Dodger Notebook : Reuss Erases Questions but Raises a Few Others

According to Jerry Reuss’ biography in the Dodger media guide, he aspires to be a four-decade player. The reason he said that, Reuss explained Wednesday, was to eliminate all the questions about how much longer he plans to pitch.

“But now it’s started a lot of other questions, like why I want to do it,” Reuss said. “That caught me by surprise.”

Reuss, who appeared in one game for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969, will be 37 on June 19 and 41 in 1990. Does he really intend to do what he said?

“Sure,” he said, “and I will.”

The Dodgers have had a tendency to be calendar-conscious in recent years, epitomized by Vice President Al Campanis’ philosophy that it’s better to give up a player a year too soon than a year too late. But if they have concerns about Reuss’ age, they are keeping them to themselves. And Reuss doesn’t see why he should have any, either.

“I won 14 games last year,” he said. “I had an ERA under 3 (2.92). Why would I? I’m fine (physically), there’s nothing wrong.”

So far this spring, there hasn’t been too much that has gone right for Reuss. He missed a turn during intrasquad games because of sore knees, missed another turn last weekend with the flu, gave up a grand-slam home run to Texas’ Oddibe McDowell last week and seven runs (four earned) in four-plus innings of the Dodgers’ 10-9, 11-inning loss to Montreal Wednesday.

“I’ve had setbacks,” Reuss said after his first start of the spring. “I’ve still got a way to go before I’m where I want to be, but I’m confident I’ll be there when the season starts.”

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda said he is unconcerned.

“Jerry hasn’t thrown that much,” Lasorda said. “He’s a little behind the rest of the pitchers . . . Spring training doesn’t count.”

When it does count, Reuss has specific ideas of what he’d like to accomplish.

“I don’t want to miss a start,” he said. “Don’t get any shots. No injuries. And I am going to win 15 to 18 games.”

Reuss hasn’t won that many since 1982, when he went 18-11 for the Dodgers. Operations on his elbow and both heels have handicapped him since.

“Last spring, I didn’t know whether I’d be able to run again,” he said.

And he’s a different pitcher than he was then. The days when he would blow batters away with his fastball are long gone.

“My success comes from my ability to keep the ball down,” he said.

That, of course, leaves him dependent on the infielders behind him. Last year, the Dodgers made more errors than anybody in the National League.

“But we’re better defensively,” Reuss said. “This is a very good team.”

Asked if this were the best Dodger team he’s played on, Reuss said: “I don’t know if it’s the best. That remains to be seen.

“It’s hard to compare. This team has a different style, a different personality. For instance, when I first came over it was primarily a veteran team. That isn’t the case now.”

Dodger Notes Jerry Reuss gave up nine hits, including a 400-foot, two-run home run to Tim Wallach in the first inning, before being relieved by Dennis Powell. He also made a throwing error that contributed to the Expos’ three-run fifth. . . . The Dodgers trailed, 7-4, at one time but rallied to take a 9-8 lead with three runs in the eighth on an run-scoring double by Dave Anderson and a go-ahead RBI single by Bob Bailor. But Ken Howell gave up a game-tying, 400-foot home run to Andre Dawson in the top of the ninth, then an opposite-field RBI single by Dawson that won it in the 11th. Dawson had four hits and five RBIs. . . . Howell is 0-3 this spring, but pitching coach Ron Perranoski was encouraged. “His control was a whole lot better,” Perranoski said. “And the angle of his fastball was better. He wasn’t wild, he wasn’t consistently up with his pitches.” . . . Outfielder Reggie Williams was struck in the right thumb by a pitch. X-rays were negative. . . . Alejandro Pena is scheduled to pitch three innings today against the Minnesota Twins. . . . Enos Cabell reinjured the middle finger of his left hand and missed the last two games, although he pinch hit Wednesday.