Hershiser Now a Cut Above Rest : Pitcher Who Once Couldn’t Make a Team Makes Life Miserable for Batters

Orel Hershiser was cut from his high school and college baseball teams.

But spare any pity.

After four straight shutouts, Hershiser is now nearing the head of the major league class in scoreless innings pitched.

The Dodgers right-hander pitched his fourth shutout in a row Monday night, allowing four hits in leading the Dodgers to a 1-0 victory over Houston. That gave him 40 consecutive scoreless innings, 18 innings short of the major league record set in 1968 by former Dodger Don Drysdale.

Hershiser couldn’t make the team in his first tries at high in Cherry Hill, N.J. and at Bowling Green University. He subsequently became an all-star both there and in the National League.

But he’s never pitched as well as this year, even when he was 19-3 in 1985. The win Monday made him 22-8 this season.

“This is like a dream come true for me,” said Hershiser, who credits Manager Tommy Lasorda’s patience with his development.

“Tommy stayed with me when I came up my first year. He instilled confidence in me.”

Hershiser doesn’t believe he can break Drysdale’s record.

“Two more shutouts will be tough,” Hershiser said. “I don’t think it can be done. I haven’t talked to Drysdale about the record. If I throw another shutout, I’ll have lunch with him.”

Drysdale, now a Dodgers broadcaster, says he’s watched Hershiser with admiration, but has avoided the subject of the streak.

“I haven’t talked to him about it, I don’t want to jinx anybody,” Drysdale said. “He’s doing things very well on his own.”

Drysdale pitched six consecutive shutouts en route to his major league record.

“Orel’s just been in complete control of his pitches,” Drysdale said. “He’s in such a groove. He’s worked so hard, you just like to see him do well.”

Drysdale sees some similarities to his streak.

“You just feel in a total groove, it’s really amazing,” he said. “Plus the guys behind you have to make the plays. That’s been happening for Orel.

“And I don’t know what this means but it is a fact that my fourth shutout in the streak was against Houston.”

Hershiser is in a tight race with Cincinnati’s Danny Jackson for the most victories in the National League.

But Dodgers second baseman Steve Sax thinks it’s no contest.

“He’s the best pitcher in the National League, he should win the Cy Young Award,” Sax said of Hershiser. “He takes command early in a game, throws strikes and controls the game.

“He’s a mean competitor and has been all year.”

Utility man Mickey Hatcher says Hershiser has been a stabilizing influence on the 1988 pitching staff that has been hit with injuries.

“When Fernando (Valenzuela) went down, he took over,” Hatcher said. “When the other pitchers struggled throughout the year, he was there to pick us up. Twenty-two wins means a lot to this team.”

Hershiser’s next start will be against the San Francisco Giants.

“One more will put me close to Don,” Hershiser said. “San Francisco has been tough on me. I owe them something.”