DODGERS : Hamilton’s Business: Holding Job at Third

Jeff Hamilton wants to make sure everyone knows he has the heart to go the extra inning.

“Basically, I don’t want to give them any excuses for doing or saying anything about me,” Hamilton said earlier this week of his Dodger bosses. “Unless I really hurt myself, I’m not coming out of games. I can go 0 for 50 and I’m not coming out of games.”

Hamilton, who played all 10 innings in Monday’s 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, had a double and a home run, but he didn’t need to prove anything. He has already earned the starting third base job. He needs only to show that he has recovered from his shoulder problems last summer.

What he wants to earn is the right to be left alone. He wants to be respected for what he is.

“I am not outgoing on the field, I don’t show a lot of emotion,” Hamilton said. “Where I’m from, you go about your business and mind your own business. That’s just the way I am.

“It doesn’t mean I don’t play hard, because I do. Look at my record when I’m healthy, I play every game (151 games in 1989). That’s why I just want to get on the field and stay on the field and let my actions speak for me.”

Since last spring, Hamilton has sensed the clubhouse vibes. He knows other Dodgers think he can do better than his 12 homers and 56 RBIs in 1989. He knows they think he could try harder.

Hamilton knows that Fred Claire, Dodger vice president, spent the winter defending him. He badly wants to reward that support.

But after seven games last season, his right shoulder was so painful he could barely open a car door. The years of being one of the hardest throwing third basemen in the professional baseball had caught up with him.

Then he underwent surgery on May 4, but the pain did not go away.

Later, he went against Dodger tradition by refusing doctors’ suggestions for a second surgery. A second opinion from his doctor in Detroit suggested that he simply rehabilitate the shoulder.

While he spent the season in the clubhouse lifting weights and battling impatience, Lenny Harris and Mike Sharperson were winning fans with their hustle at third base.

“It was so difficult, because I wanted to be out there so bad,” Hamilton said. “I wanted so much to get better, and there was nothing I could do. It was a long year.”

He worked hard at his Flint, Mich., home during the winter and showed up this spring in what appeared to be the best shape of his life.

Once he proved he was injury-free, he was handed the third base job because he is considered to have more range in the field and more consistency against all types of pitching than Harris or Sharperson.

Now, he has to hold that job. He is 27, entering his fifth big league season with a .235 career average, and the Dodgers are nearly out of patience.

“Yeah, this is sort of like a last chance,” he said. “I really feel I have to improve on 1989.”

The spotlight on him will intensify on the many days the Dodgers face left-handers. He will bat seventh against right-handers, but will replace Mike Scioscia as the No. 6 hitter against left-handers.

“I imagine that even with those hitters in front of me, somebody will still be left on base for me,” Hamilton said. “That is the way I like it. When I’m feeling good, which I am now, I think I can drive the ball and get those guys in.”

Bill Russell, the Dodger coach who works with the infielders, agreed that this year could be special to Hamilton.

“This year is very important to Hamilton, just for himself,” Russell said. “He has to stay healthy. We want to be able to put him in there consistently.”

Many players enter the year with their sights set on accolades and awards, but Hamilton longs only for acceptance.

“Things might be different now if, in the beginning of my career here, they accepted me for what I am and I accepted them for what they are,” Hamilton said. “Maybe if that had happened sooner, I could have shown better results sooner. Maybe this year, we have a little more give and take.”

He smiled. “Who knows, maybe I will show a little more emotion out there this year,” he said, pausing. “Of course, when I batted .360 (for triple-A Albuquerque in 1987), it didn’t matter what I was like.”

Dodger Notes

The Dodgers’ victory over Cincinnati Monday came on Class-A catcher Ed Lund’s run-scoring single in the 10th inning. . . . Unlike most spring outings, both teams took a more serious approach. Cincinnati Manager Lou Piniella brought in relievers in the middle of innings and jockeyed his lineup throughout. Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda leaped from the bench and charged to the field with his arms pumping when Lund’s single scored Mike Sharperson for the victory. The teams split their two-game series. . . . Piniella brought in Rob Dibble with the bases loaded and none out in the eighth inning. Dibble struck out Barry Lyons, gave up a run-scoring grounder to Lenny Harris that tied the score, and struck out Jose Gonzalez. “Rob was just getting in his work,” Piniella said with a smile, but added, “And you know, we have another one in the bullpen just like him.” He was speaking of Randy Myers.

There were also signs of bad feelings between the teams. Darryl Strawberry was brushed with a pitch from Norm Charlton in the first inning, then Tim Belcher hit Eric Davis in the side with a fastball in the second inning. . . . With camp running so smoothly, Lasorda did not play his annual April Fool’s joke on a player this year.