Stabilizer

Dave Wallace would rather be teaching, but the Dodgers are in trouble again and need his help.

Someone had to run the baseball operations after former general manager Kevin Malone was forced to resign Thursday, so Chairman Bob Daly appointed the club’s most respected baseball executive.

Wallace, a special assistant in charge of the farm system, accepted the position on an interim basis, and is eager to help President Bob Graziano find a permanent successor so he can return to working in the background.

The former pitching coach does not crave the spotlight as his predecessor did, and that is one of the reasons the Dodgers chose Wallace to help stop the laughter.

“Dave Wallace is the ideal candidate for this transition period because he has knowledge of the history of the Dodgers, the system itself and the players within the organization,” said Derrick Hall, senior vice president.

“Dave has built strong relationships internally and throughout baseball in his career. He has a tremendous reputation due to the respect that he has earned because of his honesty, proven track record and work ethic.”

Wallace, 53, quickly rolled up his sleeves Friday at Dodger Stadium after traveling from his home in Norfolk, Mass., meeting with Manager Jim Tracy to assess the roster and Graziano to lay the groundwork for the search process, scheduled to begin next week.

He said the whirlwind day was just what he needed.

“It’s comforting, more than anything, to just physically be here because doing stuff over the phone . . . I’m a hands-on person,” said Wallace, who plans to remain in Los Angeles through the current nine-game homestand and accompany the team on its next trip.

“One day isn’t enough [to get adjusted], and I don’t know how much time it’s going to take. But it’s always nice to spend a few days to just settle in. Then you just trust your instincts and go from there.”

His instincts tell him the Dodgers must reestablish their focus after 2 1/2 years of turmoil under Malone.

Wallace does not plan to suggest radical player or staff changes during what is expected to his brief tenure at the club’s helm.

“There are things that are going to be done and we’re going to do it as a group,” he said. “I’m one of many people here who are going to contribute to what we’re doing, and I believe in being prepared and doing things at the right time.”

Steve Phillips, general manager of the New York Mets, is familiar with Wallace’s steady approach.

Phillips, who hired Wallace from the Dodgers after the 1997 season, is not surprised the club turned to his onetime senior advisor in its latest tumultuous situation.

“Dave Wallace is a stabilizer,” Phillips said. “He brings comfort and tranquillity to rough waters.

“The Dodgers are fortunate to have Dave in a position like that with the situation. He’ll be able to help things settle down a little bit so the process can be completed.”

Wallace is expected to take an active role in selecting the next general manager because the Dodgers need a proven baseball man, and it takes one to know one.

“Dave’s patience is great, he’s bright and innovative,” said Dodger Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax, one of Wallace’s closest friends. “Dave has been around a lot of knowledgeable people through the years, and he has learned from everybody he has been around.

“He had a lot to offer himself without that, but he hasn’t been too stubborn to take what is right from other people. It’s just hard to describe. He’s just good. He’s bright, he’s a good guy and he never stops learning because he works at it. He works hard at his job whatever he is doing.”

Wallace enjoys working with people as committed to excellence, which was one of the reasons he left the Dodgers after 17 years, having served as pitching coach from 1995-97, to join Phillips’ staff.

While with the Mets, Wallace developed a good relationship with Jim Duquette, the club’s senior assistant general manager in charge of player personnel.

John Hart, general manager of the Cleveland Indians, is the Dodgers’ top candidate, baseball sources said, but Duquette is expected to be on the list.

Duquette, whose cousin, Dan, is the general manager of the Boston Red Sox, is considered to have done a good job in player development, and Wallace believes the Dodgers must continue their recent efforts to rebuild the farm system.

“I believe in depth,” he said. “These days more than ever, you’ve got to have a strong base in the minor leagues, so you have to have depth to choose from. If you have five prospects you figure are going to be really good, be impact major league players, the reality is maybe two of them are, for whatever reason.

“You have to strive to develop young players, especially young pitchers. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that good pitching is the backbone of most good teams, and you strengthen your whole organization when you do that.”

Wallace has assignments to complete before he can refocus on the farm system, but the kids are still on his mind.

“There’s a special place in my heart for this organization, and I’m going to do whatever I can to help,” he said. “But the thing that still excites me most, that interests me most, is taking that bright young kid with the great arm and helping him get off on the right foot.

“That’s where it all starts. That’s what I enjoy. To get me to change my mind and [remain the general manager] . . . I don’t see that happening.”