With Ouster of President, No One Is Unimpeachable

Another day, another longtime Dodger official is forced out.

President Bob Graziano became the latest victim of Fox’s corporate culture when his termination was announced Tuesday. The 14-year employee, in his second year as president, was informed his services were no longer needed Thursday by Rick Welts, President of Fox Sports Enterprises.

Welts said the decision had nothing to do with the Dodgers’ miserable on-field performance this season, but Dodger employees didn’t accept the spin.

Someone had to take the fall for this $80-million mess.

Many Dodgers spoke admirably about Graziano before a 6-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at 3Com Park. And everyone knew exactly why Graziano has been fired.

“These are the kind of things you expect to happen when you don’t win, but nobody expected it to happen now,” left fielder Gary Sheffield said. “The last thing anyone had on their minds was another person getting fired in the last six games of the season.

“It surprised me because I always thought he was one of the good guys in the organization. He was always there for the players even in the bad times. He was always upbeat and he was looking forward to next season. Like I said, no one expected this.”

As for General Manager Kevin Malone’s status, Welts said “I can tell you Kevin Malone is not going anywhere next season.”

Malone isn’t thinking about that.

“I spend a lot of time studying The Word,” Malone said. “The Bible directs us not to worry about things. All I can control is my effort. I’m going to keep working hard and trying to find people who will work equally as hard and try to turn this around.

“But I can only control my effort. I can’t control the outcome. I believe God brought me here to Los Angeles by His sovereignty and we’re just going to keep trying to get the job done. We didn’t get it done this year. We’re frustrated, we’re disappointed.”

Manager Davey Johnson appeared shaken by the news, although the move had been rumored since the All-Star break.

“You hear a lot of things, but that doesn’t make it any easier to handle [when they occur],” Johnson said. “Bob is a class man and a straight-shooter. He’s someone I consider a friend, so that makes it even harder.”

Third-base coach Glenn Hoffman also was disappointed. Last season, Graziano promoted the then-triple-A manager to manage the Dodgers after he fired Bill Russell.

“He gave me an opportunity and I’ll always appreciate that,” Hoffman said. “But more than that, Bob was a good friend. He was always there for anyone who needed him.

“He came in at a time when he had to handle the transition from Mr. O’Malley to the new owners. I thought he did a good job with that.”

Although many are disappointed that Graziano has been fired, those who remain still have jobs to do. And they realize they had better do them well.

“We just have to make sure we work around the clock to get this organization on top again,” Johnson said. “We have to do everything we can to make this a top organization. Fox isn’t going to settle for anything less from us--and I’m not going to settle for anything less either.”

Sheffield was linked to Graziano because of the Mike Piazza trade last season. Sheffield waived his no-trade clause to complete the seven-player blockbuster after his agent negotiated with Graziano and Fox officials.

Since joining the Dodgers last May 15, Sheffield has played under three managers and three general managers. Now, a new president will soon join the team.

So much for Dodger stability.

“I thought I was joining the most stable organization in baseball, but I’m not saying it can’t be that way again,” Sheffield said. “With the talent we have in this organization, and with some of the young guys [pitchers] coming along, it shouldn’t be that hard after they get on whatever direction and path they want us to take.”

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Staff writer Paul Gutierrez contributed to this story.