Hoffman Wondering if He’ll Stick Around

Dodger Manager Glenn Hoffman hasn’t been on the job long, although this season has seemed like an eternity at times.

Hoffman was thrust into a chaotic situation when he assumed control of the Dodgers under trying circumstances, and things haven’t worked out as the first-year field leader had hoped.

But there have been some good times.

Hoffman experienced one of those rare moments Wednesday night in a 6-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark.

A crowd of 41,092 watched as right-hander Carlos Perez (9-13) pitched a complete game in the Dodgers’ final appearance here this season.

Perez gave up nine hits and two runs in his second successive strong performance after beginning his Dodger career 0-3 with a 5.91 earned-run average in his first six starts.

He was efficient, striking out six without a walk while throwing 70 strikes in 98 pitches. Perez shut out the Philadelphia Phillies in his most recent start for his first victory with the team.

Eric Young and Bobby Bonilla hit home runs as the Dodgers won for the second time in the three-game series and moved two games above .500 at 74-72.

Hoffman, whose record improved to 38-34, might have only 16 games remaining as Dodger manager.

The Dodgers will soon hire a new general manager, and Tom Lasorda’s successor will determine Hoffman’s fate. Hoffman has grown accustomed to the manager’s office, but he acknowledges that it might not be his much longer.

“Everything is so up in the air right now,” he said. “Nobody knows what’s going to happen, so it doesn’t make any sense to get caught up in that. I still have a job to do.”

But no matter what his future holds, Hoffman is appreciative for the opportunity he has had.

“I think this has helped me quite a bit,” he said. “I’ve had a chance to do some things that I haven’t done before, and to see the game in a different way.”

Especially this season.

The Dodgers haven’t been able to catch their breath during this dizzying season, which has included a series of traumatic events for them and their fans. And Hoffman has been on board for much of the upheaval.

“It’s definitely been an unusual year,” he said. “It has been frustrating at times because everyone is trying so hard. Like anything, you have your good days and your bad days, but I think the staff and I have helped. I think there are guys here who will be better next year for everything that we’ve tried to do this year.

“Whether it was throwing a guy extra BP [batting practice], or working with them in the field or whatever, we’ve only tried to help this team be successful. You just hope that what you’re doing helps.”

It has, Lasorda said.

“Glenn Hoffman has done a wonderful job,” said Lasorda, who will become a club advisor after his successor is hired.

“You look at how he works with the players and the communication he has with them. You see the time he puts in trying to help the Dodgers be successful. What more could you ask from him?”

Hoffman’s commitment to the Dodgers is unquestioned, team officials said. He moved into the manager’s office with the team sinking, and he recognized what he was getting himself into.

So did his superiors.

“One of the things that impressed me about Glenn was his ability to handle challenging situations,” President Bob Graziano said in a recent interview. “Quite frankly, I knew that Glenn would be able to handle the challenges of this season because of things I had heard about him from people in the organization and from the outside.

“We needed Glenn to step in when he did, and he’s done a good job. That’s been very important.”