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'I'm motivated' Green wears Dodger Blue for first time in winter workout
Posted: Monday January 10, 2000 08:18 PM
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Wearing Dodger Blue for the first time, right fielder Shawn Green certainly didn't look like an $84 million player. Of course, the 2000 season is nearly three months away. "Popping some balls up, taking some ugly swings, that's what it's all about in January," Green said with a smile after taking batting practice Monday at Dedeaux Field on the USC campus. Green and 13 teammates along with some 30 minor leaguers participated in the Dodgers' first voluntary winter workout under blue skies with temperatures in the high 60s. Dodger Stadium is unavailable because of a $50 million renovation project. "It feels great to be here," said Green, acquired with a minor league infielder from Toronto on Nov. 8 for outfielder Raul Mondesi and reliever Pedro Borbon. "I feel like this is right for me, I think it's going to work out well." Green, 27, who grew up in nearby Orange County, became baseball's second-highest player upon signing an $84 million, six-year contract with the Dodgers. He figures to provide his new team with the left-handed power it has sorely lacked. "Picking up Shawn gives us more balance in the lineup, which we had to have," Dodgers manager Davey Johnson said. Green believes the Dodgers' disappointing season can only help this year. "In a way, that's a good thing, a lot of guys are excited to get going," he said. "And it's good for me. Even though I had a good season last year, it's a new situation. I'm motivated." Green had more than just a good season, hitting .309 with 42 homers, 134 runs scored, 123 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. And he won his first Gold Glove. "I understand people are going to criticize me when things aren't going well," he said. "I don't read the newspapers, I don't watch the news. The only thing I look at is the crossword puzzle. I don't need to read about the games, I was there." General manager Kevin Malone said Green is the type of player he's trying to acquire for the Dodgers. "He works so hard, he respects the game," Malone said. "You can tell who respects it and who doesn't." Hired in September 1998, Malone didn't attempt to hide his high expectations early last year, even speculating about a possible Kevin Brown-Roger Clemens matchup in the World Series opener. It didn't come close to turning out that way; the Dodgers were 77-85 and fell out of contention in the NL West midway through the season. "I don't think the expectations are as high this year," Malone said. "We're just trying to be better." Johnson realizes there are several question marks on the team, one at second base, where Eric Young played last season. Young and starter Ismael Valdes were traded to the Chicago Cubs last month for reliever Terry Adams and two minor leaguers. "I'm going to look into Mark Grudzielanek playing second base," Johnson said. "We're definitely heading in that direction." That would mean unless there's an acquisition, shortstop would be handled by Jose Vizcaino, Alex Cora or Juan Castro. "You want to improve your athleticism up the middle," Johnson said. Grudzielanek said he'd prefer to stay where he is, but would make the move if asked. "I don't think it will be a problem for me," said Grudzielanek, who hit a career-high .326 last year. "It wouldn't be the end of the world. Davey's paid to make those decisions." When such a possibility was posed last season, Grudzielanek balked. "They never came to me, you guys asked me first," he told reporters. "It felt like a demotion. As hard as I worked, I was a little irritated. If they feel strongly about it, I have no problem with it. I want to win. It was embarrassing for myself and the team last year." Other players attending the workout were newcomers Orel Hershiser, F.P. Santangelo and Gregg Olson, and holdovers Gary Sheffield, Devon White, Eric Karros, Todd Hundley, Chan Ho Park, Dave Hansen, Mike Judd, Paul LaDuca and Vizcaino.
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