Hershiser, 4 Other Dodgers File for Salary Arbitration

Orel Hershiser, whose picture-perfect pitching earned him the World Series MVP award, was one of five Dodgers to file for salary arbitration today, the final day players were allowed to file.

Hershiser, 30, signed a one-year contract for $1.1 million last winter, then compiled a 23-8 record with a 2.26 earned run average. The Cy Young Award winner set a record by finishing the season with 59 consecutive scoreless innings.

After that, the right-hander was honored as the most valuable player in the National League playoffs and World Series as the Dodgers beat the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics.

Hershiser lost in salary arbitration in 1987, earning $800,000 instead of the $1.1 million he sought. He won in 1986, earning $1 million rather than the $600,000 the Dodgers offered.

It has been reported that Hershiser is seeking a contract to cover more than three years. He is eligible to become a free agent after the 1989 season.

Other members of the Dodgers to file for arbitration were reserve infielder Dave Anderson, backup catcher Rick Dempsey, starting pitcher Tim Leary and left-handed reliever Ray Searage.

Three players eligible for arbitration--infielder Mariano Duncan, first baseman-outfielder Franklin Stubbs and left-handed reliever Ricky Horton--signed contracts late last week.

Horton, acquired late last season from the Chicago White Sox, signed a one-year contract for $580,000, a raise of $47,500.