Hershiser Will Stay With Dodgers

SAN DIEGO —  Beginning a new career, veteran pitcher Orel Hershiser retired Thursday and remained with the Dodgers as a player-personnel consultant.

Hershiser, 41, announced his retirement in a hastily arranged conference call during the Dodgers’ 9-3 victory over the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium.

The 17-year veteran, released June 27 after rejoining the club as a free agent in December, wanted to reveal his plans at a Dodger Stadium news conference today.

However, the Dodgers moved quickly to announce Hershiser’s decision after word emerged the 204-game winner, who spent parts of 13 seasons with the club after being drafted in 1979, would end his career where it began. The right-hander was 1-5 with a 13.14 earned-run average in his final season.

Hershiser will observe the organization’s baseball operations while working under General Manager Kevin Malone for the rest of the season. He will tour the farm system, evaluate players and also assist Malone’s major league staff.

Hershiser will not have a title or official role. The Dodgers will determine Hershiser’s duties after the season, but it appears the 1988 National League Cy Young Award winner is being groomed for an on-field position.

Several teams expressed interest in Hershiser after he cleared waivers Friday, but not enough to persuade him to delay beginning his next career at Chavez Ravine.

“I’m not preparing for a specific job,” said Hershiser, who became emotional while thanking many longtime members of the club for their support in his career and especially this season. “This is just an informal apprenticeship for me to gather knowledge. [Chairman Bob Daly] has given me access to tour the different minor league franchises and get to know the organization, the scouts, the players and managers.

“I’m going to sit with Kevin and Mr. Daly, and in the press box with you guys, and just learn the other side of baseball from a different angle. But I don’t think you need to read anything into it as far as where this is going. I’m just a player who has retired and wants to stay in baseball; the Dodgers would like to stay close to that player. That’s what we’re doing.”

Malone worked hard to persuade Hershiser to retire with the Dodgers, whom he helped to an improbable 1988 World Series championship, and was instrumental in his off-field transition.

Malone, Daly and President Bob Graziano met with Hershiser on Wednesday to finalize the move. Malone is eager to receive Hershiser’s input, and said he will easily adapt to a new role.

“He brings a lot to the table, and he’s a quick study,” Malone said of Hershiser. “He’s a tremendous baseball man who will make a positive contribution in whatever area he works in.

“At this point, initially anyway, he’s going to concentrate on evaluating all the different levels of the minor leagues. He’s going to give me another opinion because he brings another good set of eyes and ears.”

Said Manager Davey Johnson: “Orel has a lot to offer. I’m tickled to death.”

The Dodgers, who will honor Hershiser with a pregame ceremony soon, owe him about $1.5 million under the remainder of his contract because they released him. He will not receive a consulting salary.

Daly believes Hershiser has a bright future in management.

“He’s just another brain for the rest of us to pick,” said Daly, who was upset that a Dodger official told reporters of Hershiser’s retirement. “The most important thing about running any successful company or team is to pick the smartest people, and have the smartest people around you. Any time somebody of this nature is available, it’s good for the organization to use his skills.

“And on the other hand, since he has great potential of being anywhere he wants to be in baseball, in my opinion, I feel that hanging around [the club] also can help him grow in his new capacity.”

Hershiser ranks among the franchise’s all-time combined Brooklyn-Los Angeles pitching leaders. He’s 10th on the list with 135 victories--134 in his first tour before leaving as a free agent after the 1994 season.

Tom Lasorda, senior vice president, said the player he nicknamed “Bulldog” will continue helping the Dodgers win.

“Orel wore the Dodger uniform with tremendous pride, and he was a tremendous role model for the organization,” Lasorda said. “He had a wonderful career, and now it’s time for him to start looking in different directions.”