry Crasnick

With the possible exception of the Cardinals, no postseason non-qualifier had more cause for disappointment than the Dodgers.

The Dodgers had pitching, four 30-homer men and a legitimate MVP candidate in catcher Mike Piazza. They had the experience of two straight playoff appearances from which to draw. Heck, when they won 39 of 56 games in July and August, you could argue that they even possessed a certain chemistry.

What the Dodgers ultimately lacked, we're now told, was a certain stubble-faced enforcer with a Hell's Angels mentality--a tough guy to grab teammates by the collar and elicit a sense of fear when they failed to advance a runner from second to third with nobody out. Too bad Kirk Gibson is nearly a decade removed from his 1988 Dodger heroics and unable to get around on the fastball at age 40.

It's only natural for a team's management to seek simple solutions to complex problems. The Dodgers sure look great on paper. But when it comes time to winning big games, some critical component is lacking. Consider:

* After winning the N.L. West by a game in 1995, the Dodgers lost three straight to Cincinnati in the division series and were outscored, 22-7, in the process.

* In '96, they dropped three straight games at home to San Diego to end the regular season and lost the West. In the playoffs, the wild-card Dodgers hit .147 and went three-and-out against Atlanta.

* This year they dropped 12 of their last 19 to finish second to San Francisco. Knee-jerk analysis: The Giants were less talented, but played with more heart.

First baseman Eric Karros, who some think will he the first to go even though he has produced more than 30 homers and 100 RBIs in three consecutive seasons, doesn't buy that theory.

"You can't attack the numbers," he says. "So everybody talks about the `chemistry,' or the `passion.' I don't think there's anybody in here who isn't competitive or on the same page. We just didn't win enough ballgames.

"Now everybody wants to jump on the Kirk Gibson thing. Come on. That was a special year. Things went right for them. A lot of teams have those type of guys and don't win. Just to bring in a guy like that ... is that what this club needs? I happen to think that won't make a difference."

But with the Rupert Murdoch ownership regime set to take over, there's a new rumor wherever you turn.

A healthy Kenny Lofton would look great at the top of the Dodgers' order. John Valentin would be a nice fit at shortstop. How about Karros and some kids to Boston in a package deal for Mo Vaughn?

Why not shoot for the moon? Pedro Martinez is dying to be reunited with his brother Ramon. The Dodgers are among a handful of clubs with the financial wherewithal and the talent pool to make the Expos an offer they couldn't refuse.

The salient question is: Does executive vice president Fred Claire think a little tinkering can put the Dodgers over the top? Factor in the expansion draft, the arrival of top prospect Paul Konerko and questions at shortstop and in the outfield, and it will be an interesting winter in L.A.

The arrival of Murdoch only complicates matters. Judging from his previous endeavors, you get the distinct impression he's a man who will not be content with another second-place finish.

Dante at the bag

The Rockies will make every attempt to resign free agent Andres Galarraga, even though he turns 37 in June. They've dispatched top prospect Todd Helton, a first baseman by trade, to the instructional league so he can embrace the subtleties of left field.

All signs point toward franchise favorite Dante Bichette playing elsewhere in 1998. Bichette will try to enhance his marketability--and his versatility--in two ways this winter:

1) Bichette has contacted some U.S. Olympic team coaches about sprinting programs to increase his speed; and 2) he plans to pick up a first baseman's glove and take some grounders. Bichette played some first and third base in the minors in the mid-1980s.

"I don't know if I'm ready to just go DH," he says. "I'm not going to be a Gold Glover at first base. But I think I can play over there.".

Jerry Crasnick covers baseball for the Denver Post. E-mail him at crasnick@sportingnews.com and see his responses at www.sportingnews.com and on our AOL site.