THE DODGERS: Wait 'til next year

(Or, 2001 A Space Oddity)

Unnamed highly-regarded sources in Vero Beach report that the well-recognized and widely-loved colors for the venerable Trolley Dodgers are being unceremoniously retired.

Instead, for the new millenium the team is uncovering it's new colors. Presenting: (drum roll! . . . .ta da!)

Dodger Green.

Unfortunately, the new color is not named after the supposed savior of LA, Shawn, who entered the NL one year ago amidst a media parade promising a new look and attitude -- not only for the team which had steadily slumped since their progressive annual improvement was stunted in the mid-90's, but to the entire Southland, which had been thirsty for a new rising superstar to hang their hats and hopes on. One who could be the lefty bookend to the righty Sheffield in left as well as to Kobe in that other sport. Instead, what the fans received was a mediocre debut season in which "the savior" struggled under the weight of his $18-million a year contract and batted under .250 after the all- star break. The team, under "the savior's" lack of leadership, finished 11 games behind the Giants last season and were never a factor in the division or wild-card races.

No, instead, the new team colors are reportedly named after the colors of money and envy.

Money, because that, apparently, is what the team is made of in becoming the highest-salaried team in baseball (or any sport) -- surpassing even the venerable and 4-times-in-5-years-World- Champ Yankees. And envy, because it is what the team will feel towards the better teams in the West by mid-season as they fade out of the Division race.

True, they have arguably the best pitching staff in baseball, and potentially the best since the Braves' heyday a decade ago -- and it better be with the team having invested $210 million in a rotation that they are depending upon to be their foundation. Brownie (league-lowest ERA and batting-against- average) is coming off another stellar season as one of the top pitchers in baseball, and will get still better with a successful staff around him. Parks' (league's 2nd lowest batting-against- average) stock has risen with last year's breakthrough season and promises to raise his status to premier starter. Dreifort's strong second-half last season was rewarded with a 5-year $55- million contract. Additionally "Big Green" went out and purchased Ashby, a decent 2-or-3 starter elsewhere, who could provide an excellent 4th man in LA, and Ramon Martinez, who if he finally heals from the injuries he's suffered the past several years, could be the best 5th man in the history of the game, making the potentially-solid Gagne and an inexcusably inept Perez expendable. An excellent relief staff led by Shaw (gave up only 3 earned runs in 15 consecutive saves after returning from an arm injury last year), Fetters and Adams as set-up men, and 2nd-year man Herges, who went 11-3 last year.

And true, they have a quickly-rising star in Beltre (who will start the season on the injured list) at third and a perennial hitting-stalwart, Sheffield (.325, 43 HRs, 109 RBI, 105 runs, 101 walks last year) in left -- if he makes it through the tempest he has created this spring by threatening to jump ship due to the teams "disrespect" in only paying him in excess of $10-million this year and each of the next 3 years.

And also true, they potentially will have a "new look" and attitude by the hiring of rookie manager Tracy and the return of popular pitching coach Wallace (as assistant GM).

But it's also true the team will take the field with one of the most mediocre combinations of up-the-middle players in the league. Last year's catcher Hundley has gone to his daddy's hunting ground, leaving a mediocre Kreuter and potentially- strong-but-presently-young duo of LaDuca and Pena. At short they project to start a slight-hitting average-armed Cora, a spotty fielder Grudzielanek at second and a tandem of an average Goodwin and an over-the-hill recently-acquired Grissom (who had the lowest on-base average of any lead-off hitter in baseball last year) in center.

In sum, look for "Big Green" to be somewhere near the bottom of the West despite a pitching staff with a combined ERA near the top of the National League, even if they do overcome the bad PR and low morale created by the Sheffield faux pas.