Thompson Seeking That Winning Feeling

Milt Thompson vividly remembers the baseball clearing the left-field fence, Joe Carter bouncing around the bases, and the SkyDome crowd going absolutely berserk.

Thompson sat on the bench, his body unable to move for maybe 10 minutes, watching the Toronto Blue Jays’ 1993 World Series celebration.

“It kind of depresses you watching the celebration,” said Thompson, who was the Philadelphia Phillies’ left fielder, “but it’s like you can’t move. You have to see what it’s like, the electricity, the atmosphere of winning.”

That’s why Thompson came back for one final season with the Dodgers, even if only as a pinch-hitter.

“This is the best way to end my career,” said Thompson, 37, who played against his former teammates in the Dodgers’ 10-4 loss Saturday to the Houston Astros. “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be with the Dodgers.

“When you look at this team on paper, really, there’s no reason in the world we shouldn’t be in the World Series. We have it all.”

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Outfielder Rick Parker was cleared to resume playing again today after undergoing a CT scan and a series of tests Saturday. He suffered a slight concussion after being hit in the head by a pitch Thursday night. “They just told me to get back into it slowly,” Parker said. “At least I can walk a straight line again.” . . . The Dodgers have told several teams that they won’t part with Mike Busch in a trade because of the uncertainty of first baseman Eric Karros’ strained hamstring. . . . The Angels, who expressed interest in Busch, also informed the Dodgers that they are interested in acquiring a left-handed reliever, either Billy Brewer, John Cummings or Mark Guthrie. Brewer likely will be made available. . . . The Dodgers have decided that they want to keep Tom Prince as their backup catcher, making Carlos Hernandez available in a trade. The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets are among several teams interested in Hernandez.