Mondesi Talks Blue Streak

MONTREAL â€”  Forcing the issue and probably forcing the Dodgers’ hand, disgruntled right fielder Raul Mondesi on Wednesday demanded to be traded while blasting Manager Davey Johnson and General Manager Kevin Malone in a profanity-laced tirade.

Mondesi stunned unsuspecting team officials with the intense outburst before the Dodgers’ 9-7 come-from-behind victory over the Expos at Olympic Stadium, saying he was no longer willing to play for “[expletive] Davey and [expletive] Malone.� And Mondesi stressed that Malone had better move him soon, because he no longer considers himself a Dodger.

“I’m tired of all this,� said Mondesi, who hit into a fielder’s choice while pinch-hitting in the eighth inning then played defensively. “I told my agent to get me the [expletive] out of here as soon as possible. I can’t take this anymore. I’ve had to deal with this all year. I told them to trade me because I don’t want to [expletive] be here.

“[Expletive] Davey and [expletive] Malone, they try to put all of our problems on me. They’re trying to say that all this [expletive] is my fault. That’s the way they feel, fine. Just get me out of here. [Expletive] Davey. [Expletive] Malone. [Expletive] both of them.�

Mondesi’s comments top a long list of problems he has created for Malone this season. Now, Malone might be forced to trade Mondesi, which he has been against, because of the constant turmoil he has stirred.

Mondesi, 28, is a five-tool player. He was the 1994 National League rookie of the year, and he has won two Gold Glove awards. In 1997, Mondesi became the only player in franchise history to hit at least 30 home runs with at least 30 stolen bases during a single season.

However, teams typically are not eager to acquire a player who has publicly bashed his organization and has been a disciplinary problem. Mondesi’s big contract also might scare off some teams.

Mondesi is making $8.5 million this season. He is owed $9.5 million and $11 million, respectively, under the final two guaranteed years of his contract.

Malone did not accompany the Dodgers on the trip. When informed of Mondesi’s comments, the player-personnel boss expressed disappointment.

And although Malone declined to comment on Mondesi’s future with the ballclub, he intimated that enough is enough.

“There have been a lot of things that have happened with Raul this season, and we’ve tried to be supportive and help him through them,� Malone said. “Everyone has worked very hard to help Raul, but we really don’t know what else to do at this point.

“We’re committed to bringing a winning team back to the fans of Los Angeles, and this isn’t about individuals. We need to make this into a team of 25 guys who are all on the same page trying to win. Anyone who isn’t on the same page isn’t going to be here. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions, and we’re prepared to do that.�

Jeff Moorad, Mondesi’s agent, was vacationing out of the state Wednesday. Moorad released a statement through his office.

“Raul and I have talked at length about his frustration,� the statement read. “It was our hope that these issues would not come to a head during the season. I’m sure the Dodgers will do what they believe is in the best interest of the organization during the off-season.�

Mondesi’s anger has been building throughout this difficult Dodger season because he has been frustrated by the team’s play, his subpar performance and the manner in which Johnson has handled him. Mondesi went 112 at-bats without a homer during one stretch after hitting 18 and leading the National League in the first two months of the season.

Mondesi has spoken out at other times this season, but Wednesday’s lengthy diatribe was unprecedented.

His oral attack on Johnson and Malone was triggered because Johnson prohibited Mondesi from starting during Tuesday’s 6-4 loss to the Expos. Mondesi arrived at the stadium only 10 minutes before the Dodgers were scheduled to stretch on the field, so Johnson told him to take the day off.

Angered, Mondesi had a closed-door meeting with Johnson and coach Manny Mota, Mondesi’s mentor and confidant, in which he told Johnson he wouldn’t play Wednesday unless he played Tuesday. Mondesi pinch-hit in the ninth inning Tuesday, but he was not in the starting lineup Wednesday.

Said Mota after Wednesday’s game: “Everything is going to be OK, in my opinion. I think Mondy just overreacted. That’s just an emotional reaction. Mondy’s an emotional player.�

When reporters questioned Mondesi about the consecutive days off, he went off on a tirade until Shaun Rachau, assistant media relations director, pulled him aside.

“Big deal, 10 minutes,� Mondesi said. “He don’t want to let me play because of that, then [expletive] Davey. What does he know? I play hard. If they don’t need me, then send me someplace where they do need me. [Expletive] them.�

Mondesi’s outburst was a slap in the face to Johnson, team sources said, because he has shielded Mondesi from criticism despite his many missteps. Mondesi has scoffed at team rules throughout the season, missing mandatory meetings, batting practice and frequently arriving late for games.

Johnson defended Mondesi when former manager Tommy Lasorda harshly criticized him publicly recently. Johnson only recently acknowledged that Mondesi has been fined more than previously believed for many undisclosed offenses, among them sitting in the visitors’ bullpen while the Dodgers were batting in a game against the Diamondbacks on July 23.

“I don’t know what he’s doing,� an exasperated Johnson said. “Evidently, Mondy wants this out there, but I don’t know why. I’ve probably tried to accommodate him more than anyone on the club.

“I respect Mondy and his ability, but we can’t have anyone taking away from the focus of the team. To me, there has to be more going on with him than him and me. I haven’t so much as raised my voice with him.�

The timing of Mondesi’s explosion was peculiar because he had played well while helping the Dodgers take three of four from the New York Mets. Mondesi hit two home runs in a 14-3 victory over the Mets on Sunday, and team officials hoped he was back on track.

“I’m just tired. I’ve just had enough,� Mondesi said. “I’m just tired of these guys. Davey and Malone. I’m just tired of them.�

Several of Mondesi’s teammates have counseled him this season. Pitcher Kevin Brown spoke with Mondesi on Wednesday after he spoke with reporters, trying to bring him back in the fold.

“At this point it’s got to be within himself to change this,� left fielder Gary Sheffield said. “Things are required of you in this game, whether you like it or not. We get paid a lot of money just to play baseball, and Mondy’s got to realize that Davey is the manager and Kevin is the GM. You just can’t have this. I’m sure there are millions of guys out there who would love to do what we’re doing.�

Center fielder Devon White tried to persuade Mondesi to keep his feelings to himself before he lashed out.

“I tried to talk to him,� White said. “I just tried to tell him that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. I’ve played in a lot of organizations, for a lot of different managers, and most places aren’t as good as this one.

“But Mondy has always been in this organization, and I’m sure they’ve pampered him a little. I don’t mean that as a knock on Mondy, I just mean he doesn’t know what it’s like out there.�

He might soon find out.