A Healthy Dose of Perspective

Aaron Sele set his alarm and made the trip because he was struck by the inspirational story of Maj. David Rozelle, who has run marathons and triathlons despite losing a leg during the Iraq war.

For Nomar Garciaparra, it was about giving back. For Andre Ethier, it was about gaining perspective.

The three players were part of a 15-person Dodgers contingent that visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Friday morning and spent several hours with wounded soldiers.

“Shaking hands, flesh to flesh, with guys who have given so much and whose lives are changed forever, it was an honor to meet them,” Ethier said.

Although his grandfather and four great-uncles served in World War II, Ethier, 24, said he hadn’t given the armed forces much thought.

“Three years ago I was watching from my dorm room at Arizona State when we were bombing Iraq,” he said. “But none of my friends are over there. It didn’t quite seem real.”

It was sobering for the players to meet soldiers who have lost limbs or had multiple surgeries.

“Some of them are younger than me, that was the shocking part,” Ethier said. “It was eye-opening. It puts in perspective where we are in life. Going 0 for 5 in the big leagues isn’t the worst thing that can happen. I’m playing for fun, and guys are sacrificing their lives there.”

The visit was initiated by an e-mail to the Dodgers website from a physician in response to the 30-year anniversary of Rick Monday’s famed flag-rescuing episode.

Monday’s wife contacted the doctor, Lt. Col. John Pitman, who met with the group Friday. Manager Grady Little, most of the coaches and several broadcasters went along with the three players.

“We were as excited to meet them as they were to meet us,” Sele said. “It was a pretty incredible experience.”

Garciaparra said he was touched but didn’t want to elaborate.

“I’d just rather keep that private,” he said. “But it was nice we went.”

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Eric Gagne retired the side in order in the ninth inning for triple-A Las Vegas, striking out two in his first appearance on a rehabilitation assignment. He is scheduled to make one more minor league appearance and rejoin the Dodgers on Thursday.... Cesar Izturis was hitless in four at-bats in his first extended spring game at Class-A Vero Beach.

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Pat Borders, 43, has retired. At long last. The catcher, who began his professional career before current Dodgers catchers Russell Martin and Dioner Navarro were born, decided to return to his home in Lake Wales, Fla., after less than two weeks at Las Vegas.

He had been promoted from Vero Beach despite batting only .181 with one home run. He wast one for 19 in six games with Las Vegas.

Borders, the 1992 World Series most valuable player with the Toronto Blue Jays, batted .253 with 69 homers in 17 major league seasons.