Beltre Is Cheered by Fans’ Response to Controversy

After a controversy-filled off-season, Adrian Beltre admitted Saturday that he was a bit nervous about player introductions at Dodger Stadium.

Beltre, who was signed illegally at 15 by the Dodgers in his native Dominican Republic, spent much of the winter trying to become a free agent and/or get a raise from the Dodgers in light of the signing fiasco.

“The fans were great during spring training [in Florida] and on the road, but I was still waiting for opening day here in L.A. to see what would happen,” Beltre said. “I feel great now because that was one of my preoccupations before the season--to see the reaction of the fans.”

Beltre, who turned 21 on April 7, was greeted with cheers Friday and Saturday.

“It’s wonderful,” the Dodger third baseman said. “I was expecting maybe one or two boos. I heard a few for Carlos [Perez, the Dodgers’ enigmatic left-handed pitcher], though.”

Beltre signed a three-year, $5.05-million contract on March 23 during spring training, effectively ending the controversy.

“I want to play here for a long time and now I know the fans like me, so it should be easier,” he said.

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It took Shawn Green only two home games to go Hollywood.

The Dodgers’ new right fielder, who grew up in Tustin, got his first taste of being a star in Tinseltown during batting practice Saturday when he was filmed for the opening montage spot on the HBO series “Arli$$”.

Green was taped with series star Robert Wuhl, who portrays a greedy sports agent amid real athletes in the cable sitcom.

“Yeah, I guess it will take a little getting used to, all the Hollywood stuff that goes on around here, but it was fun,” Green said. “In Toronto, they filmed a lot of movies up there because it’s a little cheaper and they can make it look like a lot of different cities. So we’d have (actors) coming around here and there but nothing like this.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (2-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. REDS’ STEVE PARRIS (0-2, 10.00 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 1 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--After a less-than-impressive spring training, going 0-3 with a 7.43 ERA in six Grapefuit League appearances, Park has been steadier in the early going of the regular season. He is 2-2 with a 3.95 ERA lifetime against the Reds. Parris, meanwhile, is 1-2 with a 2.66 ERA in his career against the Dodgers.