Spring Training / Dodgers : Guerrero Plays Third . . . at His Request

The sun did not rise in the west, but let the record show that on the morning of Wednesday, March 13, during the Dodgers’ B-team game against the Samsung Lions, Pedro Guerrero voluntarily played third base.

That’s right, volunteered. He had gone to Manager Tom Lasorda Tuesday night and asked if he could play third.

Then he went out the next day and played five innings.

Wednesday afternoon, in the Dodgers’ 9-6 exhibition win over the Montreal Expos, Guerrero played third again, collecting two hits in a game that was won by nine Dodger runs in the first two innings.

There’s more. After the game, Guerrero took 15 minutes’ worth of ground balls from Coach Monty Basgall.

It was almost enough to make them disconnect Al Campanis’ phone in the press box, the one labeled “Chief’s 3B Hotline.”

“Our third baseman is better than any third baseman they have,” said Campanis, when someone asked the Dodger vice president if he’d be interested in Tim Wallach or Hubie Brooks of the Expos. Montreal is switching Brooks to short.

“Our third baseman is a better fielder, better runner and better thrower,” Campanis said. “All I want him to do is want to play (third), and he’s getting there.”

Sort of. Guerrero still would prefer that the Dodgers trade for a third baseman as soon as possible--like yesterday. But as his agent, Tony Attanasio, said here Wednesday: “If he has to play there, he has too much pride to embarrass himself.”

Dodger Notes The Dodger starting rotation, six deep before Alejandro Pena was lost indefinitely, could have another casualty. Rick Honeycutt, who trainer Bill Buhler said overextended himself while pitching batting practice a couple of days ago, was scheduled to make his spring debut Wednesday but was forced to scratch because of persistent soreness. Honeycutt underwent off-season shoulder surgery, and Buhler said the soreness is in the area of the operation. Supposedly, Honeycutt will throw on the side Friday. . . . Dodger first baseman Franklin Stubbs was struck in the right eye by a pitch during the ‘B’ game against the Samsung Lions. Stubbs was taken to the hospital for X-rays, which were negative. The eye was swollen shut, but the only evidence of damage was a bruise. The South Koreans, who have been training here for two weeks, will leave this morning.

The stomach virus that initially struck Orel Hershiser has spread to several other players, scouts and a writer, Randy Youngman of the Orange County Register. R.J. Reynolds, Bob Welch and Jay Johnstone all have missed workouts, and scout Ralph Avila has lost 15 pounds, according to trainer Charlie Strasser. “I asked them to send me some food, so they sent me a bland turkey sandwich and some Jell-O,” Johnstone said. “The heck with that. I came to get me a hot dog.” . . . The Dodgers rocked Expo rookie Joe Hesketh for nine runs on 10 hits in 1 innings, including two long doubles by Greg Brock. Dave Anderson also had two hits and two RBIs. . . . Manager Tom Lasorda, asked how the Dodgers had played five spring games without left fielder Al Oliver having to make one throw, put his finger to his lips and said: “Shhhh.” . . . Best fielding third baseman in camp: Bob Bailor, who put on a show after Wednesday’s game that brought applause from Lasorda, Bill Russell and Coach Joe Ferguson.