Dodgers Won This Game by Not Playing Hardball

Give Kevin Malone and Davey Johnson credit, something they haven’t received much of since they arrived in Los Angeles. . . .

They were criticized for not coming down harder on Raul Mondesi after his expletive-laced trade demand in August. But, as we have since learned, their inaction was part of a greater plan. . . .

If they had suspended Mondesi, he might have lost interest in playing the rest of the season. But because of their decision to, as Malone said, “handle this internally,” Mondesi finished strong. . . .

That enabled the Dodgers not only to trade him but to trade him for a player the caliber of Shawn Green. . . .

Two months ago, considering Mondesi’s contract and temperament, the Dodgers feared they would be unable to acquire anyone nearly as talented for him, or, even if they did, they figured they would have to continue paying part of Mondesi’s salary. . . .

Although the Dodgers now have their left-handed power hitter, they might not be able to fill their most pressing need. . . .

It doesn’t appear as if they can improve at catcher unless Todd Hundley and Angel Pena improve. . . .

The Dodgers probably won’t know until spring training whether Hundley is closer to returning to his pre-elbow surgery form of 1996 and ‘97, but they will have more information on Pena this week. . . .

Their director of player development, Jerry Weinstein, leaves today for the Dominican Republic, where a number of Dodger prospects, including Pena, are playing this winter. . . .

The Angels can empathize. . . .

“We haven’t had a catcher here since Bob Boone that has completely filled out the vision and role of a major league catcher that you’d like to see,” President Tony Tavares said last week. . . .

Perhaps Boone or Mike Scioscia would agree to become a player-manager for the Angels.

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If the Red Sox offer Troy O’Leary and a pitcher, say Korean Jin Ho Cho, for Tim Salmon, the Angels would have to consider it. . . .

When the Angels are negotiating with Chuck Finley, I hope they take into consideration his loyalty. On more than one occasion when they asked him to restructure his contract so that they could create payroll room to sign a player, he agreed. . . .

You knew the Blue Jays weren’t going to bring Green back next season when Manager Jim Fregosi fired hitting coach Gary Matthews and replaced him with Cito Gaston. . . .

Green flourished under Matthews’ instruction but wasn’t a favorite of Gaston’s when he managed the Blue Jays. . . .

Green, who turns 27 today, won his first Gold Glove Award on Tuesday. His arm is as strong as Mondesi’s, although Green is more deliberate in releasing the ball. I didn’t want you to think he’s perfect. . . .

Then again, he might be close. He left a ticket before each game in Toronto for a mentally challenged woman who routinely greets the players in their parking garage and is known as the Blue Jays’ biggest fan. . . .

Green and Kevin Brown combined will earn an average of $29 million per season, higher than the 1999 payrolls of seven teams. . . .

The St. Louis Cardinals are interested in Eric Young. The Dodgers should be interested in him too unless they can find another leadoff hitter. . . .

Derrick Hall, the Dodger publicity director before becoming the morning show host on KXTA (1150) and a Channel 4 sportscaster, is interviewing with the team about a vice presidency. . . .

I’m looking at the cover of the 1997 Dodger media guide, which features Mike Piazza, Raul Mondesi, Eric Karros, Hideo Nomo and Todd Hollandsworth. . . .

Will the last rookie of the year out of Dodger Stadium please turn out the lights? . . .

Now I know Paul Hackett is in trouble. He received the dreaded vote of confidence Tuesday from Mike Garrett. . . .

It should be pointed out that Hackett’s record in his second season at USC is 11-11 and that John McKay’s record in his first two seasons at USC was 8-11-1. . . .

Of course, McKay’s third Trojan team in 1962 went 11-0 and won the national championship. . . .

Laffit Pincay watch: Needing only 23 victories to pass Bill Shoemaker for the record in career wins, Pincay has rides in four races today as Hollywood Park opens its 31-day fall meeting. The leading jockey at this meeting last year, Garrett Gomez, rode 24 winners.

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While wondering why 7-1 Tennessee is ranked ahead of 7-1 Florida when the Volunteers’ loss is to the Gators, I was thinking: At least Shaquille O’Neal has stepped up in class from Greg Ostertag to Jermaine O’Neal, USC and UCLA combined might not have a top-25 team, I’m still trying to figure out who won that bass fishing tournament.

Randy Harvey can be reached at his e-mail address: randy.harvey@latimes.com