Giants’ New Park Definitely Has a Familiar Ring to It

The Dodgers will help the San Francisco Giants open Pac Bell Park today, and they liked what they saw Monday during a 90-minute workout.

“It’s beautiful,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “I know the wind is still going to be tough, but it looks like it’s a real fan-friendly ballpark.”

The Giants’ new $319-million home is also expected to be more visiting-team friendly than Candlestick Park, also recently known as 3Com Park.

Opponents dreaded playing at the Giants’ former home because of the problems caused by wind and cold temperatures. Although Pac Bell Park is located near the ocean downtown, the ballpark was constructed with wind conditions in mind.

“This is going to be a big turnaround for sure,” said utilityman Jose Vizcaino, who started at shortstop for the Giants in ’97. “Candlestick was too cold and too far from the city. A lot of people didn’t come because it was cold, and they had to go too far to get there.

“Now, the transportation is easy. A lot of people will come because it’s easy to get there and it won’t be as cold.”

Of course, the weather did help the Giants, Vizcaino said.

“You knew other teams didn’t want to come play you there,” he said. “you knew you had an advantage because they didn’t like it.”

Utilityman F.P. Santangelo attended many games at Candlestick Park while growing up in Sacramento, and played for the Giants last season.

He likes the new park, but Candlestick will always be special for him.

“This is a much better park, but it is kind of weird for me,” Santangelo said. “I went to a lot of games at Candlestick as a kid, and I played there too, so it’s just a little different.”

*

As expected, team physicians Norman Zemel and Frank Jobe recommended that right-hander Kevin Brown go on the disabled list after breaking the pinky finger on his pitching hand.

Manager Davey Johnson said a decision will be made Thursday, but suggested Brown will be put on the 15-day disabled list. Rookie right-hander Eric Gagne probably will be recalled from triple-A Albuquerque to take Brown’s spot on the 25-man roster.

As for Thursday’s game, it appears Carlos Perez might get a reprieve. The left-hander was technically optioned Friday to Albuquerque to make room for outfielder Geronimo Berroa.

However, Perez has remained with the club because of Brown’s situation. He might start Thursday and then join the Dukes.

Also, rookie left-hander Jeff Williams has joined the club to take reliever Gregg Olson’s spot on the roster. Olson will go on the 15-day disabled list today because of a pinched nerve in his right forearm.

*

Outfielder Gary Sheffield said his sprained right ankle felt better, but he’s uncertain about playing today. Sheffield struggled while running in the outfield during the workout.

ON DECK

* Opponent--San Francisco Giants, three games.

* Site--Pac Bell Park.

* Today--1 p.m.

* TV--Channel 5 Tuesday and Thursday, Fox Sports Net 2 on Wednesday.

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

* Records--Dodgers 3-3, Giants 3-4.

* 1999 record vs. Giants--8-5.

TODAY

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK

(1-0, 4.50 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’ KIRK RUETER

(0-0, 12.27 ERA)

* Update--Johnson shuffled the rotation after Sunday’s game against the Mets was postponed until April 24 because of a snow storm. Park was scheduled to start in the final game of the series against the Mets.

* Wednesday, 7 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (0-1, 3.60) vs. Joe Nathan (0-0, 1.29).

* Thursday, 7 p.m.--Carlos Perez (0-1, 9.64) vs. Mark Gardner (1-0, 2.57).