Dodgers Get Bashed, but This Time by Lasorda

Angered by the Dodgers’ poor performance, Tommy Lasorda admonished players Saturday for lacking desire and embarrassing the organization throughout this disappointing season.

The former Dodger manager was especially critical of Raul Mondesi, saying the disgruntled right fielder has exhibited a bad attitude on and off the field. Lasorda defended off-season moves made by team President Bob Graziano and General Manager Kevin Malone, but he said that major changes should be made at the end of this season unless the team soon shows a pulse.

Randy Johnson pitched a complete game Saturday afternoon in leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-2 victory over the Dodgers in a matchup of National League West rivals. The first-place Diamondbacks (59-46) dropped the last-place Dodgers (45-59) a season-high 14 games under .500.

No wonder Lasorda is seeing red these days, not Dodger Blue.

“I am very disappointed in the way we’ve played, I’m very disappointed in the effort that I’ve seen out there at times, and this just isn’t acceptable for a Dodger ballclub,” said the Dodger senior vice president, traveling throughout the country on behalf of the organization. “These guys are playing for the names on the back of their uniforms, not for the names on the front [Dodgers] of their uniforms. You’ve heard people say there’s no ‘I’ in team? Well believe me, that’s the way it has to be.

“We’ve been an embarrassment because they’re not focusing on the team, they’re focusing on themselves. It’s embarrassing because of what the Dodgers have always represented. It’s embarrassing to our fans, and it should be an embarrassment to them. They should feel horrible because they’re embarrassing the people who pay our salaries.”

Lasorda said selfish play and apathy are chief among the Dodgers’ many problems, not lack of talent.

“Don’t try to tell me this team isn’t talented, don’t try to tell me we don’t have guys who can get the job done,” Lasorda said. “I managed this team for 20 years and I know talent when I see it. When Bob and Kevin went out and made the additions they did [in the off-season], they made the right additions to make this a championship ballclub.

“This was a team that had a chance to make a name for itself. But it hasn’t because the players haven’t executed, the players haven’t done the job, it’s as simple as that. Any manager is only as good as his players play, but these guys are all looking for excuses. What they need to do is look in the mirror. They need to look at themselves and admit it.

“They’re probably going to get angry when they see this because they don’t want these things said. But I really don’t care if they’re angry. The fact is that they need to be angry. Hopefully, they’ll get angry at me and finally start looking at what they need to change. They need to get angry about something, that’s the problem.”

Although Lasorda said many players are not doing all they can, he is most disappointed with Mondesi.

The multitalented outfielder has been in a funk since he began struggling at the plate in June. Mondesi went homerless in 112 at-bats during one stretch, and his focus has waned in the process.

He has infuriated Dodger officials by scoffing at team rules. Mondesi was fined for missing a mandatory workout after the All-Star game, and he has been roundly criticized for sitting in the bullpen while the Dodgers were batting last Friday in the fifth inning of a nine-run loss to the Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark.

“That was just bush,” Lasorda said. “I love Mondy, but I couldn’t believe that he did that. That’s not the Mondy I know, but Mondy has done a lot of things I’m disappointed with this year. Mondy was leading us at the beginning of the season. When we needed a big home run, Mondy gave it to us. But then he started struggling, and all of a sudden Mondy started doing things he just shouldn’t.

“When was the last time you saw Mondy get a base hit to right field? He’s not doing those things right now. But what’s even worse than that is that Mondy isn’t displaying the maturity we need from him. He isn’t being the leader we need. I’m going to talk to him as soon as I get back [to Los Angeles], because this has to stop.”

Malone spoke cautiously when informed of Lasorda’s harsh comments.

“Well . . . everyone is trying to analyze the situation to see how we can improve,” Malone said. “We all have different opinions as to what is wrong with the club, and what we need to do to make improvements for the future.”

Lasorda said there have been some bright spots. In particular, he praised left fielder Gary Sheffield, first baseman Eric Karros, pitcher Ismael Valdes and shortstop Mark Grudzielanek, and said others have made positive impacts.

However, Lasorda said the Dodgers need a 25-man effort to succeed.

“When I was managing, I always told my guys that everyone had to be on one end of the rope,” Lasorda said. “You can’t have some guys pulling in one direction and other guys pulling in other directions. That just won’t work.

“Bob and Kevin still are giving these players a chance to prove they should be Dodgers. There is a lot of time left in this season, and it’s time these guys show them something if they want to keep on being Dodgers.”