BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS

The Dodgers, having flown back from New York Tuesday and with a game against Montreal on Wednesday night, still managed to squeeze in some first-rate public relations Wednesday noon.

Virtually the entire team showed for the annual Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, and led by Dodger Broadcaster Vin Scully, kept things light despite their poor start.

“I think it hit the lowest edge in Philadelphia,” Scully said. “I went into Tommy Lasorda’s office and there were four brochures from various insane asylums, each trying to convince him to take a time share.”

Later Scully said, “Tommy is here, even though Suicide Anonymous told him to go ahead.”

Lasorda, for his part, was predictably rah-rah Dodger blue, using a horse race metaphor to promote fan patience.

“If you go to the race track, put a bet down on No. 2, and No. 2 is running seventh at the first turn,” he said, “you don’t tear up your ticket right then.”