For Russell, Sky Is Now the Limit

Bill Russell took one last glance in the mirror Sunday afternoon, tugged at his tie, and walked out of the Dodger clubhouse, convinced that he had managed his final game of the season.

He still was irritated about the Dodgers’ 3-2 loss to the Houston Astros, courtesy of Orlando Miller’s leadoff homer in the ninth inning, but still was able to joke with reporters. He thanked them for their cooperation, told them it has been a fun five weeks, and hoped his performance had erased any doubts that he one day could be Tom Lasorda’s successor.

Russell did not realize that his managerial tenure has just begun.

At Dodger Stadium today, Lasorda will announce his retirement as manager, leaving Russell to become only the third Dodger manager since 1954.

“I think he’s going to do a great job,” said Dodger All-Star catcher Mike Piazza, whose younger brother is Lasorda’s godson. “I don’t think any of us question his ability to manage. He’s done a tremendous job.

“The most important thing for Tommy is his health. We understand that. He’s going to go out on top, as the reigning [National League] West Division champions.”

The news will be warmly embraced by the Dodger players, and several said Sunday that they have been anticipating the decision.

“I think you can see the difference in this team already,” Dodger outfielder Billy Ashley said. “There’s just a different attitude. It’s calmer. It’s a lot more relaxed. You don’t have all of that yelling and screaming. [Russell] isn’t nearly as boisterous.

“It’s tough playing for Tommy. It’s like you’re playing for two different things. It’s like you’re playing for the Dodgers and you’re playing for Tommy too.

“It’s hard to explain, but it’s just a different atmosphere.”

The Dodgers [55-51] have shown little improvement under Russell, going 14-16, but the players will tell you it is now a better team. San Francisco Giant Manager Dusty Baker said last week the Dodgers aren’t nearly as predictable. Astro Manager Terry Collins said this weekend that the Dodgers are much more aggressive.

“I played for [Russell] in triple-A,” Ashley said, “and to me he’s a different manager now. Much more aggressive. The feeling I got in Albuquerque was that this was just a stopover for him until he got to the major leagues.

“Now, you see a lot more confidence in him. When he makes a move, there’s no discussion. He decides what he wants to do, and does it, no discussion.

“And you don’t see him change like Tommy. If something goes bad, or goes good, you always feel like he’s giving you a vote of confidence without saying it.

“I really think he’ll do a great job.”

Russell, who has been in the organization for 30 years, signing with the Dodgers as a 17-year-old out of Kansas, received Lasorda’s blessing this spring. Lasorda told The Times that he wanted Russell to be his eventual successor, and informed President Peter O’Malley and Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, of his opinion.

“I think Billy’s doing a very good job,” Claire said. “And not to be overlooked is the job done by all of our coaches, which continues to be very much of a team effort.”

Lasorda, who was hospitalized June 24 with a mild heart attack and ulcer, met Friday afternoon with O’Malley and Claire for 90 minutes. He said he wanted to return, and conveyed his wishes in a telephone interview from his home.

O’Malley and Claire met again with Lasorda and on Sunday for 30 minutes, the Dodgers said.

Lasorda is expected to remain in the organization, and Russell will continue as manager for at least the rest of the season.

Russell, who said that he already has lost six pounds since becoming interim manager, has patiently waited for nearly 10 years for this opportunity. He was hired as a coach in 1987 after his final season, managed in Albuquerque in 1992 and 1993, and then returned as bench coach. He frequently joked with Lasorda, telling him it was time to give someone else a crack at the job.

“I’ve enjoyed doing this, I really have,” Russell, 48, said. “We’ve had a lot of fun. I tried to do the best I could.

“I think I was better prepared than I thought. I think I was ready. You never know until you have a chance.

“I never had any doubts, but you wonder how you’ll do under fire, and under pressure.

“There was always a thought behind every decision I made, and why it should have been made.

“I’m not bragging, but I think I’ve done a good job.”

Russell realizes he will make mistakes. He second-guessed himself a week ago when he used rookie Roger Cedeno to pinch-hit for Wayne Kirby, resulting in a strikeout. And there are times he wishes some of his young players were better prepared.

Yet, he is now the boss. He told the players in a team meeting five weeks ago what he expected from them when he replaced Lasorda. Now, there will be no question who’s in charge.

“Regardless of who is manager, we’ve got to play,” Dodger second baseman Delino DeShields said. “That man can only do so many things. He can’t hit for you. He can’t pitch for you. We’ve got to do the job.

“The one thing I’ll say about Billy is that he has my respect. He shoots straight-up with you. You know exactly what he’s thinking.”

The Dodger players say that Russell won their respect within his first week on the job, and now that they know he will remain for the rest of the season, they’re convinced it’s the right move.

“He’s done a good job in keeping this team going,” closer Todd Worrell said. “I don’t feel like there was that big of a bump in the road when we went to Billy. He made the transition smooth for us.

“He’s a confident manager, and I think that has helped make us a confident team.

“What we’ve done win-and-loss wise, isn’t reflective of the job he has done. Believe me.”

Said Dodger starter Ismael Valdes: “It’s Tommy’s team. But now Bill Russell has taken it.”