Jackie Would Be Proud of This Kind of Victory

All systems are go for the big “Jackie Robinson Salute” at Jackie’s western branch office, Dodger Stadium.

The Robinson tribute will take place before Saturday night’s Dodger game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. (As part of the ceremonies, the Dodgers should hold a contest for the fans: “Name three Pittsburgh Pirates.”)

On Thursday night, the Dodgers got in the mood to honor 1947’s National League rookie of the year. They defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-1, with a home run by 1993 rookie of the year Mike Piazza, a single and stolen base by 1992 rookie of the year Eric Karros--rarely mistaken for Robinson on the bases--and a game-winning double by 1996 rookie of the year Todd Hollandsworth.

A little clutch hitting, a little smart base running . . . Jackie, this game really hasn’t changed much in 50 years, has it?

The Dodgers expect a full house for Saturday’s festivities, as opposed to the 26,579 who showed up Thursday.

There’s a fabulous photographic exhibit on the stadium’s Club Level, on display through April 9. Presented by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the exhibit is called “Stealing Home: How Jackie Robinson Changed America,” and is must-see viewing for any baseball lover from five to 95.

Half a century after Robinson burst through baseball’s white curtain, the Dodgers are still out there trying to play the game the way he did.

Hustle is still half the battle. The reason they won Thursday’s game was that Karros stole second base while Todd Zeile was looking at Strike Three. Karros put himself in scoring position, Hollandsworth got him home.

For a while there, for the Dodgers to get a run, I thought Karros might have to steal third and home, Robinson style.

Goose-egged in their season opener, the Dodgers failed to score in all but one inning Thursday. They haven’t exactly ripped the cover off the ball.

Fortunately, thanks to strong pitching and timely hitting, Bill Russell’s club has won twice now while trying to make the most of a season-opening, nine-game home stand.

Starting pitcher Ismael Valdes looked very sharp, just as Hideo Nomo did the day before. The victory was Valdes’ fifth in a row, carrying over from last season.

That’s the good thing about having good pitching. The hitters can wait a few weeks to warm up. Eventually, these Dodgers will hit.

Batting .000 for now is the left side of their infield, Zeile and shortstop Greg Gagne. But the young second baseman, 50th anniversary Robinson-wanna-be Wilton Guerrero, and a center fielder who is old enough to be his father, Brett Butler, are swinging the bat well in the season’s first week.

And the first sure sign of spring was in the air . . . Piazza sliced a homer to right field.

Piazza could be the only batter in baseball who is in the groove when he doesn’t get around on a pitch, instead slapping it to the opposite field. His leadoff homer in the sixth was vintage Piazza. He inside-outed one over the short fence in right.

Earlier in the game, the Phillies pitched around Piazza with a runner on second base, dangerously electing to face Karros instead. It’s the proper strategy in that situation, setting up a force at any base.

But after Piazza’s home run, Karros tagged the first pitch for a single to center. Then he swiped second and waited for the Todd Squad behind him to drive him home, Hollandsworth obliging when Zeile failed.

Todd Three, relief ace Worrell, blew away the Phils in the ninth for his first save.

This is a year when a lot of people like the way the Dodgers look on paper. They seem to have what it takes--pitching, hitting, defense--to make a run at the pennant, but had better put something extra into every effort, the way Robinson did 50 years ago.

Baseball players who know their history, in particular Worrell and Butler on this team, have taken it upon themselves to try to bring this club closer together in teamwork and spirit. Some of the younger Dodgers should pay special attention during Saturday’s tribute to Robinson, if they want to know how to make the most out of a long-overdue opportunity.