Lasorda Says He Is Retired for Good

Tom Lasorda, wary and tired of all the speculation, said he will remain retired and has no aspirations to manage again.

“I’m retired, it’s that simple,” Lasorda said Saturday in a telephone interview from Japan. “I’m not going to manage again.

“I want everybody to know I have managed my last game.”

Lasorda, 69, who is on a scouting and goodwill trip for the Dodgers, said that although he is healthy and feeling strong, he’s content to remain as vice president of the Dodgers.

“I’m not soliciting a job. I’ve never solicited for a job,” said Lasorda, who retired July 29, 1996, after nearly 20 years as Dodger manager. “I don’t want anybody to think that I want to manage again.”

Lasorda’s decision to stay retired could greatly enhance his chances of being voted into the Hall of Fame. The Veterans Committee convenes Wednesday in Tampa, Fla., and will vote on this year’s candidates.

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Left fielder Billy Ashley, still hoping he can force his way into the starting lineup, made a case Saturday in an 8-5 defeat to the New York Mets in St. Lucie, Fla.

Ashley, who hit only .132 last spring with three homers and seven RBIs, hit a two-run home run, a double and lined out deep to left field.

Ashley, who shortened his batting stroke and adjusted his grip on the bat, said he hopes he can at least leave an impression this spring that he can be an everyday player. He would rather be traded than sit on the Dodger bench.

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Knuckleballer Tom Candiotti realizes this spring could be different than any other. Scouts filled the stands at St. Lucie, knowing that the Dodgers are shopping him.

Candiotti broke a nail on his middle finger before the game but still pitched three innings. He gave up five hits, three walks and three runs, and did not throw a knuckleball in the last inning.

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Reliever Darren Dreifort signed a one-year, $220,000 contract, making him the lowest-paid Dodger pitcher. he Dodger pitching staff is scheduled to earn $20.035 million. . . . Dodger third baseman Todd Zeile [strained back] and outfielder Todd Hollandsworth [pulled groin] were held out of the game. Hollandsworth rejected a three-year $4.3-million contract and hopes to sign a two-year, $2.5-million-plus deal today. . . . The Dodgers signed center fielder Roger Cedeno to a one-year contract.