Hershiser Has a Precedent in His Bid for a Hefty Raise

The highest-paid second-year player in baseball history remains Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who was given a $350,000 contract in 1982 only after bitter negotiations that included a celebrated holdout.

Another second-year Dodger pitcher looking for a healthy raise after a splendid rookie season is Orel Hershiser, but he’s not a holdout. Hershiser reported to camp on schedule with the other Dodger pitchers.

According to Dodger Vice President Al Campanis, however, Hershiser’s agent has been “influenced” by the contract given Valenzuela in what he’s seeking for Hershiser. Valenzuela, whose asking price was a reported $850,000, never did sign that year; his contract was automatically renewed, though the Dodgers gave him a raise on the $42,500 he made in 1981.

“We’re on different plateaus at this time,” Campanis said Saturday. “We’re apart. Some drastic movement will have to happen.”

Hershiser is one of two Dodgers who remain unsigned. The other is shortstop Dave Anderson, who isn’t due to report until Thursday. Both Hershiser and Anderson are represented by Robert Fraley, an Orlando-based attorney. Fraley was unavailable for comment, but it is believed he is seeking at least $200,000 for Hershiser.

Campanis spoke with Fraley Saturday and expects a call again this afternoon.

“He said he had to go to church,” Campanis said. “I told him if he prayed properly he’d come up with the right number.”

If the Dodgers fail to sign Hershiser and Anderson by March 10, their contracts will be automatically renewed. “I don’t anticipate that happening,” Campanis said. “Even though we can renew, we don’t want to be unfair.”

Hershiser had an 11-8 record for the Dodgers last season and finished third in the league with a 2.66 ERA. In Rookie of the Year balloting, Hershiser finished third behind New York’s Dwight Gooden and Philadelphia’s Juan Samuel.

Both of those players, incidentally, signed for a base salary less than that given Valenzuela, who cashed in on that rare phenomena called “Fernandomania.” Gooden signed for a reported $275,000 that is said to include a number of incentive clauses that could raise his pay to $450,000. Samuel signed for an estimated $200,000. Thus it follows that Hershiser, who made $47,500 last season, is looking to move into the same neighborhood.

Dodger Notes Pitcher Tom Niedenfuer tripped over a sprinkler head during a morning workout and turned his ankle, but had it taped and returned later. . . . Eddie Strasser, trainer for the Dodgers’ Triple A team in Albuquerque, was named the Dodgers’ new assistant, replacing Paul Padilla, who resigned after last season.