BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : A New, Improved Park Returns From Albuquerque

He walked up the dugout steps Tuesday afternoon, stepped on the field and was mobbed by a horde of cameramen and reporters.

It may have not been Nomomania proportions, but it is clear that no one has forgotten about Chan Ho Park, the Korean pitcher who is expected to fill a spot in the Dodger rotation in 1996.

“It’s great to see what Nomo’s doing,” said Park, who competed with Nomo for the fifth spot in the rotation last spring.

“I sent him a letter when he got his first win and another one when he got his first shutout. It was great to see.

“He has brought respect to our part of the world.”

Park, 22, who spent the season at triple-A Albuquerque, was his usual effervescent self. He proved that he no longer needs an interpreter. He rented an apartment by himself in Albuquerque. He even bought a car on his own.

“I’m very, very happy,” Park said. “I learned a lot in Albuquerque. I’m very confident now. I think next year I can pitch for the Dodgers. I’m ready.”

Park, 6-7 with a 4.91 earned-run average, will pitch in the Arizona Fall League beginning in October.

Park said he might also pitch in the Dominican winter league in January.

Who knows, Park could soon be joined by one of his classmates, Sungmin Cho, one of the top amateurs in Korea. The Dodgers are interesting in signing Cho, but Cho may opt instead for Japan.

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Catcher Mike Piazza, who bristled at teammates’ criticism of his defensive skills, needs only to point at the statistics for proof that he must be doing something right.

The Dodger pitching staff not only is ranked second in the league with a 3.71 ERA, but the staff began Tuesday’s game one strikeout behind the Houston Astros for the league’s strikeout lead.

The Dodgers last led the league in strikeouts in 1984.

“I’m not going to take any credit for it,” Piazza said, “but I have a lot of pride in it. I take a lot of pride in my catching, and for us to be ranked second in ERA and first in strikeouts is very rewarding.”

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Third baseman Dave Hansen, who has taken over the bulk of duties since Tim Wallach tore his knee tendon, said he’s starting to feel much more relaxed. “Tim’s been helping me out, big-time,” Hansen said. “I’m really feeling comfortable now. Tim has made me feel like I can do it.” . . . The Dodgers activated pinch-hitter/outfielder Mitch Webster (broken right hand) from the disabled list Tuesday. Webster, who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 15, should be ready to play on the Dodgers’ nine-game trip that begins Friday in Pittsburgh. . . . The Dodgers still are hopeful that Wallach will be able to play by Sept. 19 when they play their final 12 games against divisional rivals.