BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : 200 Managers Gone, Lasorda Still Here

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda heard the news Friday morning, swallowed hard, and shook his head in disbelief.

St. Louis Cardinal Manager Joe Torre had just been fired, signifying another milestone for Lasorda.

Torre became the 200th manager to be fired since Lasorda’s tenure began with the Dodgers on Sept. 26, 1976, leaving Lasorda grateful that he has worked for patient bosses.

“You feel bad for all of the guys who were fired,” Lasorda said. “Joe’s a good friend and a good guy. I’m sorry to see it.”

Lasorda was asked whether he ever worried about his job security. After all, he is 67 years old, and the Dodgers have strong managerial candidates on the staff in Reggie Smith and Bill Russell.

Considering that he’s on a one-year contract, with no guarantee of returning, particularly if the Dodgers don’t win the division, does Lasorda ever worry about his job security?

“I think you’re always concerned,” Lasorda said. “But I’m a very fortunate man, working for an owner who understands and is patient, and general managers who are understanding.

“I’m very lucky. Very fortunate.”

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The Chicago Cubs, who have watched the Cincinnati Reds soar past them in the National League Central division, let the rest of the league know that they’re unwilling to simply stay pat.

They acquired infielder Todd Zeile from the St. Louis Cardinals for starter Mike Morgan, and minor leaguers Paul Torres and Francisco Morales. Zeile will return to third base for the Cubs and probably will bat fifth in the lineup.

“If you want to have a representative team and stay with the Reds,” Cub Manager Jim Riggleman said, “you can’t have three or four [automatic] outs in the lineup like we’ve been having. I think this is a great trade, one we really needed to make for our lineup.”

Zeile, who became embittered with Cardinal management when he said they reneged last month on a three-year, $12-million contract offer, had decided he would not play for the Cardinals past this season. He filed for a $4.2-million arbitration award, and rejected the Cardinals’ settlement offer of $4 million.

When Cardinal General Manager Jocketty informed Zeile on Wednesday night that he could become a Cub if he settled for a one-year, $3.7 million contract, Zeile jumped at the opportunity.

“I don’t think the [Cardinal] organization has a commitment to the players or a commitment to win,” Zeile said. “I think they just lost some of their focus. Believe me, it’s going to be nice to leave and be in Chicago.”

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Lasorda on the Dodgers going 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position, and obtaining only six hits against starter Steve Trachsel: “I’m not going to give any credit to those guys. Why should I give them any credit? My pitcher held them scoreless for eight innings, but we couldn’t score any runs for him. When your pitcher shuts them out for [eight] innings, you got to win that ballgame.”

Second baseman Delino DeShields on the lack of run support for Tom Candiotti: “It’s tough when you’ve got to play a perfect game just for [Candiotti] to get a shot at a win. He’s just got to hang with us. It can’t get any worse.”

First baseman Eric Karros on Cub backup shortstop Jose Hernandez, who made two run-saving stops in the fourth inning: “The play of the game was when [starting shortstop] Shawon Dunston got hurt. Hernandez was the difference in the game.”