Three Coaches Are Latest Change on the Scorecard

The newest participants in the Dodgers’ seasonlong circus joined the team Thursday at Dodger Stadium, where the big news occurs off the field.

New Manager Glenn Hoffman and his players welcomed coaches Mickey Hatcher, Charlie Hough and John Shelby, who replaced Reggie Smith, Glenn Gregson and Mark Cresse, respectively, after Wednesday night’s 6-5 interleague victory over the Angels. Hatcher, Hough and Shelby are former Dodger players who were working in the organization’s minor league system.

They arrived without time to prepare and under difficult circumstances. Of course, that’s all the Dodgers have known this season.

But one couldn’t tell that things appear bleak by the happy talk from club officials, who spin firings much better than their team plays.

“We’re doing what I feel is best right now to get this team going,� Hoffman said. “I felt that changes were necessary to help the chemistry of the team, and we’ve made them and now we’re moving forward.

“The guys that we’ve brought in are all guys I’ve worked with, and I know what they will contribute to this team. It’s that simple.�

Hatcher replaced Smith as the team’s batting instructor. He was most recently the batting instructor at triple-A Albuquerque under Hoffman.

Hatcher is considered among the funniest guys in baseball, and his presence could help ease the tension in the clubhouse.

As well as the front office.

“The team has been going through some tough times lately with all the negative things out there, so hopefully John, Charlie and me can help bring some positive things with this change,� said Hatcher, who was among the inspirational leaders of the Dodgers’ 1988 World Series championship team.

“We all know what type of guy Glenn is and what he expects from you. He wants guys who are going to work hard and have a good time, and we can do that if we get the team going again. And I wouldn’t be here unless I believed that would happen.�

Hough pitched in the major leagues for 24 seasons, and he figures to command more respect from the Dodger pitchers than did Gregson, who was a first-year major league coach and career minor league pitcher.

The promotion of Shelby is somewhat surprising because he had been going backward in the system until Wednesday. Shelby managed the Dodgers’ double-A team at San Antonio in 1995 and ‘96, and then managed in Class A last season.

He was a batting instructor at Class A this season. Moreover, this is the first time the former outfielder has occupied the bullpen coach role.

Hoffman said Shelby will assist him in several areas, including working with the outfielders.

“Glenn evidently feels I can add something to the ballclub in a lot of different areas,� Shelby said. “Whatever Glenn needs me to do, he can count on me.�

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After Smith declined an offer to manage Albuquerque, San Antonio Manager Ron Roenicke was promoted to the position. Lance Parrish, a coach at San Antonio, is expected to succeed Roenicke as the Missions’ manager.

Cresse is considering an offer to manage the organization’s Class-A team at San Bernardino. Gregson has already agreed to be the Stampede’s pitching coach, interim General Manager Tom Lasorda said.