Claire Responds to Lasorda Remark

Is somebody in the Dodger organization going to talk to Tommy Lasorda about watching his tongue?

“I think that would be appropriate, yes,” Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, said.

Claire, not normally one to let his personal feelings show, was obviously upset at a remark made by Lasorda, the former Dodger manager, after Lasorda’s induction into the Hall of Fame on Sunday in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Lasorda, who has vehemently denied rumors he will be after Claire’s job when owner Peter O’Malley’s imminent sale of the club is complete, was asked which of the current 28 managers Lasorda would pick to run an organization he controlled.

Lasorda named New York Met Manager Bobby Valentine.

That might not only be perceived as a slight at Dodger Manager Bill Russell, it could be perceived as tampering.

“Billy Russell is the Dodger manager,” Claire said, “and he’s doing an outstanding job. He has earned and should be given the full support of everybody in the Dodger organization.

“Any mention of any owner, manager, coach, player, or scout under contract to another organization is not appropriate. It is not fair to the organizations involved. The rules on tampering are as basic as they can be. There are guidelines to restrict you.”

But Claire added he wasn’t trying to muzzle Lasorda.

“I’ve always been a believer in free speech,” Claire said.

He insists he is not concerned with rumors that Lasorda is after his job.

“It’s not an issue with me,” Claire said. “This job is so demanding that the only place I can keep my focus is on it. I give it all my attention. If I’m not focusing on the team, then I’m not where I need to be.

“I’ve said from day one on this job, which was 11 years ago, that I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.”

Claire sees no reason why there should be any tension within the organization as the days of O’Malley’s reign dwindle.

“I think Peter has done an outstanding job of addressing the issues [of job security] in a difficult time,” Claire said. “With the sale pending, he has been marvelous in meeting personnel at all levels.”

Has anybody asked O’Malley to reconsider his decision to sell?

“Peter has said that the game is in the seventh inning,” Claire said. “You don’t stop a game in the seventh inning.”

There are rain delays, Claire was reminded.

“That is,” Claire said, “still an official game.”

*

Although Jackie Robinson was honored a year ago by the Montreal Expos, who placed the No. 20 he wore as a member of the minor-league Montreal Royals in a permanent place near the Expo on-deck circle in Olympic Stadium, there was another pregame ceremony Tuesday.

TODAY’S GAME

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (10-5, 2.96 ERA) vs. EXPOS’ DUSTIN HERMANSON (5-5, 4.01 ERA)

* Olympic Stadium, 4:30 p.m.

* Radio--KABC (790), KWKW (1330)

* Update--No matter how well Chan Ho Park does, and he’s done pretty well considering that he’s won a career-high five consecutive games, the Dodgers’ Korean-born pitcher will not be satisfied until he’s pitched a complete game. He came close in his last outing, getting into the ninth inning before Manager Bill Russell pulled Park after he walked a batter with the Dodgers leading the Chicago Cubs, 4-1. Asked if he ever considered asking Russell to leave him in, Park said, “He doesn’t listen to me. Maybe three years from now, he’ll listen to me.” If closer Todd Worrell continues to have his problems, Russell may listen. The Dodgers are 3-2 on this 10-game trip and 2-2 this season in Olympic Stadium.