Russell’s Motto for ‘97: Series Baseball

Manager Bill Russell greeted the full squad Thursday, saying that he expects nothing short of a World Series berth.

“It’s time to get to the World Series,” Russell said. “It’s our ultimate goal.”

Pitcher Tom Candiotti said, “Billy set the tone right away. He means business. He told us we can joke, and have fun, but when it’s time for work, that’s it. He read the rules and said, ‘This is my way. This is my team. This is the way things will be done.’ ”

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Russell’s first order of business was gathering the second-base candidates--Wilton Guerrero, Chad Fonville, Juan Castro, Nelson Liriano and Jeff Berblinger--and telling them they are on equal footing.

“He let us know that it’s going to be a battle,” said Castro, who played 70 games for the Dodgers last season. “It’s everyone’s job to win.”

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Third baseman Todd Zeile still has trouble believing he is a Dodger.

“I feel like a 10-year-old in a Pepsi Fan Club,” said Zeile, who signed a three-year, $9.5-million contract. “I have to keep pinching myself. I always wanted to be a Dodger, and when you look at this team, I see no reason why we can’t win.”

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Right fielder Raul Mondesi arrived in style, climbing out of an elegant stretch limousine.

Mondesi weighed in at 234 pounds, about 20 more than his playing weight of a year ago. He said he has no concerns about shedding the excess weight and hopes it will help him in his quest to bat third, pushing Mike Piazza to the cleanup spot and Eric Karros to fifth.