BASEBALL: DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hansen Doesn’t Change, Starts Hitting

Some players use two gloves in one game, but Dave Hansen has used the same dirty, weathered glove for the last two seasons. Other players discard their batting gloves every two days, but Hansen has the tar-stained gloves he used opening day.

Hansen said his refusal to change anything, including his style of play, is the biggest factor in the return of his hitting rhythm.

After going without an extra base hit in his last 60 at-bats, Hansen broke out of the slump Tuesday with a home run, then added a double Wednesday.

“The worse thing you can do in a bad streak is to shut everything down, and try to change too many things,” Hansen said. “I just keep going up there swinging and thinking that it will get better.”

Hansen said he has benefited from constant encouragement from Manager Tom Lasorda and an impromptu meeting in New York with Dodger Vice President Fred Claire.

“Those guys never had to say anything, but they did, and it has really helped,” Hansen said. “Fred told me not to worry about a thing, that he knew I could do it. And Tommy tells me that every day.”

Hansen’s improvement is coming at a good time. With Juan Samuel due off the disabled list within a couple of weeks, he will need good numbers to keep the hot-hitting platoon of Lenny Harris and Mike Sharperson from returning to third base full time.

Darryl Strawberry was given clearance to begin rehabilitation on his sore back. The possibility of surgery lessened after Dr. Robert Watkins reported “definite improvement,” during an examination. . . . Eric Davis was also examined by doctors in Los Angeles Wednesday and given clearance to join the team in Chicago this weekend to begin therapy with the training staff. . . . Tom Goodwin got his first major league run batted in in his eighth career at-bat in the ninth inning Wednesday. . . . Billy Ashley has four hits in his first 15 at-bats (.266) with one RBI since being promoted to triple-A Albuquerque from double-A San Antonio last weekend when Goodwin was promoted to the Dodgers. Ashley, an outfielder considered the organization’s top power hitting prospect, led the Texas League in home runs and RBIs before his promotion.