A LOT LEFT IN THAT LEFT ARM DODGERS' OROSCO, 44, CONTINUES TO SHOW THAT HE HAS WHAT IT TAKES.

Byline: Scott Magoloff Staff Writer

This year, his career somewhat on the line, Orosco sprang out on top, and so did the Mets. He became the symbol of the Mets, the weathervane. People said the Mets had lost in 1985 because he had not been the ``old'' Orosco. People said the Mets would win in 1986 if he became the ``old'' Orosco.

- The New York Times

And he did.

The ``old'' Jesse Orosco, 29 years old in 1986, won a combined 23 games and saved 48 others in 1983 and '84 as a relief pitcher for the New York Mets.

Only 8-6 with 17 saves in '85, Orosco struggled somewhat again in '86 (8-6, 21 saves), but he ended that season from the mound, the last one standing - jumping, actually - and throwing his glove skyward in celebration of closing out the Mets' World Series championship over the Boston Red Sox.

Today, Orosco actually is old by baseball standards. But the 44-year-old hopes he has enough ``old'' left in him to contribute to one more championship. With the Dodgers.

The rubber-armed left-hander from Santa Barbara speaks fondly of the 1988 title he won with Los Angeles. Orosco, who owns the major-league record with 1,119 career appearances, is the last link to that glory year. And as he finally can sense some sort of an end lying ahead, Orosco is out to make some more memories.

``It's nice to be able to go back to a team where I was very fortunate to win a ring,'' he said. ``To be the only guy from that team shows my longevity. But this is truly just a great, great baseball city - this is where I hoped I'd make my last stand and I'd like to come out a winner.''

Orosco wasn't sure if he'd even get the chance to make a last stand. He went on the disabled list in 2000 for the first time in his major-league career, which began April 5, 1979. He missed most of last year with a strained left elbow, which was surgically repaired by Dodgers team physician Dr. Frank Jobe on July 28, 2000.

Because the surgery was recent, Orosco was told he would have to try out for the Dodgers in spring training to make the team. And he had to audition first over the winter just to get an invitation to camp.

``That didn't work out at the end of spring training, so I went home and made one more go at it and made it to this point,'' said Orosco, who has given up five runs on 12 hits in 11 2/3 innings with 14 strikeouts this season after regaining his arm strength with Triple-A Las Vegas.

It's fitting that Orosco was able to extend his career with a trip to Vegas, because the Dodgers now are gambling he'll parlay all his experience into one great stretch in September. On the Dodgers' schedule the final three weeks of the season are the San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.

And each boasts a big left-handed power hitter in the midst of a sparkling season: The Giants' Barry Bonds has 49 homers and 95 RBI; the Diamondbacks' Luis Gonzalez has 43 homers and 107 RBI; the Padres' Ryan Klesko has 21 homers and 91 RBI.

The Dodgers' season likely will be made or lost next month. And what separates the two fates could be the way Orosco handles those lefties. It's a role he's mastered throughout his career; he's allowed only two hits to lefties this year, the Rockies' Todd Helton and Larry Walker at Coors Field.

And manager Jim Tracy is quick to point out that Orosco didn't have his curveball that day because of Denver's light air.

``Those are the only two hits he's surrendered to left-handers and that's the role we're looking for,'' Tracy said. ``I think that's a pretty good trump card to have when you get down the stretch, in the limelight, when you're allowed to call on a 22-year veteran that's been there a few times throughout the course of his career.''

Orosco sees many similarities between the 2001 Dodgers and his two World Series winners. He sees some younger players, some older, an interesting mix of personalities in the clubhouse and, most of all, a lot of fun on and off the field.

And, should the Dodgers fall short this season, there's always next year. Right?

``I haven't put a timetable on my career - I'm just having too much fun,'' Orosco said. ``I'm happy with where I am right now. Hopefully, the Dodgers have some interest in the future - I have no plans on retiring. If there's another year or two to muster up, I'll be happy to do that. But I would say right now this will probably be my last stop.''

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Veteran left-hander Jesse Orosco has provided invaluable experience in the bullpen for the Dodgers.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press