Dodgers Gain Boss, Lose Their Streak

The Dodgers have been questioned more about off-field news than their performance during this draining season, and they were busy analyzing another major move Friday night.

The hiring of Kevin Malone as the new general manager was among the main topics of discussion in the visiting clubhouse at Qualcomm Stadium.

The Dodgers said they have heard good things about Malone, the former Baltimore Oriole assistant general manager.

They’re encouraged by comments Malone made about his commitment to rebuilding the ballclub, and pleased that the Fox Group finally put someone in charge for the long haul.

Fox Group officials appear committed to supporting Malone’s efforts by using some of the substantial resources of News Corp., which players said should hasten the Dodgers’ return to respectability.

But the Dodgers are realistic, acknowledging that Malone faces a formidable challenge.

A 1-0 loss to the San Diego Padres before a crowd of 32,830 prevented the Dodgers from matching their season-high winning streak of four games.

Dodger left-hander Brian Bohanon (6-10) pitched a complete-game seven-hitter, but his teammates supported him with only seven hits. The National League West-leading Padres scored the game’s only run in the first inning on a run-scoring single by Andy Sheets.

Padre right-hander Joey Hamilton (13-12) worked eight scoreless innings, and closer Trevor Hoffman completed the shutout in the ninth, earning his NL-leading 48th save.

Welcome to the Dodgers, Kevin Malone.

“He’s got a lot of work cut out for him,” said third baseman Bobby Bonilla, who was a member of the Orioles’ 1996 American League wild-card team that Malone helped to build.

“He’s a good baseball man, he’s the type of guy who will talk to you, and he’ll come up with a plan, but he has to do what’s in the best interest of the Dodgers in the long run. Sure, everybody would like a quick fix. And with the wild card, no one is willing to be patient.

“Everybody wants to be competitive, but you need to do it over the long haul. You have older players [on the team] right now who want to do nothing but win, but this organization is in such disarray right now.”

Deciding the fate of Manager Glenn Hoffman tops Malone’s to-do list.

Many in the organization have praised the first-year field leader for handling himself well in a difficult situation, assuming command of the club during this chaotic season. Malone said Friday he will evaluate Hoffman’s performance during the final 14 games, and speak with him frequently in an attempt to “see if Glenn is the right fit” for his plans.

Hoffman accepts the situation. Hoffman realizes that Malone has a job to do, and he believes he can help.

“There’s a new general manager, so he’s going to assess the whole organization, and I’m sure he’s already started to do that,” Hoffman said. “Like I’ve said before, all I can do is the best job I can to help this ballclub, and then see what happens.

“I’m looking forward to talking with him and hearing everything he wants to do. Of course, it’s something you think about, but it’s not something that I can control.”

The Dodgers, with a 60-million payroll, have $45.75 million committed to 11 players next season. And that doesn’t include other key players eligible for arbitration, including starting pitchers Darren Dreifort, Carlos Perez and Ismael Valdes, catcher Charles Johnson and shortstop Mark Grudzielanek.

At the very least, they also need a No. 1 starter and another starting outfielder. And then there’s that familiar “chemistry” issue.

“It’s good that we’re going to have money to spend, but it’s not just about spending money, it’s about spending to be a winning team,” second baseman Eric Young said. “To be a winner you need great chemistry. You need to look at how guys fit into the team, not just their stats.

“The stats don’t matter, it’s all about how you go out there and bust your [butt] every day to win. You look at what Kevin Malone did when he was in Montreal [as the Expos’ general manager from 1994-95]. Those guys weren’t making a lot of money, but he had solid guys. He created that type of environment to be successful.”

First baseman Eric Karros is confident that Malone will use his resources wisely.

“Obviously, from an individual standpoint, I want to win, and I want to win now,” said Karros, who has the longest tenure on the active roster.

“It sounds like they’re going to give the new GM the resources to try and win now, but to go out and spend money just to spend money doesn’t make sense. From everything I hear, he’s the type of guy who will develop a good plan.”

The Dodger minor league system is another area that requires Malone’s immediate attention, players said. Even club officials acknowledge that the system has been ravaged by horrible free-agent drafts throughout the decade.

“He has to get that in order,” Bonilla said. “Even during a championship season, you have to be able to call somebody up to help, and that’s not possible for us right now. There have been a lot of changes, and there are going to be a lot more.”