BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hamilton’s Last Chance at Third

Jeff Hamilton was so excited about flying here to Vero Beach, Fla., and beginning spring training last week, he left his batting and fielding gloves 1,000 miles away--on the top shelf of the closet at his home in Flint, Mich.

When the Dodgers saw that he was in good shape and his left knee felt strong, that excitement was shared.

“Jeff Hamilton is going to have to come in here and take that third-base job, nothing is going to be given him,� said Fred Claire, Dodger vice president. “But if he does . . . “

The implications are clear. With Hamilton at third base, Lenny Harris and Mike Sharperson could move to second base and allow the Dodgers to trade Juan Samuel. Hamilton’s presence could also give the Dodgers one more badly needed right-handed bat.

Hamilton, who is being given his last chance after two injury-filled seasons, said he is no longer bothered by last year’s knee injury (torn ligament) after spending the winter rehabilitating with weights in his basement.

His increased mobility has been evident in fielding drills. And he raised eyebrows Sunday with four long home runs in a span of 10 batting practice pitches, including one home run that bounced off a light pole more than 400 feet from home plate at Holman Stadium.

“I feel no pain now--as long as the knee stays that way, I’ll be great,� Hamilton said. “I’ve decided I’ve been here a long time--nine years--and I don’t want to leave if I don’t have to.�

Darryl Strawberry arrived in camp three days early, and promptly began getting in shape by signing 30 minutes worth of autographs.

Strawberry then retired to the weight room, where he will be confined until Wednesday, when position players can officially begin workouts.

“I wanted to get here early like always and start thinking about playing some ball,� Strawberry said. “Last year, being my first year, it was chaos here. This year I want everything to go smooth.�

Strawberry said he is so relaxed, he is prepared to move his game to a higher level.

“I’m ready to start putting up some Hall of Fame type numbers --get those in four more years so I can retire,� Strawberry said, laughing. “I’m telling you, you never know.�

Ramon Martinez is expected to report today, four days after the first workout. Sources say he is late because he pitched four innings for the Dodgers’ Campos Las Palmas academy in the Dominican Republic Thursday, and wanted a couple of days’ rest before resuming his workouts. . . . The Dodgers have ordered fans at Holman Stadium to return foul balls that land in the stands during batting practice.