STARTING ANEW : Murray Is Looking Forward to Batting Between Gibson and Marshall in Dodger Lineup

What Eddie Murray is calling his new beginning continued Thursday as the Dodgers introduced the former Baltimore Orioles first baseman at a media luncheon.

The introduction was handled by Executive Vice President Fred Claire, who described Murray as a winner and an impact player, and said:

“The Dodgers have a chance in 1989 to do what the Dodgers have never done and that is to win the World Series back to back. It’s the right goal, the proper goal, and I look for Eddie Murray to make a major contribution.”

Said Murray: “I hope to put up career numbers. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a fifth hitter behind me who is feared as much as me and that’s going to help.”

Murray is expected to bat fourth, behind Kirk Gibson and ahead of Mike Marshall. He said he is happy to have the opportunity to play in his hometown and wished it had happened 3 years ago, when he first heard the rumors. He said the Dodgers reminded him of how the Orioles used to be, an organization that cares about winning.

“We used to have the saying that it was great to be young and an Oriole,” he said. “It’s not that way anymore and it was hard to see that happen. The faces changed so much that you found yourself peeking at the names on the back of the uniforms to see who it was.

“I had a lot of fun in Baltimore, but the last couple years reached the point where it challenged the good times. Now all of that’s behind me. I’m a Dodger now. It’s a new beginning. It’ll be a challenge, but I’ve never turned my head from one.”

Dodger Notes

On the addition of Eddie Murray and Willie Randolph, Executive Vice President Fred Claire said: “Position by position, we’re much better than we were at this time last year. Our depth is better, too.” . . . In an interview with Joe McDonald on a KFI talk show last week, Steve Sax said he did give the Dodgers a last chance to sign him before accepting the New York Yankees’ 3-year, $4-million offer. Sax said he had called Claire the night before signing with the Yankees, saying he would return to the Dodgers for $3.9 million, but had to know soon. He said he removed that offer the next morning when Claire failed to respond. Said Claire Thursday: “We repeatedly asked Steve to bring back his best offer and we never received a positive response. The fact that we went from $2.3 million to $3.2 million to $3.5 million in our offers shows how much we wanted to sign him.”

First baseman Franklin Stubbs, responding to the acquisition of Murray, recently met with Claire and said he wanted to go somewhere he can play regularly. “I understand and appreciate Franklin’s feelings, but at this point I can’t make any commitment (regarding a trade),” Claire said, adding that outfielder Mike Davis had expressed similar sentiments during the season. “I haven’t talked to Mike since then but I know he wants to play every day and the opportunity doesn’t seem to be there for him,” Claire said. . . . On the rehabilitation effort of Fernando Valenzuela, Claire alluded to Valenzuela’s failure to do any winter conditioning in the past and said: “I think Fernando is more in tune with what he needs to do. He’s seen the benefit of it. The effort Fernando has applied and his work habits have everyone very pleased. Fernando realizes 1989 will be an extremely important season for his career.” Valenzuela is in Mexico for the holidays after working out at Dodger Stadium until Dec. 1. Claire said that physical therapist Pat Screnar may be sent to Mexico to monitor Valenzuela’s adherence to the program.