Tracy’s Story Is No Longer Novel

Dodger Manager Jim Tracy reveled in his first All-Star game experience as a member of the National League coaching staff, saying it was even better than he could have imagined.

And Tracy, credited with reestablishing the club’s focus after years of turmoil, said he was especially pleased because his peers believe the Dodgers are finally back on track.

“I’m proud to represent the Dodgers, and I’m proud to represent the team that we’re putting on the field right now,” he said. “But you know what’s really special? You really get a sense for the fact that there’s a genuine respect out there for our club.

“Early on, I think they thought it was a very novel situation. Now, they’ve come to grips with the fact that we’re 90 games in here. This isn’t an accident anymore. We’re a good club.”

The Dodgers lead the NL West by 2 1/2 games and open the second half with a four-game series against the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Tracy is eager to get back to business.

“The other day, I was telling my wife [Debra] that I am having so much fun with this, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to be here, but I really miss my guys,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back in the dugout. They are such a special bunch.”

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Dodger General Manager Dan Evans continued trade discussions while in Milwaukee.

Evans hopes to provide Tracy with bench and bullpen help, and there’s a slim chance a bigger deal for New York Met second baseman Roberto Alomar, a future Hall of Famer, could materialize. Texas Ranger infielder Frank Catalanotto and reliever Todd Jones of the Colorado Rockies are on the Dodgers’ list.

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Left fielder Garret Anderson and Manager Mike Scioscia, serving as a coach, were the only Angels on the American League squad, despite the club’s strong first-half performance in the West.

The second-place Angels trail the Seattle Mariners by three games, but Anderson is not surprised several of his teammates were overlooked.

“It’s disappointing, but it’s not an indication of what we’ve done this year as a team,” he said. “There’s always going to be some people who get left off the roster, and I’ve been part of that for a few years. This year, I was fortunate enough to put up numbers across the board, which gave me a great chance to be a reserve.”

Anderson believes playing on the West Coast is a factor in All-Star selections.

“You just don’t have the same exposure,” he said. “You watch ESPN and national TV stations, you see a lot of what happens on the East Coast because that’s where those stations are based.

“We just go unnoticed because of lack of exposure. There are a lot of guys on the West Coast who are putting up the same numbers, if not better numbers, than guys on the East Coast.”

Said Scioscia: “There’s definitely more than one All-Star on our club. We know that for sure.”

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Rick Down, the New York Yankee batting instructor, was runner-up for the job Tracy got in 2000. Down, the Dodger hitting coach for two seasons under Davey Johnson, left the organization after Tracy was hired, joining the Boston Red Sox in 2001 and the Yankees this season.

Down said he is pleased for Tracy, whom he spoke with before the game, and is not surprised by the Dodgers’ success. And he is not bitter about finishing second to Tracy, believing things usually work out for the best.

“It was close; it probably came down to Jimmy and myself,” he said. “But there’s no reason for me to want anything but the best for that organization. There are still a lot of people I talk with there.”

Down, who still hopes to manage, said Tracy’s performance could open doors for others without previous managerial experience.

“He’s done a great job and I’m happy for him,” he said. “If the opportunity comes, great. If it doesn’t, I’m in a great situation where I’m at now.”

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Dodger right fielder Shawn Green, participating in his second All-Star game, said few probably expected him to be here earlier this season.

Green was in long slump and criticized for everything from his defensive positioning to laid-back demeanor. But he stayed the course, which led him to Miller Park as a reserve.

“I know how this game works,” he said. “I understand that when you’re doing well, everyone wants to be right there around you. When you’re struggling, everyone wants to write you off. My teammates, coaches, friends and family have always been right there.

“I can understand why people were upset when I was struggling. But I really don’t pay attention to how people react to how I play. If you do, you’ll just go crazy. It would be foolish of me to expect more from people, and I’m not going to apologize when I’m doing the best I can.”