Reorganization Finally Reaches Deep Into Dugout

The reorganization of the Dodgers continued Tuesday when Manager Glenn Hoffman and his coaching staff were removed by General Manager Kevin Malone, club sources said.

Hoffman and coaches Manny Mota, Joe Amalfitano, Mike Scioscia, Charlie Hough, Mickey Hatcher and John Shelby will be offered positions in the organization. The move, which had been expected since Malone assumed control of baseball operations three weeks ago, paves the way for the Dodgers to pursue Felipe Alou of the Montreal Expos.

Entering this season, the Dodgers had not fired a manager since moving from Brooklyn in 1958. They have now replaced two in a little more than three months.

Malone, Hoffman and members of the coaching staff were unavailable for comment. The Dodgers are expected to announce the reassignments today.

Derrick Hall, Dodger media relations director, confirmed that Malone and Hoffman discussed the situation Tuesday.

“Kevin and Glenn did meet to talk about next season, but no official decision has been announced,” Hall said. “And until a decision is announced, the organization cannot comment on the matter.”

There are still details to be finalized, but sources said the coaches will receive offers to work in the farm system if they are not retained by the new manager. Hoffman is the only member of the group expected to be offered a job at the major league level at this time.

Alou remains the No. 1 candidate on Malone’s list to manage the Dodgers next season. Alou and Malone are longtime friends who worked well together when Malone was the general manager in Montreal.

The Expos are facing an unsteady ownership situation, and Alou recently said he would be interested in talking with the Dodgers if the manager job became open. The Expos soon will grant the Dodgers permission to speak with Alou, who sources said would not accept another position unless Montreal made it easy for him to leave.

The decision to remove Hoffman was cleared by team President Bob Graziano, who fired Bill Russell and replaced him with Hoffman on June 21. Hoffman guided the Dodgers to a record of 47-41, and they finished third in the National League West at 83-79.

Hoffman, who formerly managed the Dodgers’ triple-A farm club at Albuquerque, is considered one of the few rising young leaders from the old regime. Graziano admired the way he conducted himself after taking charge during the most turbulent season in franchise history.

But this was Hoffman’s first experience as a major league manager. The Dodgers are expected to have a payroll of more than $70 million next season, and Malone wants someone more experienced at the controls.

Last week, Hoffman, 39, said he would accept another position with the club. One source said Hoffman is being considered for a variety of roles, and that he would retain a position of importance.

Mota, Scioscia and Amalfitano were the coaches retained from Russell’s staff. Mota--the all-time major league leader with 150 pinch-hits--handled many duties for Russell and Hoffman.

Scioscia, a former all-star catcher with the club, continued in his role as bench coach after Russell was fired. Amalfitano has been the Dodgers’ third base coach for 16 seasons.

Under Hoffman, Hatcher was the batting instructor, Hough the pitching coach and Shelby the bullpen coach. They replaced Reggie Smith, Glenn Gregson and Mark Cresse, respectively, in the purge that immediately followed the firing of Russell and executive vice president Fred Claire.

Hatcher, Hough and Shelby were working in the minor league system when they were promoted.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

L.A. DODGER MANAGERS

WALTER ALSTON

Years: 1958-1976

Record: 1,673-1,365

Playoffs: 16-14

World Series Titles: 3

TOM LASORDA

Years: 1976-1996

Record: 1,613-1,455

Playoffs: 31-30

World Series Titles: 2

BILL RUSSELL

Years: 1996-1998

Record: 173-149

Playoffs: 0-3

World Series Titles: 0

GLENN HOFFMAN

Year: 1998

Record: 47-41

Playoffs: 0-0

World Series Titles: 0

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Moving Experience

The expected removal of Glenn Hoffman as manager is only one of several major changes made by the Dodgers in 1998:

* March 20--Fox purchases Dodgers for $311 million.

* May 16--Traded catcher Mike Piazza and third baseman Todd Zeile to Florida for third baseman Bobby Bonilla, outfielder Gary Sheffield, catcher Charles Johnson, outfielder Jim Eisenreich and pitcher Manuel Barrios.

* June 2--Designated pitcher Hideo Nomo for assignment. Eventually traded Nomo to New York Mets.

* June 22--Fired manager Bill Russell and executive vice president Fred Claire. Replace them with Glenn Hoffman and Tom Lasorda.

* July 4--Traded infielder Paul Konerko and pitcher Dennis Reyes to Cincinnati for pitcher Jeff Shaw.

* July 31--Traded second baseman Wilton Guerrero, outfielder Peter Bergeron, pitcher Ted Lilly and first baseman Jonathan Tucker to Montreal for pitcher Carlos Perez, shortstop Mark Grudzielanek and outfielder Hiram Bocachica.

* September 11--Hired Kevin Malone as general manager, replacing Lasorda, who was named senior vice president.