Look Who’s Talking Now

With the Dodgers a longshot for postseason play, the most important part of this homestand won’t be what happens on the field, but what happens in the private boxes on the third level.

That’s where a string of candidates for the general manager’s job will be sitting, discussing their ideas for the Dodgers’ future.

Bob Watson, former general manager of the New York Yankees, was there Tuesday night. Florida Marlin General Manager Dave Dombrowski is expected today. Over the weekend, the Dodgers are expected to talk to Omar Minaya, assistant general manager and director of international scouting for the New York Mets. And Tuesday, the Dodgers expect to interview Gary Hughes, vice president and director of player personnel for the Marlins.

Last week, the Dodgers interviewed Jim Bowden, general manager of the Cincinnati Reds, and Dean Taylor, assistant general manager of the Atlanta Braves.

Tom Lasorda has been filling the position since Fred Claire was fired in June, but the Dodgers would like to have his permanent replacement in the fold by season’s end.

Lasorda said he has no interest in taking the position full time.

“This is a job for a younger guy,” he said. “I really enjoy it, but it’s just too much. I’ll be 71 next month. If I was 10 years younger, I would really love to have it.”

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Lasorda has complained to National League President Leonard Coleman about remarks made by Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox after Dodger pitcher Darren Dreifort hit Atlanta’s Andres Galarraga, triggering a brawl. Cox said he wished that Dreifort, who had to leave because of cuts on his arm, had stayed in the game so that the Braves could have returned the favor and hit him.

“Somebody should be penalized for that,” Lasorda said of Cox’s remark. “I demand it. What if [Cox] had brought a pitcher in and he hits Dreifort in the head and Dreifort gets blinded or gets killed. What would Cox have said then?”

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Dodger right-hander Ismael Valdes, recovering from a strained stomach muscle suffered a month ago, will make his second rehabilitation start Thursday, pitching for the Class-A San Bernardino Stampede in San Bernardino against the Lancaster JetHawks. Valdes’ first rehabilitation start was for the Class-A Vero Beach Dodgers last Saturday. . . . Dodger publicity director Derrick Hall and his wife, Amy, have a new son, Hayden Wade, born Tuesday afternoon. The newest Hall weighs seven pounds, 10 ounces.

TONIGHT

DODGERS CHAN HO PARK (11-7, 3.90 ERA) vs. EXPOS’ CARL PAVANO (4-6, 4.44 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports West 2. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330, Spanish).

Update--After winning 11 decisions in a row at Dodger Stadium, Park has lost two in a row at home.