Lefty Hollandsworth Is Left Out Again

With Brett Butler out, Dodger Manager Bill Russell planned to use a platoon of Wayne Kirby and Chad Curtis in center field the rest of the season, with rookie Todd Hollandsworth returning to the leadoff position. Yet, with left-hander John Smiley starting for the Reds on Wednesday, Hollandsworth was left on the bench. He came into the game for defensive purposes in the sixth inning.

It was the first time since Aug. 30 that Billy Ashley started ahead of Hollandsworth. Yet, with another left-hander scheduled tonight--Donovan Osborne of St. Louis--Russell is expected to start Hollandsworth for the first time against a lefty.

“This is the first time I really thought about putting Holly in there,” Russell said.

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Dodger reliever Scott Radinsky, who came back from Hodgkin’s disease a year ago, perhaps can relate to Butler’s frustration more than anyone in the Dodger clubhouse.

“It stinks,” said Radinsky, who sat out the entire 1994 season. “It’s got to be so tough on him. For him to spend all that time coming back, and for it to end like this, is tough to swallow.”

“The person that tries to figure out life,” said Vin Scully, Dodger Hall of Fame broadcaster, “is just wasting his time.”

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Russell, on Butler’s chances of returning this year: “I would say at this point it’s asking a lot of him to put him right back in the lineup because it’s probably going to be in the playoffs or possibly in the World Series. I’m not saying it’s not impossible. But I am saying it’s highly unlikely.”

Said Dr. Frank Jobe: “It’s possible he would be back, but I wouldn’t want to be planning on him coming back. But you can never tell about Brett Butler. He’s liable to do anything.”