51s manager Kennedy gets back in the swing

Nick Christensen

Thursday, March 18, 2004 | 9:17 a.m.

Halfway through spring training with his eighth club, Las Vegas 51s manager Terry Kennedy said Monday that the organization was adjusting well to the constant change the team has experienced since January.

Kennedy was hired in January as the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple-A manager. Two years ago, he stepped down as the Cubs' minor league coordinator to spend time with his family, but came back after his kids went to college. Before his time as the farm coordinator, he was the 1998 Minor League Manager of the Year with Triple-A Iowa.

He comes into a Dodgers organization in such flux that front-office resignations seem like a daily occurrence. The changes began when new owner Frank McCourt, who bought the team in January, replaced general manager Dan Evans with Paul DePodesta, who was an assistant general manager with Oakland.

Since then, several senior executives including chairman Bob Daly, team president Bob Graziano, and communications director Derrick Hall.

But, Kennedy said, the franchise is becoming steadier as time goes by.

"I've been through sales before, it just hasn't happened this late. Frank and Jamie McCourt are down here quite a lot, and things are solidifying day-by-day," Kennedy said from the Dodgers' spring training facility at Vero Beach, Fla. "Paul DePodesta has caught up, he has definitely learned the organization faster than anybody I've seen, minor leaguers included. These guys have caught up in a hurry."

Kennedy said he's still unsure who will start the season where, and doesn't expect to know for at least another 10 days, perhaps not until April. He said that those in minor league camp are usually out working from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Kennedy remains with the Dodgers at the Vero Beach complex.

Baseball is in Kennedy's blood, which is why he came back.

"You just jump right back here to the routine. It's nothing out of the ordinary. You know how it is -- you get into the rhythm right away," Kennedy said. "It's great to be back. There's not a whole lot to do in Vero, but I've only been here one other time. Vero's not your hottest spot, but Dodgertown's great. Everything you need is here."

(2003 stats are at Triple-A)