Hundley Happy to Be Here

Catcher Todd Hundley, a force offensively and in the clubhouse, hopes to end his career with the Dodgers.

“We’ve got a great group of guys,” said Hundley, a free agent after the season. “I’m happy here, I know we can get it done, and I’d like to be a part of that.”

The Dodgers bought out Hundley’s contract option for next season after General Manager Kevin Malone acquired Hundley from the New York Mets in a three-team deal in December 1998.

Hundley could have demanded another trade as a player traded in the middle of a multiyear contract, so the Dodgers bought out a $6-million option for $500,000 after Hundley’s agent made the request.

It appears the Dodgers made a mistake because Hundley would have had to exercise his trade right after last season, in which he struggled while recovering from reconstructive right elbow surgery and his trade value plummeted.

But now he has reverted to form.

He is batting .299 with 22 home runs, 57 runs batted in and a .636 slugging percentage despite two stints on the disabled list because of injuries not related to his elbow.

Hundley, who has a .395 on-base percentage, has thrown out only 16 of 78 runners trying to steal and struggled defensively.

However, his production in only 231 at-bats has made him a key contributor.

“I said before the season that ‘Hot Rod’ was going to be a key, and he’s played well,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “We’ve been a different team when he’s in there.”

The Dodgers plan to resign backup catcher Chad Kreuter, but they don’t want to use him in an everyday role.

Team officials are disappointed in triple-A catcher Angel Pena, the organization’s 1998 minor league player of the year.

Scouts believe Pena possesses the tools to become a successful major leaguer, but his attitude needs work.

Paul LoDuca, also at triple-A Albuquerque, has been impressive in several auditions with the Dodgers.

“LoDuca definitely can be an everyday catcher in the big leagues,” Karros said. “The only thing he lacks is an opportunity.”

He might soon get one.

“Obviously, no one knows what’s going to happen in the future,” Hundley said. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

*

A Chicago criminal court judge Tuesday limited the amount of information the Dodgers must provide in litigation in connection with a May 16 melee at Wrigley Field, the club’s attorney said.

At a criminal hearing for James Maness of Chicago, one of three men charged with disorderly conduct after a brawl between the Dodgers and fans in the stands, Dodger attorney Mike Abernathy successfully argued that the club should not have to provide the personnel files of players and other documentation to attorneys representing the defendants.

Restricting the scope of information could help the Dodgers in civil litigation. One lawsuit has already been filed and another is expected.

“What I like about what the court did today was that it drew a firm line between where the criminal case ends and the civil case begins,” Abernathy said. “That’s what we’ve wanted all along.”

*

Third baseman Adrian Beltre, who had a 10-game hitting streak, was hitless in four at-bats in Tuesday’s 7-2 victory.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

DARREN DREIFORT

(10-7, 4.48 ERA)

vs.

BREWERS’

JAMEY WRIGHT

(6-7, 4.27 ERA)

County Stadium, 5 PDT.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--Dreifort had no-decisions in his last two outings after getting victories in six consecutive starts. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.70 against the Brewers. Wright is 2-4 with a 3.52 ERA against the Dodgers.