Staying the Course

Unshaken by their most recent disappointing finish, the Dodgers, for better or worse, are sticking with their plan.

They didn’t make blockbuster trades or sign big-name free agents. They kept their core group together, staying the course of building from within. And again, they’re relying on pitching, power and veteran poise.

The Dodgers today begin their 50th spring training at Dodgertown as they have many before, positioning themselves for a run at the National League West title and beyond. Clearly, most teams would long for their problems.

On the other hand, they have missed storms on the horizon before.

The Dodgers staggered across the finish line the last three seasons, frustrated by their annual breakdowns and subsequently vowing redemption. Last season, they squandered what was widely considered the best talent in their division and remained home during the postseason.

Now, the Dodgers face improved competition, questions about the organization’s future and the increasing restlessness of Southland fans, who grow impatient for playoff victories as the millennium closes. There aren’t any torches or pitchforks in sight, but these haven’t been the best of times.

Fortunately for the Dodgers, everything begins anew with spring. More than ever, they’re counting on a fresh start.

“I feel very good about the team . . . very good about our stability and makeup entering spring training,” Executive Vice President Fred Claire said. “We’re committed to keeping our nucleus together, and I think we’ve demonstrated that.

“As far as moves that were or were not made during the off-season, many things come into consideration there. Our fans have a good understanding of the issues that we’re faced with, and I believe our fans want to see players from the Dodger system remain with the team. I believe our fans want to see continuity, and that’s what we’ve tried to give them.”

Fans also want postseason success and World Series championships, which the Dodgers haven’t given them since 1988. Many observers speculated that big changes should come after last season’s 88-74, second-place finish behind the San Francisco Giants. That after being swept in the division series in 1995 and ’96.

However, Claire, with a mandate from outgoing owner Peter O’Malley, kept a watchful eye on the payroll, keeping the Dodgers out of the race for premier free agents.

They face questions in the outfield, but didn’t actively pursue Kenny Lofton or Brady Anderson, and lost Otis Nixon to the Minnesota Twins. They face questions in the bullpen, but didn’t target closer Rod Beck.

Claire tried to stir things by acquiring standout shortstop Mark Grudzielanek, among the game’s best offensively, from the Montreal Expos. But it didn’t work, so the Dodgers signed free-agent Jose Vizcaino from the Giants to replace the retired Greg Gagne. Vizcaino, whom the Dodgers traded in 1990, is steady defensively and may be a better fit in the long run, but acquiring Grudzielanek would have made a splash.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies, Giants and San Diego Padres bolstered their lineups with major acquisitions. And the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks spent freely, making the Dodgers the quiet member of the division.

The Dodgers won’t acknowledge it, but baseball sources maintain that the proposed sale of the team to Rupert Murdoch’s Fox group--and the politics surrounding the deal--affected the team’s off-season moves. So answers will come later.

“We’re going to have some competition for some jobs, but we have confidence in our young players,” Manager Bill Russell said. “We think these guys are ready to step up and we’re going to give them a chance out there.

“It’s not important if some people think we have question marks, that doesn’t matter. You just have to go out there and play and do the job.”

The pitching staff usually does.

After leading the major leagues in team earned-run average in 1996, the Dodgers finished second to the Atlanta Braves last season. The Dodgers still might have the best starting pitching west of Turner Field.

Chan Ho Park had a breakthrough season, going 14-8 with a 3.38 ERA. Ismael Valdes (10-11, 2.65 ERA) possesses the talent to dominate--but his teammates are tired of waiting for him.

Ramon Martinez’s rested torn throwing shoulder and Hideo Nomo’s surgically repaired elbow are keys to the group’s effectiveness. Rookie pitching coach Glenn Gregson must forge his identity while minimizing the loss of Dave Wallace, an admired teacher, to the New York Mets.

The Dodgers’ veteran lineup gives Russell peace of mind, beginning with all-star catcher Mike Piazza. In one of the greatest offensive seasons by a catcher, Piazza hit .362 with 40 home runs and 120 runs batted in. The former 62nd-round draft pick has hit more home runs and driven in more runs than any catcher in his first five seasons.

Although some Dodgers wilted under the pressure of the divisional race, Piazza batted .362 with 18 homers and 54 RBIs in the final two months. For the second consecutive season, Piazza was the runner-up in NL most-valuable-player award voting.

First baseman Eric Karros, right fielder Raul Mondesi and third baseman Todd Zeile joined Piazza in becoming the second Dodger quartet to hit at least 30 home runs in the same season.

“It’s important to have experienced guys who know what it takes,” Russell said. “We have guys who we can rely on, and Fred and Mr. O’Malley deserve a lot of credit for keeping the team intact.”

Second baseman Eric Young returned to the team late last season in a trade with the Rockies, providing Russell with another proven veteran and speed at the top of the lineup. The Dodger bench, a glaring weakness, should be improved by the signing of veteran free-agent outfielder Thomas Howard.

“The guys who have been here for the last four or five years, as well as some of the younger guys, know what’s expected of this team every year,” Piazza said. “Every year is important to us, but this is obviously a big year for a lot of other reasons.

“What we have to do is show what we’ve learned and go out and correct the mistakes we’ve made in the past. That’s not a mystery to anyone.”

The Dodgers are powerful, skilled and a year wiser. They’re about to find out if that’s enough.

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DODGER SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE

* FEBRUARY: 27--Houston; 28--vs. Baltimore at Ft. Lauderdale.

* MARCH: 1--Atlanta; 2--vs. St. Louis at Jupiter; 3--St. Louis; 4--vs. New York Mets at Port St. Lucie, 10:10 a.m.; 5--Florida; 6--Baltimore; 7--vs. New York Mets at Port St. Lucie, 11:10 a.m.; 8--Montreal; 9--New York Mets (ss), vs. Kansas City (ss) at Baseball City; 10--Florida; 11--vs. Montreal at Jupiter; 12--vs. Houston at Kissimmee; 13--Baltimore; 14--vs. Florida at Viera; 15--St. Louis; 16--vs. St. Louis at Jupiter; 17--Kansas City; 18--Off day; 19--St. Louis; 20--vs. Baltimore at Ft. Lauderdale; 21--vs. Montreal at Jupiter; 22--New York Mets; 23--vs. Atlanta at Orlando; 24--vs. Montreal at Jupiter; 25--Montreal, 9:35 a.m.; 26--Off day; 27--vs. Angels at Edison Field, 7 p.m.; 28--Angels at Dodger Stadium, 7 p.m.; 29--Angels at Dodger Stadium, 1 p.m.

* NOTE: All times 10 a.m. PDT unless noted; home games at Vero Beach; all games in Florida; ss--split squad game.)