Deal Is a Blessing in Devereaux’s Eyes : Baseball: Outfielder, whom Dodgers traded to Baltimore, is closing in on 100 RBIs while Orioles stay in AL East race.

It was spring training, 1989. Most people thought it appropriate to extend their sympathy to Mike Devereaux.

He had just been traded from the Dodgers to the Orioles.

The previous fall, the Dodgers had won the World Series. Baltimore had finished 34 1/2 games out after starting the season with 21 consecutive losses.

“After ‘88, people were saying, ‘You went from best to worst,’ ” said Devereaux, who was traded March 11, 1989, for Mike Morgan, straight-up. “I was saying, ‘It’s spring training. Everyone’s in first place right now.’ ”

He didn’t say, ‘Just wait. We’ll see.’ Maybe he should have.

Devereaux is at Anaheim Stadium this weekend with the Orioles, who are a half-game behind Toronto in the American League East.

Just a young player in a crowd of Dodger outfielders in 1988, he is closing in on 100 runs batted in this season, and his name is cropping up as a likely candidate for some MVP votes.

The Dodgers, few people need reminding, are dead last, and can only imagine having an outfielder with Devereaux’s numbers: a .282 average, 22 home runs, 10 triples and 94 RBIs.

Come to think of it, Devereaux has more RBIs than Dodger outfielders Eric Davis, Brett Butler and Darryl Strawberry combined . The three have a total of 93.

Devereaux, 29, doesn’t complain about the 1989 trade--”With the personnel the Dodgers had, the veterans were going to be in the lineup and there was no room for me to get in,” he said. “It was definitely a blessing for me, getting traded.”

Nor does he take particular pleasure in the Dodgers’ difficulties--”No way I’m happy about that,” he said, thinking of his friends among the organization’s players and management.

The here and now for him--aside from his numbers, aside from increasing recognition--is a pennant race.

“That’s something a lot of big-name players haven’t gotten to experience,” he said.

Devereaux, who at six feet and 195 pounds has a compact but well-muscled build, didn’t show a ton of power in his first season with the Orioles, hitting eight home runs and driving in 46. In 1990, he hit 12 home runs, and then 19 last year before this season’s career-high 22.

“I look at Mike’s numbers, and he’s started to hit for power the last couple of years,” said Greg Biagini, the Orioles’ hitting coach.

Devereaux’s excellent bat speed is one reason. His 36-ounce bat is another.

“Pick it up; it’s one heavy bat,” Biagini said. “And he’s strong enough to wield that bat all season.”

As for the RBIs, they come a whole lot easier because of the year Brady Anderson is having in the leadoff spot. Last season, the Orioles asked Devereaux to bat first because they couldn’t seem to find anyone else. Now, with Anderson at the top of the order, and bottom of the order performing well, Devereaux has thrived while hitting second and third.

Anderson and Devereaux have been a one-two punch in the outfield too. Earlier this season, there was a stretch when they seemed to take turns stealing home runs with over-the-fence catches.

“We practice it,” Devereaux said. “I don’t know if our pitchers like that, though.”

At the plate, Biagini sees Devereaux’s success as a product of his consistency.

Devereaux’s swing is fairly simple, without a lot of wasted movement. That helps. And he has used the entire field all season, rather than focus on trying to pull the ball or go the other way. That has helped, too. Mostly, though, he has simply produced.

“When people have been on base, he’s been consistent about driving the runner in,” Biagini said.

A case in point: With the bases loaded this season, Devereaux has hit .550 (11 for 20) with two grand slams, three doubles, four sacrifice flies and 32 RBIs.

He has been near his best when it’s been needed most.

Nearly a third of his RBIs--31 of them--have come since Aug. 1, as the Orioles have tried to narrow Toronto’s lead. The only player in the majors with more RBIs in that stretch is Toronto’s Dave Winfield, who has 33.

Devereaux is having a season that exceeds even his own projections.

“Coming into this season, I was hoping I’d drive in 75, maybe 85 runs,” he said. His previous best was 59 last season.

Where this year’s totals will ultimately fit among his career statistics remains to be seen.

“I think Mike maybe is starting to realize his potential and the numbers he’s capable of,” Biagini said. “I see no reason why he can’t have another year like this next year and the year after.”