Scioscia Knows Handwriting Could Be on the Wall

Mike Scioscia has been a Dodger for more than 20 years as a player and coach.

The former all-star catcher helped the club win two World Series and four division titles in 13 seasons. Scioscia, who has been the bench coach the last two seasons, is the Dodgers’ all-time leader in games caught, and is among the franchise leaders in many other categories.

His past has been linked to Dodger Blue--but his future might not be.

New General Manager Kevin Malone will decide whether Manager Glenn Hoffman and his coaches return. Scioscia would prefer to remain with the Dodgers, but he’s prepared to move on if the time comes.

“Obviously, everything that happened this year has been a new experience for all of us,” said Scioscia, who was drafted by the club in 1976. “It’s been a year of transition, it’s been part of the evolution of the organization, and it’s not something that we’re used to.

“This is something we’ve heard about from friends of ours in other organizations, and this happens in the ‘real’ baseball world.”

The Dodgers have undergone radical changes in their first season under the Fox Group umbrella. The mass firings in June were especially traumatic for longtime employees, Scioscia among them.

In a four-day period, Executive Vice President Fred Claire, Manager Bill Russell and three members of the coaching staff were fired. Scioscia, Manny Mota and Joe Amalfitano were the coaches who survived the purge.

“That was a real difficult time for all of us,” Scioscia said. “You’re talking about people who are your friends, guys you’ve known for a long time. But you have to stay focused on doing your job, that’s just the way it is.”

Scioscia, once considered the heir apparent as manager, was passed over in favor of Hoffman when Russell was fired. But Scioscia said he doesn’t regret having declined opportunities to interview for managerial positions last off-season.

“I did that without any guarantees from anyone in management, and those were the right decisions at the time,” said Scioscia, who turns 40 in November. “As far as the situation here goes, I learned a long time ago not to worry about things you can’t control. In this game, you just have to roll with the punches.”

And Scioscia might be doing that elsewhere next season.

ON DECK

* Opponent--San Diego Padres, two games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Today--7 p.m.

* TV--Fox Sports West 2 today and Wednesday.

* Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 79-77, Padres 96-61.

* 1998 record vs. Padres--4-6.

* Tickets--(213) 224-1568.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (13-9, 3.83 ERA) vs. PADRES’ JOEY HAMILTON (13-12, 4.32 ERA)

* Update--Park needs one victory to match his career high, set last year in his first season as a full-time starter. The Padres clinched the National League West title against the Dodgers on Sept. 12 at San Diego.