Malone Mad at Park’s Agent

Infuriated by recent comments made by the agent for pitcher Chan Ho Park, General Manager Kevin Malone said emphatically Friday the organization will not resume contract negotiations with them during the season.

Steve Kim, Park’s representative, said Thursday the on-again, off-again negotiations about a multiyear extension for Park had only been temporarily suspended, acknowledging for the first time figures have been exchanged.

Kim said negotiations had intensified when they were mutually suspended April 25 because the discussions had adversely affected Park’s performance. However, Malone said the Dodgers have closed the door for now, admonishing Kim for his handling of the situation.

“I’m really tired of this, I’m tired of Steve Kim constantly trying to push the Dodgers when this wasn’t supposed to be talked about now,” said Malone, who did not accompany the team on the trip to St. Louis. “They [Kim and Park] told us they wanted to get something worked out in spring training, and we tried to do that.

“When it dragged into the season, they said they wanted to end it for now because Chan Ho was bothered by it. Now I see this [Kim’s comments] and I’m very upset about it. It’s time to let it go now.”

Park is in the final year of his contract but won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2001 season.

“I have a problem understanding what Steve Kim is trying to do,” Malone said. “Chan Ho tells me he doesn’t want to deal with this right now, he wants to focus totally on his job, and that’s fine with me. But Steve Kim keeps bringing this up.

“We’re trying to win games and this is a distraction that we don’t need. I want to make this absolutely clear: We’re not going to talk about this again until we’re finished. That’s it.”

Attempts to contact Kim on Friday were unsuccessful.

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The Dodger Stadium remodeling plans are taking shape, including the construction of 35-40 luxury suites scheduled to be ready by next season.

The team is currently building a model suite to be viewed by potential buyers. Most suites will cost $370,000 and $390,000 to rent annually.

“The model suite should be ready by the first or second week of June, and we’re on pace to begin construction whenever the season ends,” team President Bob Graziano said. “Even if the season doesn’t end until the end of October, we’ll be ready for opening day 2000.”