Daly Won’t Comment on Personnel Matters

Dodger Chairman Bob Daly, trying once again to quell talk about the futures of Manager Davey Johnson and General Manager Kevin Malone, said he would no longer comment on “personnel matters” until the season ends.

“The Dodgers are going to concentrate on the balance of this season,” Daly said. “We are not going to make any personnel changes, or have any more discussion on personnel changes, until we finish the season.

“We feel we have slim a chance at the wild card, and a chance to finish second [in the NL West]. We want everyone to be focused on that. And when the season is over, [team President] Bob [Graziano] and I and other people will sit down and make an evaluation on personnel, and that goes for everybody in our organization. That’s where we are, and I’m not saying anything more on this subject until after the season.”

During his 15-minute impromptu news conference, Daly said reports of Malone discussing the Dodger manager’s position with TV analyst Kevin Kennedy “were a distraction for the people who work here. As far as I know, it never happened. I know nothing about it. Kevin said it was something he didn’t do. I wasn’t in the room. Only two people know what’s true.”

He also said his own verbal efforts to pump up the Dodgers after the All-Star break may have backfired. “Anything I caused, I caused because I wanted to light a fire under everybody, including myself. If it backfired, I apologize to everybody for it. But it was done to motivate people to move a little faster, and get everything going.”

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Johnson shuffled the lineup Wednesday, putting rookie Hiram Bocachica at second base and playing Mark Grudzielanek at short for the first time this season. Grudzielanek was the starting shortstop last season, but was moved to second.

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Gary Sheffield continues to rehabilitate his bad back. Johnson said he hopes the left fielder can be available this weekend against San Diego.