Piazza Interest Surprises Many

Mike Piazza was surprised to learn that the Dodgers have made overtures to reacquire him from the New York Mets, and many of his former Dodger teammates were surprised as well.

Some were confused, wondering why team officials would pursue the all-star catcher after Fox executive Chase Carey traded Piazza last season because he spurned the team’s contract offers and criticized management publicly.

Others said it simply didn’t make sense for the Dodgers to target Piazza because the Mets wouldn’t trade him during the first year of his seven-year, $91-million deal.

“I was surprised to hear it,” said first baseman Eric Karros, among Piazza’s longtime friends. “Not so much that the club would be interested in a player of Mike’s caliber, because we all know Mike is an MVP-type player. Either Mike or [Atlanta Brave third baseman] Chipper Jones should be the [National League] MVP, in my opinion.

“It’s just that the Mets have made a long commitment to Mike. It would be a very big surprise to me if Mike didn’t spend a big part of that contract with the Mets. I would be shocked if he didn’t.”

Piazza obviously isn’t headed back to the Dodgers at this point, but seven years is a long time. Malone has a good relationship with Piazza’s agent, Dan Lozano, and his partners at the Beverly Hills Sports Council.

If the Mets and Piazza decide to break up in the future, who knows? After all, who thought a TV executive would trade Mike Piazza?

ON DECK

* Opponent--Montreal Expos, three games

* Site--Dodger Stadium

* Tonight--7

* TV--Fox Sports West 2 Tuesday and Wednesday

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Records--Dodgers 66-77, Montreal 60-83

* 1997 record vs. Expos--4-2

* Tickets--(323) 224-1HIT

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (9-10, 5.68 ERA) vs. EXPOS’ DAN SMITH (4-8, 5.59 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7 p.m.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--Park has victories in his last three decisions despite not pitching well. He has a 5.21 earned-run average during that span and has struggled with his command. Park had a no-decision in his last outing Wednesday against the Florida Marlins at Pro Player Stadium. The right-hander gave up three hits and two runs in four innings during the rain-delayed game that the Dodgers lost, 5-4, in 13 innings. Smith had a no-decision Aug. 11 against the Dodgers in a 9-7 Dodger victory. He gave up five hits and two runs in six innings.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Kevin Brown (16-7, 3.03) vs. Javier Vazquez (7-7, 5.41).

* Wednesday, 7 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (13-13, 4.84) vs. Jeremy Powell (2-6, 4.06).