An Uneasy Return

By JASON REID

Sept. 17, 2001 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Baseball is back, though some major leaguers are uncomfortable about playing for the first time since Tuesday’s terrorist attacks.

The Dodgers are among players who have expressed concerns about the resumption of the schedule less than a week after the tragic events at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, questioning whether the timing is appropriate.

Then again, they said it would be difficult to restart at any point because of what has occurred.

The Dodgers tonight begin a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium, continuing intense races for the National League West championship and wild-card berth.

The third-place Dodgers (78-65) are three games behind the leading Arizona Diamondbacks (81-62) in the division, and 11/2 games behind the second-place San Francisco Giants (80-64) in the wild-card standings.

The Dodgers’ 19-game sprint to the finish has been extended a week under the revised schedule, and they have a lot at stake in trying to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1996.

It’s only baseball, but the Dodgers are back on the clock and have a job to do.

“We worked hard to stay in this thing [the playoff races], and the guys in [the clubhouse] have too much pride to just throw it all away,” second baseman Mark Grudzielanek said. “Once we get back out there, we’ve got to try to concentrate, try to deal with our own feelings about this and act in a manner of being professionals.

“What it all comes down to is that we have to focus on what we’re doing on the field, and we have to get back into the job we were doing before our nation went through this tragedy. But it’s going to be hard, and a lot of guys feel that way. You’re just not sure what’s the right thing to do at a time like this. You just don’t know.”

The Dodgers do know that a slow start could quickly end their playoff hopes.

They were supposed to play 10 of their final 13 games at Chavez Ravine, finishing with three games against the Diamondbacks on Sept. 28-30 at Bank One Ballpark, but now face a longer road because of the postponements.

After a 10-game home stand against the Padres, Diamondbacks and Giants, the Dodgers end the season with a nine-game, 10-day trip that includes series against the Padres and Giants that were postponed.

The Dodgers are off Oct. 1, then complete their schedule in games that might help determine the division champion and wild-card winner.

The Dodgers worked out Thursday, Saturday and Sunday in preparation for the final homestand, but acknowledged it might take more time to refocus on the races.

“I don’t think anyone is refocused yet,” reliever Matt Herges said. “At practice, it was still kind of somber. We just wanted to stay halfway sharp. Until we start playing again [today], I don’t think anybody’s going to be ready.

“I’m not even sure everyone’s heart will be in it like it was before this happened. Sure, we’re in a pennant race, and these are some huge games coming up, but this puts things into perspective. Baseball is not big enough to overshadow something like this happening to our country.”

Although the elongated schedule seemingly makes things harder for the Dodgers, some players believe they might benefit from the break.

Kevin Brown, who starts tonight against the Padres, has a torn muscle on his pitching elbow and time off helps.

Likewise for starters James Baldwin and Chan Ho Park, who were pounded while working on short rest in the previous series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

“I think this time away help us,” all-star closer Jeff Shaw said. “It gives some of our guys, a Kevin Brown and a James Baldwin, time to rest mentally and physically. It gives them time to get back into it again.”

Manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn have backed off a four-man rotation after Baldwin and Park flopped in the initial tests.

Brown will pitch on three days’ rest against the Diamondbacks after the series against the Padres, but the other starters are in their usual alignment again.

The Dodgers might return to a four-man rotation if a playoff berth is within reach in the final week of the regular season.

“We are in a position where we can win,” Tracy said. “Coming back, there is something for us to reach out for.”

Shaw believes the Dodgers will get back to business after the first pitch.

“I don’t think it’s going to be difficult at all,” he said. “This week we’ve gotten away from it, understandably, because we had our attention focused on some other things nationally.

“It’s always a grind in August and September, and now we’ve had a little break. But we’re in a pennant race, and I think everyone will be focused on the game and getting after it again.”

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Today’s Games

NATIONAL LEAGUE * Florida (Dempster 15-11)

at Montreal (Vazquez 16-11),

4 p.m.

* Atlanta (Maddux 17-8)

at Philadelphia (Person 14-6),

4 p.m.

* N.Y. Mets (Leiter 11-10)

at Pittsburgh (Ritchie 11-12),

4:15 p.m.

* Milwaukee (Quevedo 4-2)