Butler Ready to Return Next Week

Brett Butler has replayed the moment over and over in his mind, relishing the moment he walks toward the batter’s box, hears the roar of the Dodger Stadium crowd, and gets a hit.

It has been his dream for the last four months since he underwent cancer surgery and everyone figured his baseball career was over. For the first time Thursday, he is now convinced his dream will become reality.

His intentions are to be in the starting lineup a week from tonight against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Butler already has made plans for his wife and about 15 relatives and close friends to join him in Los Angeles.

“The doubts are over,” Butler said. “I will do it. I will be back.”

Butler’s fears ended Thursday afternoon when he hit in a simulated game against reliever Darren Hall. He faced Hall for 30 pitches, swinging 10 times, and making contact 10 times.

Butler, who could be activated as early as Sunday, said it will take a few extra days to be ready. Even if he is ready by Tuesday or Wednesday, if possible, he would prefer to make his first appearance at Dodger Stadium.

“But they’re [the Dodger coaching staff] going to have to believe I can do it,” he said. “If they don’t, there’s no point for me to go further than this. [Manager] Billy [Russell] has to be comfortable with me. If he’s not, I won’t be there.”

Russell said he is convinced now that Butler will return.

“The only thing I think he needs is at-bats,” Russell said, “and getting his timing down at the plate. It’s too early to say what day he will come back, but when he says he’s ready to play, we’ll believe him.

“I don’t think it ever entered his mind that he couldn’t come back.”

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Dodger players were stunned to learn that left-handed starter Denny Neagle cleared waivers, permitting the Atlanta Braves to acquire him and make them overwhelming favorites to win the pennant.

“They made the move for the big dance,” Delino DeShields said.

Yet, while it is odd that the Dodgers, the Padres and the other contenders allowed Neagle to clear waivers, Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, said he was not going to make a waiver claim simply to block a potential deal.

“I won’t make a claim simply to block a player unless it happens to us,” Claire said. “My philosophy is if you block one of my players, I’ll block two of yours.”

The Dodgers had every player clear waivers.