Clark’s Accident Is Cited

Some of Jack Clark’s friends believe the former Dodger hitting coach returned to his duties too soon after a March 30 motorcycle accident.

“I just think the impact of that injury, on him and has ability early on, has been underestimated,” pitching coach Jim Colborn said. “Maybe in retrospect, it would have been better to make sure he was strong before he came back.

“At the time, we wanted him back so bad we would take whatever he had, and he probably pushed the envelope too. I know there were times when he wasn’t even 50%, and he was out there on the bench.

“He had to leave at least one game early. He was weak in the beginning. His heart was willing, but his body wasn’t.”

Clark, who was fired Sunday night, didn’t have medical clearance to travel with the team until May 23.

Meanwhile, Manager Jim Tracy became the first to acknowledge Clark was fired as much for his candid comments about the team as its ineptitude on offense.

General Manager Dan Evans and other high-ranking Dodger executives were said to be furious at Clark for his comments, quoted in newspapers, about the team’s problems on offense and in the clubhouse.

“There was some obvious strong criticism that was rendered that definitely forced hands,” Tracy said. “Beyond that, I doubt that there would have been a change made, had it not gotten to the point where the criticism became so strong. To me, then it got to the point where it appeared like it would become an inevitable situation.”

Clark on Monday referred to other situations that could continue to hamper the team.

“There are just a lot of things going on, a lot of issues there,” he said. “I was the first one to say that if I wasn’t doing the job, then they should get someone else in there.

“We didn’t hit, I know that, but there are other reasons that went into [the team’s problems]. All I’m saying that if everything was done for the right reasons, and firing me would help the guys, then fine.”

In firing Clark, Evans backtracked on strong comments he made to the coaching staff in a closed-door meeting in late June at Edison Field, saying there would be no in-season changes.

Has Evans’ change of direction affected the staff’s perception of him?

“You take in the context of everything you know about the guy,” Colborn said, “then you make your judgments that way.”

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George Hendrick, promoted from triple A to serve as Clark’s interim replacement, declined to speak with reporters.

A four-time All-Star in an 18-year career, Hendrick stopped speaking with reporters in 1973, his third season in the major leagues, while playing for the Cleveland Indians.

In a story in the May 2 editions of the Las Vegas Sun, Hendrick said his decision stemmed from comments attributed to him about teammate Lloyd Allen, a pitcher, in a newspaper story.

His quotes, he said, came out disparaging and misrepresented what he meant. Journalistic liberties were taken, he said, and he was asked about the quotes in many other cities, where he had to defend himself.

“I said something,” Hendrick said, “and had to apologize to the entire league.”

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First baseman Fred McGriff (sprained right knee ligament) ran in the outfield and plans to continue his rehabilitation program today, Tracy said. McGriff hasn’t played since July 4, and there is still no timetable for his return.... Right-hander Kazuhisa Ishii (sprained left knee ligament) will continue throwing while on the disabled list.