Piazza Is Not Missed by Many

It has been noticeable since the Dodgers’ former franchise player left town to join his new team.

It has been among the main topics of discussion among players, as well as Dodger officials.

The group’s disposition has changed for the better since the historic Mike Piazza trade, and Piazza’s former teammates now acknowledge that the all-star catcher’s situation was a burden on them all.

“Everybody can see the difference in the team,” Ramon Martinez said. “Everyone is excited again, and we feel good about the team.

“You see a big difference on the bench in the games . . . the way we’re acting even when [trailing]. Everything is better now.”

Martinez wasn’t alone in his assessment.

“I don’t think there’s anyone on this team who hasn’t noticed the change,” second baseman Eric Young said. “There were a lot of things that were happening, and we weren’t playing to our capabilities.

“We all knew that, and we knew that something needed to happen to help us get going again. That’s just a fact.”

Many of his former teammates were upset because they believed that Piazza’s volatile contract negotiations, which spurred the blockbuster seven-player deal, overshadowed their efforts since spring training.

They rallied around Piazza in the spring when former Dodger Brett Butler said that he was selfish, and that the team had underachieved because Piazza wasn’t a leader.

But those same Piazza supporters were later angered because they believed his emotions were affecting his play. He was leading the team with nine home runs and 30 RBIs at the time of the trade, but they said he wasn’t himself.

“It was hard for everybody,” outfielder Raul Mondesi said. “It was hard for Mike . . . hard for the team. It was bad.”

The Dodgers acknowledge that Piazza made an enormous contribution to the organization’s success, and they said they don’t hold anything against him personally, but his departure has helped to improve the team.

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A wild theory being advanced on sports-radio shows is that Piazza will re-sign with the Dodgers as a free agent when the season ends.

Once and for all: It’s not going to happen.

After the recent fireworks, Fox Group officials are finished with Piazza and his agent, Dan Lozano, on this front. And the feeling is mutual.

“That will not happen,” Lozano said. “That is no longer an option.”

Besides, the Dodgers are now committed to Charles Johnson.

Johnson, who turns 27 in July, was awarded a one-year $3.3-million contract in arbitration. He won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2000 season, but the Dodgers are hoping to sign him to a multiyear extension in the off-season.

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Gary Sheffield desperately wanted out of the Marlins’ cost-cutting situation, but he wouldn’t have waived his no-trade clause unless his buddies were included in the deal.

“I definitely would not have OK’d a one-for-one trade for Piazza,” the new Dodger right fielder said. “Going [to Los Angeles] with familiar guys was important to me.”

TODAY

DODGERS’

HIDEO NOMO

(2-5, 4.56 ERA)

vs.

CUBS’

KEVIN TAPANI

(5-2, 4.37 ERA)

Wrigley Field, 11:15 a.m.

Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Nomo returns to the scene of the worst performance in his professional career. He gave up eight runs (seven earned) and walked five in only two-thirds of an inning in an 8-1 loss here April 18.