Maybe Dreifort Story Doesn’t Feel That Good

In the mawkish style that is his trademark, Bill Plaschke writes that the decision to return Darren Dreifort to the Dodgers’ starting rotation is “inspirational,” the team’s “feel-good tale of the season.” He draws a parallel to pitching coach Jim Colborn’s story about Steve Busby, whose comeback from serious injury turned his teammates into emotional, teary-eyed cheerleaders.

What Plaschke didn’t write about was Andy Ashby’s contract, the one that will force the Dodgers to pay him $8 million in 2004 if he pitches 168 innings in 2003.

Yes, Dreifort has outpitched Ashby this spring. But even if Ashby were throwing like Sandy Koufax and Dreifort like Sandy Duncan, the Dodgers are absolutely not going to let Ashby pitch 168 innings this year. Plaschke took a dollars-and-sense story and spun a little melodramatic yarn. But then he has never been one to let the truth get in the way of a feel-good column.

Michael Hawkins

Woodland Hills