Hollandsworth Keeps His Focus

By JOHN WEYLER and JASON REID

May 29, 1998 12 AM PT

Todd Hollandsworth might have been the odd man out after the Dodgers made the big May 15 trade with the Florida Marlins, but instead of losing his job to Gary Sheffield, the Dodgers put Sheffield in right, Raul Mondesi in center and Hollandsworth in left.

Hollandsworth made the most of the opportunity and hit .355 during the final seven games of the Dodgers’ recently completed nine-game trip.

Trade rumors were swirling around Dodger Stadium again and this time Hollandsworth’s name was included in a supposed deal that would have brought Randy Johnson to the Dodgers.

“I heard about it on ESPN when I got here today,” Hollandsworth said after Dodger officials said Thursday there would be no trade with Seattle. “It wasn’t really distracting. I didn’t have time to be distracted.”

Apparently unfazed, Hollandsworth extended his hitting streak to a career-high eight games with a single to center in the second inning.

Hollandsworth managed to keep his head in the game, even when he couldn’t wedge his way into the lineup earlier this month and he credit his focus as the key to his turnaround.

“I always come to the ballpark prepared to play,” he said. “Whether my name is up there on the wall or not, I’m still ready. I can’t control anything but how I prepare myself to go out there each day. I don’t have a say in anything else, all I can do is make the most of my opportunities when I’m called on.”

He has done that, Manager Bill Russell said.

“Holly’s really stepped up,” he said. “We needed him to give us a lift and he came through. This is what we expected from him. He’s an important part of this ballclub and we need him contributing.”

That was pretty much the message Hollandsworth got from Executive Vice President Fred Claire, who called him in for a short meeting to tell him there was no deal with Seattle.

“He just told [Hideo Nomo and I] that we were never part of this trade, that they’re very happy with what we’ve done and told us just to continue doing what we’re doing,” Hollandsworth said.

Hollandsworth’s reemergence in left seemingly leaves Paul Konerko without a position to play regularly.

Had Hollandsworth continued to disappoint Russell, Konerko would have been given a shot in left.

“We knew it was a possibility that he might not get too many at-bats, but we were in a position where we needed another right-handed bat,” Russell said of Konerko’s recall from Albuquerque on May 24. “He can fill in at first and third for those guys, and we’ll try to get him in there when we can. But that’s the way it’s going to be for now.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (4-3, 5.43 ERA)

vs.

REDS’ BRETT TOMKO (5-3, 3.84 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7 p.m.

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

* Update--Park lasted only 2 1/3 innings Sunday in an 8-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He gave up five hits and five runs (two earned) in his shortest outing of the season and the second shortest of his career. The right-hander was visibly shaken after his third loss in four starts, and he admitted his confidence has eroded. “I’m trying, I’m still working hard, but nothing is working for me right now,” Park said. “I’m just going to keep trying to [solve his problems]. I have to.” Russell said Park isn’t working alone. “We’re giving him all the support we can,” he said. “Chan Ho has got the talent, there’s no question about that. He’s just going through a bad time, which happens.”

New in Blue

How the key players involved in the Dodger-Marlin trade on May 15 are faring:

GARY SHEFFIELD

* With Dodgers: 17 for 43, .395 average, 2 home runs, 9 RBIs

* With Marlins: 27 for 136, .272, 6 home runs, 28 RBIs.

BOBBY BONILLA

* With Dodgers: 13 for 49, .265, 1 home run, 7 RBIs.

* With Marlins: 27 for 97, .278, 4 home runs, 17 RBIs

CHARLES JOHNSON

* With Dodgers: 2 for 40, .050, 1 home run, 2 RBI.

* With Marlins: 25 for 113, .221, 7 home runs, 24 RBIs.

JIM EISENREICH