Positive Tracy Is a Real Plus

Manager Jim Tracy held something of a self-affirmation session, but instead of talking into a mirror he addressed a group of reporters.

Despite recent woes, the Dodgers are good enough, strong enough and, by golly, these guys continue to believe in themselves and in one another.

“We talked all year about our family atmosphere, caring not just about ourselves but one another,” he said. “What we are going through now is what would happen in a family situation. Do you walk away from it and say I give up or do you do what it takes to fix it?

“I hate to say or do things that appear egotistical, but there have been a lot of positive things said by a lot of people in the clubhouse to get us to this point. I’m the most positive person in the world and these guys know that. There is no doom and gloom.”

Tracy rattled off some of the misfortune that, in his mind, would have crippled a team with less fortitude--the health problems that sidelined third baseman Adrian Beltre for nearly the first two months of the season; first baseman Eric Karros staying in the lineup despite a back injury; second baseman Mark Grudzielanek’s thumb injury.

“What I am getting at is, look at the Diamondbacks, they have a guy [Luis Gonzalez] with 43 home runs,” Tracy said. “Look at the Giants. Barry Bonds is having a pretty decent year. We’ve got guys capable of getting hot and doing damage too.

“But when three or four guys in the lineup are searching all at one time, you sputter.”

How have the Dodgers remained afloat in the face of adversity? Tracy continued to count the ways.

“Three-fifths of our starting rotation is out with injuries, it doesn’t add up to [62-49],” he said.

“There is more to our baseball team than statistics. If numbers strictly win, we lose. Our numbers don’t add up.”

In keeping with Tracy’s positive spin, the offense can be compared to that of the 1988 Dodgers, who won the World Series despite batting .248. Of course, the team earned-run average that year was 2.96.

“I really feel like the best of us offensively is yet to happen,” Tracy said.

Beltre’s two-run single in the first inning of the Dodgers’ 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday was merely a ground ball up the middle that barely eluded shortstop Ricky Gutierrez.

But it’s one of the few positive signs for Beltre this season.

The 21-year-old said he has felt 100% physically for only the last three weeks. Beltre underwent surgery March 12 to close a draining wound in his right lower abdomen that resulted from a ruptured appendix that was operated on in the Dominican Republic in January.

Although his defense has been solid, he is batting only .249.

“It’s been tough, but it’s behind me,” he said. “I finally feel relaxed and comfortable at the plate.”

Beltre is encouraged by his strong second half in 2000.

“The fact I haven’t been doing my job bothered me,” he said. “Maybe that hit is a good sign. Maybe I’ll start hitting like I did last year in August.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ ERIC GAGNE

(4-4, 4.99 ERA)

vs.

CUBS’ JON LIEBER

(14-5, 3.46 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 5 p.m.

TV--ESPN2.

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

Update--Gagne has won his last three decisions to match a career high and has pitched consistently well since being recalled from triple-A Las Vegas July 4. Gagne, 25, equaled a career high by pitching eight innings in his last start, a 3-1, 11-inning loss to the Cincinnati Reds July 31. He is making his second start of the season against the Cubs. He gave up only an infield hit to Eric Young and one unearned run in seven innings in the Dodgers’ 3-2 loss May 6. He did not get a decision. Lieber is tied with Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson for second in the National League in victories, trailing only Curt Schilling.