A Not-So Wild Ride

By JASON REID

Aug. 12, 1998 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

The team president increased the payroll to nearly $60 million, the general manager guaranteed a playoff appearance and the Dodgers now have all-stars throughout their lineup because of several major trades.

Welcome to the manager’s hot seat, Glenn Hoffman.

The rookie field leader has what many consider the toughest job in the major leagues, trying to guide the Dodgers to the National League wild-card berth during perhaps the most traumatic season in franchise history.

Hoffman assumed control less than two months ago, has managed fewer than 50 games and the roster has been radically reshaped during his brief tenure. But in the new Dodger order, Hoffman doesn’t get a grace period.

The Dodgers have been rebuilt throughout this dizzying season to win now. His future and that of team President Bob Graziano and interim General Manager Tom Lasorda are linked to how the Dodgers fare down the stretch.

Their cause wasn’t helped in an 8-6 loss to the rebuilding Florida Marlins on Tuesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers dropped to 24-21 under Hoffman, and failed to gain ground in the wild-card race with time running out.

Hoffman, Graziano and Lasorda are seemingly secure in their positions if the Dodgers qualify for postseason play. But if the Dodgers are done playing in September, that trio might be done as well.

Hoffman has 43 games to make everything work--and the stakes are high.

“We have to go out and get the job done,” Hoffman said. “We’ve got to play the way we’re capable of playing and win some games.

“These guys in here [the clubhouse] know what we need to do, and we’ve got the right guys to get it done. We’re not in the position we need to be in right now, but we’re battling to get there.”

And Hoffman is leading the way.

He replaced Bill Russell at the helm June 22 after the Dodgers went 36-38, failing to meet Graziano’s expectations. Mike Piazza already had been traded in the blockbuster deal with the Florida Marlins on May 15, and Hoffman moved in with Lasorda, who replaced former executive vice president Fred Claire, at a crossroads for the franchise.

“Hoffy has done as good a job as can be expected under the circumstances,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “He’s been put in a very tough situation, with all of the changes we’ve been going through, and we’re still getting to know each other.”

Hoffman, 40, was in only his second season of managing the triple-A Albuquerque Dukes, and his fifth season overall as a minor league manager, when Graziano promoted him. The former middle infielder played parts of nine seasons in the major leagues, spending 40 games with the Dodgers in 1987.

But those experiences couldn’t prepare Hoffman for what he’s encountered in his first big league managerial job.

Graziano bumped the payroll because he understands the expectations of his superiors at the Fox Group.

The open-checkbook policy provided Lasorda with greater flexibility than his predecessor had, and he acquired all-stars in closer Jeff Shaw, left-handed starter Carlos Perez and shortstop Mark Grudzielanek.

Along the way, Lasorda guaranteed that the Dodgers were playoff-bound. That move surprised many within the organization, especially considering that Hoffman is a rookie under extreme pressure.

But Hoffman said he isn’t fazed.

“I really haven’t felt any pressure,” he said. “I know I have a job to do to help this team win, and that’s what I’m focused on.

“I come to the ballpark every day ready to bust my butt, to do whatever it takes to help this team win. This has obviously been a real interesting season for a lot of reasons, and I’m aware of that.

“But no matter what’s been said or what’s happened in the past, the bottom line is that we have to go out on the field and play the game right. If we just do that, everything will take care of itself.”

There has been speculation that bench coach Mike Scioscia was Lasorda’s first choice to succeed Russell and that Graziano persuaded him to back Hoffman during discussions leading to the firings of Russell and Claire. But Dodger sources dispute that, saying that Lasorda was among Hoffman’s main supporters throughout the process.

Moreover, Hoffman has heard speculation that Lasorda is eager to replace him next season with New York Met Manager Bobby Valentine, a longtime friend. Lasorda once said he would want to hire Valentine as his manager if he ever became a general manager.

Again, Hoffman isn’t worried.

“I really haven’t thought about it [the speculation] because I know what my relationship is with Tommy,” Hoffman said. “I know all the things Tommy has done to help me in my career, and I know how he’s helping me now.”

Lasorda dismisses the speculation, saying that Hoffman is “my guy.”

“Glenn has impressed me with the way he’s handled everything,” Lasorda said. “He stepped into the job and he’s learning more and more every day.

“We talk all the time, and he asks a lot of questions because he’s trying to learn as much as he can.”

Hoffman doesn’t require Lasorda’s help in his relationships with players. He relates well to them because he was one of them not long ago, finishing his playing career at Albuquerque in 1990.

“One thing I’ve always tried to do is put myself in the players’ shoes,” Hoffman said. “No matter the situation, I always try to look at things through the players’ eyes.

“I know what it was like to be a player and deal with everything you have to deal with, and I think that helps me.”

It didn’t help Russell much because of his stoic personality. Players said Russell rarely interacted with them, but it’s not unusual to see Hoffman sitting and laughing with players after games.

“It was difficult for the first regime [Russell and his coaching staff],” second baseman Eric Young said. “They were under a lot of pressure with everything that was going on, and you could see the strain on their faces.

“Hoff has come in with a real relaxed attitude, and he’s trying to create that type of atmosphere. He’s trying to get everyone to get back to just focusing on baseball again.”

Hoffman relies on his veterans for help. He welcomes input from players such as Karros, Young and right fielder Gary Sheffield.

“It helps when your manager wants those lines of communication open,” Sheffield said. “That’s telling us that he doesn’t feel he knows everything in his first big league job. Guys want to help you if you don’t act like a know-it-all, and you show them their opinions are appreciated.”

Comments like that reaffirm Graziano’s decision to hire Hoffman. He’s more confident than ever he picked the right man.

“I feel Glenn has done a great job,” Graziano said. “I know Glenn is confident as well in his ability, and I’m confident he will do what’s needed over these final games.”

A few careers depend on it.

RANDY HARVEY: Dodger catcher Charles Johnson is having trouble coming to his own defense. C2

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

The Dodgers: Before and After

Under Bill Russell

Record: 36-38, .486

Poisition: 3rd place, 12 1/2 out

Wild card: 7 behind S.F.

Runs per game: 4.30

Batting avg.: .251

ERA: 3.95

Under Glenn Hoffman