DODGERS : Parrish Is a Big Hit in Intrasquad Game

VERO BEACH, Fla. —  Lance Parrish still doesn’t know why the Angels released him in the middle of last season. He had averaged about 20 home runs a season for three seasons, and there was no question he could still catch.

“They never said, ‘Lance, you can’t do this or you can’t do that, so we are going to go with this guy,’ ” Parrish said. “Then they released me when I would have been a free agent anyway at the end of the season. They still had to pay me, so it was a slap in the face.”

Parrish was picked up by the Seattle Mariners on June 28 and said he was led to believe he would be re-signed during the winter meetings in December. When that didn’t happen, Parrish, 36 and a 15-year veteran, was out of a job. He was invited by the Dodgers to camp as a nonroster player, and he is making the most of the opportunity. Wednesday, Parrish hit a two-run home run to give his team the lead in the club’s intrasquad game. He is one of four catchers trying to make the team, including prospects Mike Piazza and Carlos Hernandez.

“I feel good and things have been great here,” Parrish said. “The biggest thing I need to accomplish is trying to learn the pitching staff. It’s kind of a blind situation. I just hope when the games begin that I have a chance to catch so I can learn them.”

Despite reports, Dodger Vice President Tommy Hawkins says he has never been contacted by anyone about being a candidate to replace outgoing National League President Bill White. He doesn’t even know if the rumor is true. But, if asked to be a candidate, Hawkins said, he would “involve himself.”

“The talk and speculation has increased, and it puts me in a precarious position because I am not seeking another position,” Hawkins said. “I am also aware that the gentleman I report to is on the selection committee.”

Hawkins is referring to Dodger President Peter O’Malley, who is the chairman of the selection committee. He said O’Malley has never talked with him about the job. “A (published) report came out a few weeks ago that listed Tom Seaver, Ted Sizemore, Bob Watson and me on the ‘short list,’ ” Hawkins said. “I wonder what happened to the long list?”

Eric Davis and Piazza also hit home runs Wednesday and outfield prospect Raul Mondesi made a spectacular back-handed catch on the run to rob Tim Wallach in the third inning. . . . Orel Hershiser will start for the Dodgers in the exhibition opener Friday against the New York Yankees. He will be followed by Pedro Astacio, with Roger McDowell and Jim Gott tentatively scheduled to pitch out of the bullpen. Jimmy Key is scheduled to start for the Yankees.