Malone Expected to Get GM Offer

Kevin Malone, assistant general manager of the Baltimore Orioles, is expected to be offered the Dodger general manager position today, baseball sources said Thursday.

As of Thursday night, Malone had not received an offer from the Dodgers. But sources said that President Bob Graziano is expected to move quickly today, presenting Malone with a lucrative package to assume control of the club’s baseball operations.

Graziano is eager to fill the job, and hopes to introduce the new general manager early next week. Malone emerged as the No. 1 candidate Wednesday because Dave Dombrowski, general manager of the Florida Marlins, removed himself from consideration after signing a five-year, $5-million contract extension to remain with the Marlins.

Jim Bowden, general manager of the Cincinnati Reds, and Bob Watson, former general of the New York Yankees, are the other candidates. But the Dodgers aren’t expected to turn to them unless Malone declines an offer.

Malone has worked closely with Baltimore General Manager Pat Gillick the past two seasons, helping to build the Orioles’ 1997 American League East championship team.

Before joining the Orioles, Malone was considered among the National League’s top general managers while with the Montreal Expos. He makes about $300,000 annually.

Malone would be a strong candidate to become the Orioles’ general manager if Gillick leaves Baltimore at season’s end, as many believe he will. But baseball sources said that Malone wants the Dodger job, and hopes to receive an offer from Graziano.

Chase Carey and Peter Chernin--co-chief executives of Fox Group’s parent company News Corp.--recently completed their follow-up interviews with the prospective Dodger candidates.

Graziano had been equally comfortable with Dombrowski and Malone from the start of the process, Dodger sources said. Support is strong within the organization for Malone, who is viewed as a strong compromise choice between those who supported Dombrowski and the other two finalists.

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The official scorer for the Dodger-Padre game Thursday ruled that Eric Young reached second base in the seventh inning on a two-base throwing error by Padre third baseman George Arias.

It appeared that Young should have been credited with the first hit against Padre starter Kevin Brown, who had a perfect game through six innings. Young, who went hitless in four at-bats, thought the ruling was laughable.

“Everyone in the stadium knew that was a hit,” Young said of the high chopper. “You tell me how that wasn’t a hit? The ball was behind me when I was at the bag.

“I could see if the ball was in front of me, but it was behind me. I understand what was going on at that particular moment [the no-hitter was still intact with that ruling], but it was still wrong.”

The Padres, in their 30 seasons, have never had a no-hitter.

“If I would have gone out, who knows, he probably would have continued mastering us, and it could have been a no-hitter and everything,” Young said.

“Probably getting a runner on base and the fact that it was controversial, a lot of people making noise about it, it could have affected him.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ BRIAN BOHANON (6-9, 2.91 ERA) vs. PADRES’ JOEY HAMILTON (12-12, 4.55 ERA)

Qualcomm Stadium, 7 p.m.

TV--Channel 5. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Bohanon is having his best season in the final year of his contract. The burly left-hander is 4-5 with a 2.74 earned-run average in 11 starts with the Dodgers.