BASEBALL : Dodgers Strike a Pose in Photo

They come from places like Lundstahl, Germany; Coeur d’Alene, Ida., and Kodiak, Ark.

Many have been told they’ll never make the major leagues. Some already have had their shots. A precious few are considered legitimate major league prospects.

These 35 players, each agreeing to defy the players’ union by playing in spring training games, gathered together Monday morning under cloudy skies, sat upright in the portable metal bleachers, and smiled for the cameras.

Say hello to your 1995 Los Angeles Dodgers.

Team pictures soon will be available.

“I think once we took that team picture, everything kind of hit us,” pitcher Petie Roach said. “Here we are, sitting in a big league clubhouse, wearing a big league uniform, and now we’re sitting there for the official team photograph.

“It’s like, hey, we really are the Dodgers!”

The Dodgers open the season in three weeks against the Florida Marlins and, barring a sudden settlement, these will be the players representing the proud Dodger tradition.

You have Jay Kirkpatrick, Edwin Alicea, Keith Johnson and Mike Busch in the infield. Tito Landrum, Chris Latham and James Martin are in the outfield. Chris Butterfield will catch.

“When I first saw Tommy (Lasorda), I was just in awe,” said infielder Antonio Meilan, whom scouts consider the finest prospect in camp. “Now, I feel like I belong. We all do. I’m going to order 100 pictures for my family.”

Said pitcher Rafael Montalvo, “Hey, I’m going to get as many pictures as I can. You never know, they may be collectors’ items. They may go into the Hall of Fame some day.”

Dodger management, trying to ensure that the replacement team is treated no differently from the regulars, even invited all of the players to the annual team dinner Monday. It triggered a rush to the local department store, some players having brought nothing more fashionable to camp than a pair of khakis and sneakers.

“I’ve been waiting 16 years for this moment, and now, it’s almost here,” said relief pitcher Miguel Alicea, who has spent parts of 10 seasons pitching in Mexico. “This is a day I’ll always remember. My first picture in a Dodger uniform.”

“I’ve got a feeling this will be one of those good, clean pictures. Down in the minors, we always got those fuzzy ones.”