Why Pay for Raines If Fans Come Anyway?

The reason the Dodgers have not signed Tim Raines is painfully obvious: Al Campanis knows that whether or not the Dodgers win, 3 million people will cross their turnstiles. And make no mistake about it, that is the most important stat in any season in the minds of Dodger management. As long as they finish first in that category, why should they try to build a winner with a pricey free agent?

Only when the attendance figures decline badly will the Dodgers adjust their way of thinking. Another season of inept play will do the trick.

WAYNE RADCLIFFE

Los Angeles