AN OREL COMMITMENT; HERSHISER BACK TO DO WHATEVER DODGERS NEED.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Before Fox - before the turmoil and before Mike Piazza was traded in a move still rued by fans - Orel Hershiser defined toughness and the underdog mentality in the Dodgers organization.

Behind one of the most dominant runs in major-league history, he carried the Dodgers to the 1988 World Series title.

Friday - less than a week after the top two Dodgers personnel decision-makers said the chance of it was close to nil - Hershiser returned to his original club five seasons after he left, signing a one-year contract with the Dodgers worth $2 million plus incentives. There's a club option for the 2001 season.

General manager Kevin Malone said Hershiser, 41, would pitch out of the bullpen. Of course that can change as quickly as a Carlos Perez fastball changes direction.

``I'm elated,'' Hershiser said. ``I just can't wait. I'm going back into a culture that I know. I'm going to walk back into an organization that I understand. It's a sweet, sweet possible ending.''

Malone and Dodgers chairman Robert Daly said last weekend they thought Hershiser would sign with a club who could guarantee the aging right-hander a spot in the starting rotation. That stance changed.

The move spanks of symbolism for the Dodgers. Already there's speculation Hershiser could become the team's pitching coach the moment he decides to end his career.

But the Dodgers also believe Hershiser can still pitch, and he'll be counted on heavily next season. He was 13-12 with a 4.58 ERA in 32 starts for the New York Mets last season and has 69 wins in the past five years away from the Dodgers.

``I've been having my last season probably for the last five years,'' Hershiser said. ``Everyone, including my wife and kids, at times have been writing me off. So I've kept myself in shape and kept my nose to the grindstone and looking for every rock to uncover to keep this body in shape and go out and compete.''

However, this is a very different organization than the one Hershiser left before the 1995 season. Then, it was a family-owned club run by the popular O'Malleys, where loyalty and tranquillity reigned.

The perception of the Dodgers changed the moment Rupert Murdoch bought the team and transferred power from the offices at Chavez Ravine to the skyscrapers of New York.

Only in the past eight weeks did the path of the club shift back toward Los Angeles when Daly purchased a minority ownership stake in the club and assumed day-to-day control.

And while Daly tried to ease the mind of fans since his Oct. 28 appointment, the memory of the unpopular Piazza trade, the $105 million signing of Kevin Brown and an utterly embarrassing '99 season all remain engrained in everyone's mind.

``I don't know (the organization) completely of what I left,'' Hershiser said. ``I'm not that naive. But I do have a lot of relationships there. I know where to turn, what offices to go to, to get things done. I know when there's a problem in the locker room with certain things. I know how to communicate back to management . . . so we can go over these bumps in the road a lot quicker.''

Without question, the signing follows the Dodgers' offseason path of revamping the club's makeup both on the field and in the clubhouse. Since the season ended, the Dodgers clubhouse distractions Raul Mondesi, Eric Young and Ismael Valdes are gone, replaced by model citizen Shawn Green, Terry Adams and now Hershiser.

Hershiser brings experience and is considered one of the foremost students of pitching.

``We talked about bringing in winners who can change the chemistry of the club, trying to find a leader, and I think Orel represents a quality leader we really need in the clubhouse,'' Malone said. ``Orel will pitch out of the bullpen, or if he needs to, be a starter. He's dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help (manager) Davey (Johnson), and help the Dodgers win.''

Last season, the Dodgers lacked the swing pitcher, a veteran who could eat innings out of the bullpen or make a spot start. For the time being, Hershiser provides that.

With a rotation of Brown, Chan Ho Park and Darren Dreifort, that leaves Perez and one of the rookie pitchers - Eric Gagne, Jeff Williams or Mike Judd - going for the last two spots in the rotation. If any falter, Hershiser can step in. It can even happen by opening day.

``Orel is a perfect person to have on the team,'' Daly said. ``He adds so much to the team, not only as a terrific pitcher but as a leader and somebody for our young pitchers. He's such a positive asset to the Dodgers, in every respect.

During a 17-year career that includes the 1988 Cy Young, the World Series MVP and a record 59 scoreless innings, Hershiser is 203-145 with a 3.41 ERA. He pitched for the Dodgers from 1983 to 1994 and then pitched for Cleveland, San Francisco and the Mets. He's been to the playoffs in four of the last five years.

``He's a welcomed addition,'' said Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros, who played with Hershiser from '92 to '94. ``It's good to have someone come back to the Dodgers who appreciates the Dodgers and understands the history of the Dodgers and wants to be part of the Dodgers.''

BULLDOG IS BACK

Orel Hershiser is returning to the Dodgers after signing a one-year contract Friday. He was 13-12 with a 4.58 ERA with the Mets last season. A look at where he ranks all-time among active pitchers and with the Dodgers:

ACTIVE RANKINGS

Category No. Rnk

Starts 460 2nd

Wins 201 3rd

Strikeouts 2,001 6th

ERA 3.41 13th

DODGERS RANKINGS

Starts 303 5th

Wins 134 6th

ERA 3.00 4th

Strikeouts 1,443 5th

Innings 2,156 5th

Games 343 6th

Complete games 65 6th

Shutouts 24 6th

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

PHOTO (1 -- color) Orel Hershiser, who played for the New York Mets last season, is back with the Dodgers.

Associated Press

(2 -- color) no caption (Orel Hershiser)

BOX: Bulldog is back (see text)