BASEBALL 1992 PREVIEW : Los Angeles DODGERS

The Dodgers are counting on offense to carry them in 1992. The Pitching Staff Ramon Martinez’ less-than-impressive spring has put a bit of a damper on the enthusiasm surrounding the acquisition of knuckleballer Tom Candiotti and the apparent return to form of Orel Hershiser. Reliever Roger McDowell will be the closer as long as Jay Howell is out. The Skipper Tommy Lasorda, 64, recently received a contract extension through 1993. He’s beginning his 43rd year in the Dodger organization and 16th as manager. The Dodgers are 1276-1100 during his tenure. The Bench Third baseman Dave Hansen will be the No. 1 left-handed pinch hitter and first baseman Todd Benzinger the top right-handed pinch hitter. Stan Javier and Mitch Webster will see action in the outfield. P--Ramon Martinez C--Mike Scioscia 1B--Kal Daniels 2B--Juan Samuel SS--Jose Offerman 3B--Lenny Harris/Mike Sharperson LF--Eric Davis CF--Brett Butler RF--Darryl Strawberry Batting Order/Opening Day 1992 1. Butler: .296* 2. Harris: .287 3. Daniels: .249 4. Strawberry: .265 5. Davis: .235 6. Samuel: .271 7. Scioscia: .264 8. Offerman: .195 9. Martinez: .117 * ’91 batting average Factor of 3 The key questions facing the Dodgers involve the continued comeback of former ace Orel Hershiser, the move of Kal Daniels to first base and the maturation of shortstop Jose Offerman. Orel Hershiser/SP The Cy Young winner in 1988 underwent reconstructive shoulder surgery in 1990 and missed more than a year before returning to post 7-2 record in 21 starts last season. Season Average (Career) Seasons: 9 Era: 2.77 Innings: 177 Hits: 153 Wins: 12 Sos: 122 Jose Offerman/SS The Minor League Player of the Year in 1990 has yet to prove he can hit or field in the majors. He batted .195 in 53 games last year, but will be given the chance to play full-time. Season Average (Career) Seasons: 2 Avg.: .181 Hits: 16 Runs: 9 HRs: 1 RBIs: 5 Kal Daniels/1B Daniels, never a defensive wizard in the outfield, is making the transition to first base. After trying to trade him, the Dodgers now feel he can replace the glove of Eddie Murray. Season Average (Career) Seasons: 6 Era: .289 Hits: 103 Runs: 62 HRs: 16 RBIs: 56 Dodger Mish Mash Each one of Darryl Strawberry’s 28 homers cost the Dodgers $146, 428.57 last season. Team Salaries Going Up. . . ‘89: $17.4 ‘90: $20.7 ‘91: $33.3 ‘92: $42* *Projected Five Fruitful Dodgers

Player 1992 Salary Darryl Strawberry $3.75 million Tom Candiotti $3.5 million Eric Davis $3.1 million Brett Butler $3.0 million Orel Hershiser $3.0 million

Strawberry Closes in On 300

Player HR Yrs D. Winfield/TORONTO 406 18 E. Murray/NY METS 398 15 D. Murphy/PHILADELPHIA 396 16 D. Evans/BALTIMORE 385 20 A. Dawson/CHI CUBS 377 16 C. Fisk/CHI WHITE SOX 372 22 J. Clark/BOSTON 335 17 G. Carter/MONTREAL 319 18 L. Parrish/ANGELS 304 15 B. Brett/KANSAS CITY 291 19 D. Strawberry/DODGERS 280 9

The Future Dodger minor league teams compiled the best record of any system in baseball.

‘91 Level Team Record Pct. AAA Albuquerque 80-58 2nd. AA San Antonio 61-75 3rd. A Bakersfield 85-51 1st. A Vero Beach 79-52 1st. A Yakima 44-32 1st.

The Kid to Watch Pedro Martinez, 20-year-old brother of Ramon, jumped from Class A to Triple A last year and had a combined record of 18-8 with a 2.29 earned-run average. The Fans Dodger fans may have the reputation for bailing out early to avoid the traffic, but they still spin the turnstiles in record numbers on the way in. In millions ‘87: 2.80 ‘88: 2.98 ‘89: 2.95 ‘90: 3.00 ‘91: 3.35 Best: 3, 608,881 (1982) N.L. record The Victories The Dodgers came up just one victory short in 1991. ‘87: 73. Games Behind: 17 ‘88: 94. Games Ahead: +7 (World Champs) ‘89: 77. Games Behind: 14 ‘90: 86. Games Behind: 5 ‘91: 93. Games Behind: 1 Best: 102-60 (1974). Lost to Oakland in World Series.