DODGERS : Strawberry to Skip Spring Games at Met Camp

Darryl Strawberry, dispensing warm handshakes and a nonstop smile, arrived at spring training Tuesday proclaiming that his new-found Christianity has eliminated most worldly pressures.

But just to be safe, the Dodgers have decided not to take him to Port St. Lucie, Fla., for either of their two spring games against his old team, the New York Mets.

“It was my idea,” Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda said. “It would just be best for him not to go down there right now. With everything that will be happening, it will be impossible for him to get his work done.”

Strawberry, who will take the field when full-squad workouts begin today, said he was appreciative.

“I don’t need that stuff right now,” Strawberry said of the circus that would accompany his return to a stadium filled with Met fans. “Tommy and I have talked, and I think we’ll start things slow.

“I’ll be playing two or three innings in spring games at first, and then by the last week, I’ll be going seven or eight innings each game. I know what it takes for me to get ready, and he understands that.”

Strawberry said he also was happy with Lasorda’s preliminary decision to bat him third, in front of Eddie Murray and Kal Daniels.

“That is great, mainly because I’ll have Eddie right there, backing me up,” he said. “If I was batting fifth, well, I’m not so sure who is batting sixth yet.

“With Eddie behind me, I’ll have something I haven’t had the last couple of years.”

During an earlier news conference, Strawberry said he was happy with just about everything else here, beginning with Lasorda.

“All Tommy says is go out and have fun, which is what I want to do,” he said. “Besides, Tommy said he would take me everywhere to eat.”

He also is happy to be out of New York. “The only thing I looked forward to doing in New York was going through a nightmare of hell,” Strawberry said. “That’s what it was. Every day. A nightmare of hell.”

He is even happy wearing No. 44 for the first time in his major league career, even though he had to give up his No. 18 because it belonged to Bill Russell, Dodger coach and former player who has worn that number since 1969.

“Number 44 is a very unique number,” Strawberry said. “A good friend of mine, Eric Davis, wore it. Reggie Jackson, Willie McCovey, Hank Aaron, they all wore it. One day I would like to squeeze myself in that group of names somewhere.”

Strawberry apparently has relayed this happiness to former Met teammate Dwight Gooden, who is in the final year of a contract. Because of bitter negotiations with the Mets, Gooden could become a free agent next winter.

Strawberry said, if had his druthers, he and Gooden would be reunited.

“It’s so difficult and sad that Dwight has to go through that; it was sad that I had to go through that,” Strawberry said. “I talked to him (Monday). I told him to put all of that to the side, then go out and get his insurance policy by having a great year. Then he could become a free agent and see what happens.”

Strawberry smiled and added: “I would like to see him come play for the Dodgers.”

Dodger Notes

The Dodgers’ three veteran catchers have all been hit by pitches from Dodger pitchers this spring. The latest victim was Gary Carter, who was plunked Tuesday by Kevin Gross. “Not a good sign,” one Dodger pitcher said. . . . Orel Hershiser could pitch his second batting practice session today. He threw on the side Monday. . . . Mike Sharperson signed a one-year contract. Other terms were not released.