BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : ‘Mr. Hershiser’ Aside, Park Adjusts Well

While at lunch Monday with Orel Hershiser and Darren Dreifort in St. Louis, Chan Ho Park was approached by a group of Koreans who wanted his autograph. But Park, who still refers to Hershiser as “Mr. Hershiser,” told the fans it would not be polite to give autographs in front of a veteran player. And then Park introduced Hershiser.

“I am being recognized by many people now, not just Koreans,” Park said through his interpreter, Don Yi. “It happens in Glendale (where Park lives) in L.A. and here.”

Park says he is adjusting well to his new life. Monday night, after the Dodger game against the Cardinals had been postponed because of rain, Park went to see “Major League 2” with Yi, Hershiser and several other Dodgers. Yi interpreted for Park, but said there were many scenes that needed no explanation.

“Chan Ho kept comparing the players in the movie to his teammates,” Yi said. “You know the guy with the leather jacket that gets traded to the White Sox? Well when he walks in the clubhouse with his sunglasses on, Chan Ho said. ‘There’s Roger McDowell.’ ”

Park is learning English, but says because of time restraints, he relies more on his teammates and audiocassettes than the language school he attends in Santa Monica.

“The fact that I can’t understand what people are saying is the most difficult adjustment,” Park said. “But the other players are patient and understand. (On the mound) I understand when Mike Piazza talks to me. Baseball is a professional language and I don’t have difficulty there. Plus, Piazza goes out of his way for me.”

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Cory Snyder, who started the season on the disabled list, is scheduled to arrive in St. Louis today in playing shape. To make room for Snyder, the Dodgers are expected to send Billy Ashley back to triple-A Albuquerque. Snyder probably will platoon in left field with Henry Rodriguez.

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Stan Musial played the national anthem on his harmonica before the game. . . . The Cardinals have had three rainouts already this season, one in San Francisco, one in Cincinnati and Monday’s game here. . . . Mike Perez, who took Lee Smith’s place as the Cardinal closer, is two for two in save opportunities. . . . Rick Sutcliffe, 37, has been pitching in relief but will start tonight for the Cardinals against Ramon Martinez. Sutcliffe’s last National League start was in 1991 with the Chicago Cubs. He was 26-25 in two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles before becoming a free agent after last season.