Team Gives Russell Vote of Confidence

This is still Manager Tom Lasorda’s team, the Dodger players say, nothing is going to change that.

Yet, after learning Monday that Lasorda’s return could be a matter of weeks instead of days, the players said they will regard interim manager Bill Russell as if he had a 10-year contract.

“We all know this is Tommy’s team,” Dodger second baseman Delino DeShields said, “but we all know who the boss is. I think [Russell] is doing a good job. He’s got the respect from all of us, that’s for sure.”

Russell, 47, has all of the qualifications. He played in the major leagues for 18 years. He managed two years at triple-A Albuquerque, and one year in the Arizona Fall League. He has been Lasorda’s coach for 7 1/2 years, and is Lasorda’s choice to eventually succeed him.

“I’m just going in here like it’s my team,” Russell said. “Tommy never told me to play certain guys, or do this or that, he’s left everything to me and the coaches.”

Said Dodger first baseman Eric Karros: “Billy’s the manager until Tommy gets back, and we respect [him]. . . . I think he’s done an excellent job.”

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Padre first base coach Davey Lopes, who played alongside Russell as the Dodgers’ second baseman, said he has no doubts Lasorda will return.

“He’ll be back after the All-Star break,” Lopes said. “If his heart is pumping better than before, there’s no reason to keep him from managing. It would be a shame for it to end this way.” . . . Infielder Mike Busch will begin an injury rehabilitation assignment at Albuquerque today.