Daniels Promises New Look--in Box Score, Mirror : Newest Dodger Happy to Escape Pressure of Reds

Kal Daniels arrived 20 minutes late Wednesday for a news conference designed to introduce him to the Los Angeles media.

Otherwise, the newest Dodger, a left fielder acquired Tuesday along with utility infielder Lenny Harris in a trade that sent pitcher Tim Leary and utility infielder Mariano Duncan to the Cincinnati Reds, revealed little about himself in a 10-minute meeting with reporters.

Daniels, who has had four knee operations, is excited about the prospect of playing on the natural grass at Dodger Stadium, he said, “because playing on (artificial) turf the last four years has been tough on my body.”

Playing in Cincinnati, where he was the subject of the fans’ scorn because of a perception that he was less than dedicated, also was tough on his psyche, according to comments Daniels made Tuesday in Cincinnati.

Daniels, 25, said he wouldn’t miss anything about Cincinnati.

But, in a more informal meeting with reporters after Wednesday’s news conference, Daniels said that he was not unhappy in Cincinnati.

“I’ve been there four years,” he said.

Now that he’s gone, what will he bring to the Dodgers?

“I expect to bring a little power, a little speed,” said Daniels, who had 44 home runs and 53 stolen bases in two full seasons with the Reds. “I’m not going to say that I’m going to carry this club.

“I’m just going to do what I’m capable (of doing).”

And what is that? Daniels, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in May and was on the disabled list for almost six weeks before being activated June 20, played in only 44 games for the Reds, batting .218 with two home runs, nine runs batted in and six stolen bases.

“I’m confident in my abilities,” Daniels said, attributing his lack of productivity to bad luck and his knee problems.

Of his celebrated moodiness, Daniels said: “I consider myself a normal human being. If you don’t have moods, you got nothing. Everybody’s got mood swings. Mine just got blown out of proportion.”

An unshaven Daniels said that he looked forward to starting over with a new team and new fans, and said that he would soon sport a new look, too.

“I’m planning on growing a little facial hair,” said Daniels, who was prohibited from doing so with the Reds because of a team policy.

Fitting in with the Dodgers, he said, will be easy.

For one thing, he said, he will be out from under the microscope that hovers over Cincinnati Manager Pete Rose and the Reds’ clubhouse.

“It was tough to handle,” Daniels said of the constant questions about Rose and his alleged gambling habits, “because nobody was really interested in the ballclub. It’s a great relief that I won’t have to put up with that.

“The hardest part will be, ‘Where are they going to put me in the lineup?’ ” said Daniels, who was projected as a leadoff hitter but batted sixth in Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs. “We’ve got a lot of power on this team. Somebody’s just got to come in here and be that little spark plug.”

The Dodgers hope that someone will be Kal Daniels.