THE WORLD SERIES : OAKLAND ATHLETICS vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS : MIDDLE MAN : Holton’s Relief Work Gives the Dodgers Name to Remember

His Dodger teammates call him “Bub,” a suitably anonymous nickname for just another of those faceless middle relievers.

But Brian Holton no longer can be ignored. Not after outstanding relief performances during the National League championship series and the World Series, which resumes with Game 3 here tonight.

Welcome to some notoriety, Bub.

“I don’t mind not getting the attention, because it’s part of the job,” Holton said. “But it is nice to get noticed for what you do.”

Holton first drew attention in Game 4 of the playoffs, when he got starter John Tudor out of a sixth-inning jam. Then, in Game 5, Holton became a short reliever in lieu of the suspended Jay Howell, and pitched the final 1 innings to earn a save.

Holton’s high-profile success continued into the World Series. He pitched 2 hitless innings of relief in Game 1 of the Series, keeping the Dodgers within striking distance of the Oakland Athletics after Tim Belcher’s shaky start.

Because Tudor rarely throws a complete game, especially since he injured his right hip, Holton figures he probably will be used again tonight, perhaps back in a set-up role for Howell.

He matter-of-factly says he will be ready, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who has watched Holton pitch this season. He made 45 appearances this season, setting up many of the Dodgers’ franchise record 49 saves. And, not that anyone noticed, but Holton’s 1.70 earned-run average was the lowest of any Dodger pitcher.

“He’s been slighted all year in the attention category,” Belcher said of Holton. “He and Tim Crews, they are the middle relievers who make it possible to win games. If we don’t get strong pitching in the middle innings when our starters can’t make it, we lose.

“I think maybe one of the reasons people ignore (Holton) is that he really doesn’t have a good fastball. He’s not overpowering. He’s got a good curveball, but he has to guard against using it too much. Hitters underestimate him, too. (The curveball) looks so hittable, until it gets to the plate.”

Holton said he has been effective partly because he knows his limitations. He will occasionally break 90 m.p.h. on the speed gun but, mostly, he uses his fastball the way most pitchers use their changeup--to set up his bread-and-butter pitch.

“This is definitely the most consistent and best I’ve been in my career,” Holton said. “I know what I have to do, regardless of the hitters. I pitch the way I have to.

“I approach it as if it is a 0-0 game, no matter the situation. They’ve used me in later situations (during the postseason), and maybe last year I would have tried to pitch differently. I think I’ve learned a lot about pitching in the last year.”

The Dodgers’ first-round selection in the 1978 amateur draft, Holton began his professional career as another of those hard-throwing prospects.

He made a steady climb through the minor leagues. By 1982, Holton had a 10-game winning streak for the triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque, N. M., and was promoted to the Dodgers for the final month of the season. But, in 1983, Holton suffered a serious right elbow injury while pitching in Albuquerque.

His career was drastically altered. Dr. Frank Jobe performed the Tommy John surgery on Holton’s torn ligament, grafting a tendon from another part of his body and attaching it to the frayed ligament. Thus began an arduous comeback in which Holton made only token appearances for Albuquerque in 1984. He pitched all of 1985--mostly in Albuquerque but with a short stint with the Dodgers--but struggled to regain the speed on his fastball.

In 1986, he returned to the Dodgers in August and was used as a starter and reliever. When he was moved to the bullpen full time in 1987, he finally flourished. He worked on developing a curveball and control. At 28, Holton had arrived.

“I really think (the surgery) was a blessing in disguise,” Holton said. “Now that I’m here, in the big leagues, I appreciate it a lot more. I can remember those days when I was fighting to get back from the surgery. My career could have been over, just like that.

“But I know I’m a lot better pitcher now. I’m a lot smarter. And I work a lot harder. Before the injury, I was one of those pitchers who just showed up and pitched. You could do that if you have the ability. But now, I’ve got to work at it. I don’t forget the way it was.”

Holton, no doubt, has not forgotten where he has been.

Perhaps more than any Dodger, he has savored the World Series experience. This is a time when even the marginal players are noticed, when routine performances are magnified.

“This, for me, is the best time,” Holton said. “There is so much adrenaline going. You don’t care how tired you are. You get pumped up even when you’re not pitching.”

You also get interviewed, a different experience for Holton, who was surrounded by reporters before Game 2.

This stark contrast is the only difference between the regular season and the playoffs for Holton. His solid pitching has remained intact.

Not that anyone had noticed. Right, Bub?