SOS / SINK OR SWIM

The Dodgers dislike being described as underachievers and the laughingstock of the major leagues.

The labels apply, the Dodgers simply wish it weren’t so.

But such is life for the last-place team with the big-time payroll and expectations to match. The Dodgers experienced a worst-case scenario during the first half, playing even more poorly than their harshest critics could have imagined. Or hoped.

On June 27, the Dodgers moved into the National League West basement. Of course, they didn’t arrive there overnight.

It took months for the Dodgers (39-47) to hit rock bottom, though they made steady progress. In the process, the struggling team caused more headaches for decision-makers at Chavez Ravine, who eagerly hoped for better reviews during their second season with Fox.

So much for an $80-million make-over.

However, the Dodgers begin the second half encouraged because they won four in a row before the all-star break. They overwhelmed the high-powered Seattle Mariners in their final series, and punctuated the three-game sweep with a 14-3, brawl-highlighted victory in their last game that stirred talk of team unity and optimism.

The Dodgers have a long climb ahead, and they’re realistic about their task. At least they can’t drop any lower, right?

“Well, we can’t go any lower in the standings because we don’t have anybody behind us,� said left fielder Gary Sheffield, the team’s lone representative in the All-Star game. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t [play worse], because you’ve got to be honest about how we’ve looked at times.

“When you’re this many games back [10, behind the division-leading San Francisco Giants], behind so many teams [four], it’s going to be real hard. That’s just the truth. But when you see how we played this past weekend [against the Mariners], it shows we still have the talent on this team to accomplish something. We just have to keep that going, and that’s been a problem for us.�

Many have noticed, including perplexed team officials.

“We expected a lot and we just haven’t gotten it done,� General Manager Kevin Malone said. “When you look at this team, when you look at the individuals, we know we’re capable of playing a lot better than we have.

“Are we frustrated and disappointed? Yes. But we still believe that this team has the ability to get the job done. I might be crazy, but I still believe in this team.�

Malone has been ridiculed in the industry because of the team’s performance, and his off-season comments about many subjects, among them the Dodgers’ supposed return to glory under the new regime. San Diego Padre General Manager Kevin Towers refuses to speak with his counterpart because of Malone’s tongue-in-cheek observations about the rebuilding Padres.

The troubling on- and off-field situations have sparked speculation that Malone might be on the hot seat in his first full season on the job. He’s not, his boss said.

“When I made the changes on the baseball-operations side of the organization last year, it was something that I did to strengthen the organization for the long term,� Dodger President Bob Graziano said. “Never would I try to evaluate their performance over a three-month period. It’s impossible to do that. I am still extremely confident that I’ve got the right people in place for the long term.

“I continue to be impressed by their level of knowledge and their level of dedication. I have an extremely strong and dedicated general manager, and an extremely strong, proven and dedicated manager [Davey Johnson]. They are working tirelessly to make sure that they bring Los Angeles a championship team in the not-too-distant future.�

For now, though, the Dodgers are focusing on .500.

BIGGEST FIRST-HALF SURPRISE

A) The impressive comeback of pitcher Pedro Borbon.

B) The consistent performance of young third baseman Adrian Beltre.

C) The leadership role Sheffield has assumed.

Answer: C.

Borbon’s performance is among the biggest success stories in baseball this season. The left-handed reliever did not pitch in the big leagues in 1997-98 while recovering from reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow.

Borbon, a nonroster player, made the ballclub out of spring training. He has been a rock in the bullpen, going 2-1 with a 1.64 earned-run average in 39 appearances. And Borbon is admired in the clubhouse for his heart.

The 21-year-old Beltre has rewarded team officials for their belief in him. Beltre is considered among the rising stars in the game, and is ahead of schedule.

Sheffield’s behavior, though, has been the most-welcomed development. To the surprise of his critics, Sheffield has embraced his status as a key veteran on the team, counseling younger players such as Beltre.

Sheffield has tried to protect struggling right fielder Raul Mondesi, telling team officials to leave Mondesi alone during his difficult time. On the field, Sheffield has been the Dodgers’ most consistent everyday player.

BIGGEST FIRST-HALF DISAPPOINTMENT

A) The unproductive offense.

B) The horrible performance of pitcher Carlos Perez.

C) The horrible performance of pitcher Chan Ho Park.

D) All of the above.

Answer: D.

The Dodgers are near the bottom in the league in most offensive categories. Obviously, much more was expected.

Malone wouldn’t have rewarded Perez with a three-year, $15.6-million contract in the off-season had he known he would go 2-9 with a 6.95 ERA in the first half. The soft-tossing left-hander has basically thrown batting practice during games.

Park has been only slightly better than Perez statistically, going 5-7 with a 6.52 ERA. But bigger things were expected from Park than Perez.

The No. 2 starter needs to forget about his contract situation, clear his mind and throw his 96-mph fastball with authority again.

DEFINING MOMENT

Being swept by the Padres in a three-game series (June 29-July 1) at Qualcomm Stadium.

The Dodgers moved into last place in the division on the eve of that series, then the Padres kicked them around. The Dodgers went 8-17 in June--among the worst months in Los Angeles franchise history.

The Padres are 8-1 this season against their division and Southland rivals, and have won seven in a row. Winning the lottery wouldn’t please Towers more.

AT THIS PACE

Mondesi won’t hit another home run this season.

He has been in an incredible slump, looking awful at the plate since the end of May. Mondesi has only one home run in June and July combined after hitting 18 in the first two months of the season and has failed to homer in his last 102 at-bats.

REASONS TO BE EXCITED

Pitchers Kevin Brown and Ismael Valdes give the Dodgers a chance to win when they’re on the mound. First baseman Eric Karros is putting up big numbers again after another typically slow start, and Sheffield is a force.

REASONS TO BE CONCERNED

Mondesi’s power outage is a major problem. Will Park get his head together? Will Perez rediscover his fastball? Or something similar?

MOVES TO PONDER

Graziano and Malone don’t want to tear the team apart. They won’t have to if everyone plays up to their salaries.

SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER

If Mondesi and Park rebound, and no one else goes in the tank, the Dodgers can get back in the race because the division is weak. Then again, that might be asking too much from this disappointing bunch.

FIRST-HALF RECAP

Where the Dodgers rank among the 16 NL teams in hitting and pitching:

Record: 39-47, .453 (14th)

Batting average: .263 (12th)

ERA: 4.58 (10th)

Runs per game: 4.52 (13th)

Home runs: 95 (9th)

HR allowed: 116 (4th most)

Starters’ ERA: 4.95 (10th)

Bullpen ERA: 3.82 (7th)