High-Five for Hollandsworth

In what has become a tradition as rich as opening day, Dodger dogs and Vin Scully, the Dodgers once again staked claim to their annual postseason award.

This time, outfielder Todd Hollandsworth was named the National League’s rookie of the year, the fifth consecutive Dodger to win the honor.

“If there’s one particular award that exemplifies what the Dodgers are all about,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, “it’s the rookie-of-the-year award. Todd exemplifies all of the things we look for in a young player. This is a reflection of history.”

Hollandsworth, who batted .291 and led all NL rookies in hits, doubles, home runs, runs batted in and stolen bases, easily outdistanced shortstop Edgar Renteria of the Florida Marlins to win the award in voting conducted by the Baseball Writers Assn. of America. He received 15 first-place votes and a total of 105 points. Renteria was second with 10 first-place votes and 84 points. Pittsburgh Pirate catcher Jason Kendall received one first-place vote and 30 points.

The Dodgers have won the award a record 16 times, including nine times since 1979. No other team in baseball has won the award more than eight times.

And no household in San Ramon, Calif., was more popular Wednesday than the Hollandsworths’, with friends, neighbors and family members stopping by and telephoning with congratulations.

“I’ve been leaving messages on everybody’s voice-mail all day,” said Susan Hollandsworth, Todd’s mother. “Believe me, we’re enjoying this.”

Hollandsworth, 23, refused to campaign for the award, much less talk openly about the possibility during the season. He cared only about winning, and soon, earned everyone’s respect in the clubhouse.

“There was a lot of nervous energy waiting,” Hollandsworth said, “but this is a dream come true. There’s a lot of pressure being a rookie in this organization. The standards have been set. The media wants to know who’s going to be in the running for the next rookie of the year. You don’t want to ruin the streak.”

Dodger first baseman Eric Karros, who started the streak by winning the 1992 award, said that Hollandsworth perhaps deserves the most praise of the quintet simply because of his role. He was the Dodgers’ starting left fielder most of the season, moved to center field on occasion and inherited the leadoff role in August.

“When you think about all of the pressure,” Karros said, “he’s done more than any of us [previous rookie-of-the-year winners] have done. Nothing was expected of us. We were just happy to be playing.

“I played on a team that lost 99 games. Mike [Piazza] wasn’t fighting for a job on a .500 ballclub. [Raul] Mondesi had a shortened season. [Hideo] Nomo already had six or seven years of professional experience.

“He was put in a spot where we desperately needed for him to do a good job.”

Hollandsworth, who made $137,000 last season, figures to be rewarded handsomely for his efforts. The last four rookie-of-the-year winners all received multiyear contracts before becoming eligible for arbitration, with Nomo getting a three-year, $4.3-million deal. Hollandsworth will be eligible after the 1997 season.

“The ball’s really in the Dodgers’ court,” said Tracy Codd, Hollandsworth’s agent, “but there certainly is strong precedence for [a multiyear contract.]”

Hollandsworth could find himself moved to center field for the 1997 season if Billy Ashley wins the starting left-field job. It doesn’t matter to Hollandsworth. He simply wants to play.

“The first time I saw him in the winter instructional league,” Dodger scout Mel Didier said, “I told Fred [Claire] this guy has got a chance to be a good one. He reminds me of Enos Slaughter. He’s one of those down-in-the-dirt guys.

“He’s obsessed with winning, and whatever it takes, he’ll do.

“He’s made this entire organization very proud.”

Dodger Notes

The Dodgers signed pitcher Mark Guthrie to a two-year, $3.2-million contract Wednesday. If Guthrie returns to his role as a set-up man, he will become the highest-paid reliever in Dodger history for a non-closer. Guthrie will be paid $1.6 million each season. Said Guthrie, who was 2-3 with a 2.22 earned-run average: “I think a lot of general managers saw in the World Series how important it is to have a good bullpen to win a championship. You can’t just have a closer.” . . . Center fielder Brett Butler said that he will file for free agency before the Nov. 14 deadline to keep his options open. The Dodgers then would be required to offer arbitration rights by Dec. 8, extending their right to make a deal until Jan. 8.

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Dodger Rookies of the Year *--*

Year Player Numbers 1947 Jackie Robinson .297, 12 HR, 29 SB 1949 Don Newcombe 17-8, 3.17 ERA 1952 Joe Black 15-4, 2.15 ERA 1953 Jim Gilliam .278, 125 runs, 17 3Bs 1960 Frank Howard .268, 23 HR 1965 Jim Lefebvre .250. 12 HR, 69 RBI 1969 Ted Sizemore .271, 20 2Bs 1979 Rick Sutcliffe 17-10, 3.46 ERA 1980 Steve Howe 17 saves, 2.66 ERA 1981 Fernando Valenzuela 13-7, 2.48 ERA, 8 shutouts 1982 Steve Sax .282, 49 SB 1992 Eric Karros .257, 20 HR, 88 RBI 1993 Mike Piazza .318, 35 HR, 112 RBI 1994 Raul Mondesi .306, 16 HR 1995 Hideo Nomo 13-6, 2.54 ERA 1996 Todd Hollandsworth .291, 12 HR, 59 RBI

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