51s could reap benefits from changes in L.A.

Steve Addy

Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 | 10:10 a.m.

Once regarded as the best organization in baseball, the Dodgers began putting their house back in order this week.

The 51s think the retooling bodes well for their own future.

Disarray in L.A.'s front office trickled down to the 51s in their first season as the Dodgers' triple-A affiliate. But 51s president/GM Don Logan said Dan Evans' ascension to Dodgers GM on Wednesday was a good move for both clubs.

Evans, 41, served as the White Sox's assistant GM from 1988-00. He was hired by the Dodgers on May 31 as a senior advisor to interim GM Dave Wallace.

"I've known Dan Evans a long time. We've worked together on a lot of things and he's very capable. He knows what's going on. It's very positive," Logan said.

The Dodgers also moved Wallace to senior VP of baseball operations. He will oversee the farm system and consult with Evans. Wallace became interim GM on April 19 after Kevin Malone was forced out.

Malone's resignation and the July 17 firing of player development director Jerry Weinstein upset the chain of command in L.A. That made things harder for the fledgling 51s as they struggled to gain a foothold on the field and at the gate.

The 51s finished 68-76 in the Pacific Coast League Southern Division, leading to the firing of manager Rick Sofield. But Logan felt Sofield performed well under difficult circumstances.

"This season was tough for everybody. It was like nobody was empowered (in Dodgers' management). Now there's structure and order that was desperately needed," Logan said.

Evans and Wallace will be in charge of hiring the 51s' next manager, and Logan's opinion will also count. Those discussions will begin in earnest next month.

"We've already talked about (a manager) and some of the players," Logan said. "Once the season's over, we'll come up with a timeline for hiring a manager. I am sure (Evans) wants to throw some names by me."

Ex-Dodgers pitching great Orel Hershiser has been rumored as a candidate, but is unlikely to get the job. He has never managed.

"In Triple-A, you tend to need more of a veteran manager," Logan said. "You need a guy who has experience dealing with all the comings and goings. I think there's going to be a lot of interest in the job."

Hiring a manager with strong Dodger Blue ties might help the 51s regenerate the buzz that quickly ebbed in their first season. Logan conceded the 51s didn't take proper advantage of the Dodgers' tradition.

"The Dodgers are one of the strongest brands in sports, maybe the next strongest after the Yankees," Logan said. "We didn't emphasize that enough. But we will."