BUTLER PAYS VISIT : DODGERS BEAT REDS ON DESHIELDS HIT DODGERS 5, CINCINNATI 4.

Byline: Eric Noland Daily News Staff Writer

It was an unplanned visit, made purely on impulse. The Dodgers' Brett Butler, in the neighborhood to explore alternative treatments for his throat cancer, stopped by Dodger Stadium early Saturday evening - and jolted his teammates into dumbfoundedness when he simply stepped through the clubhouse door.

``When I walked in, it was like they were looking at a ghost,'' said Butler, who has been absent from the team since early May and undergone two throat surgeries. ``I just wanted them to see that I was OK.''

The Dodgers then seemed determined to assure him that they still possess Butler-like grit, scratching across a run in the 10th inning to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4.

In the 10th, Milt Thompson led off with an infield single off Hector Carrasco, then stole second one out later. After pinch-hitter Mike Busch walked, Delino DeShields greeted reliever Mike Remlinger with a line single to left, easily scoring Thompson from second.

It was the kind of gutty finish that would cause a tingle of pride in the Dodgers' ailing center fielder and leadoff hitter.

``Obviously, you don't want to see him hurting or in pain,'' DeShields said of Butler, ``but it's good to see he's in good spirits . . . .

``He's had surgery, but he hasn't changed much. He knew we needed a little kick in the butt. (The Dodgers had lost three of four to start the homestand.) I think that's why he stopped by today.''

Before the game, Butler spent about an hour in the home clubhouse with teammates and staff members, hugging them and accepting their well-wishes.

Yes, he admitted, it was a deeply emotional time for all involved. ``In a month,'' Butler said, ``my life's just been turned upside down.''

Said Roger Cedeno, Butler's replacement in center field: ``I don't even eat, I was so excited,''

In the middle of the second inning of the evening's game, a crowd of 44,575 received the stunning news that Butler was among them. As he smiled and waved from the box of executive vice president Fred Claire, Butler received a standing ovation that lasted more than a minute. It was joined by Reds players on the field and in the dugout; several stopped amid their warmups to applaud and wave.

Butler flew to Southern California late last week from his home outside Atlanta. The purpose of his trip was to investigate a laetrile-treatment program at American Biologics in Tijuana, Mexico.

Butler said he was impressed with what he found and soon will undertake a three-week, two-pronged treatment program that will involve radiation therapy in Chula Vista in the mornings and the organic treatment in Mexico in the afternoons. That will be followed by a similar three-week program in Atlanta, after which, Butler said, he is resolved to try to rejoin the Dodgers late this season.

He planned to fly home this morning, and when his visit to the Mexico facility concluded sooner than expected, he said, ``I felt I can't be this close (to Los Angeles) without coming to see them.''

``I was trying to bring them up to speed on everything,'' Butler added of his teammates.

And there was plenty to tell.

Butler said that a friend back home, John Cunningham, was waging a battle with cancer two years ago.

``He was written off for dead, given a week to live,'' Butler said. After laetrile treatments with Dr. Jose Henriquez at American Biologics, Cunningham today ``is doing fine,'' Butler said.

The Dodgers outfielder continued: ``I'm trying to exhaust everything - all of the conventional medicine as well as alternative medicine. . . .

``This (laetrile treatment) is designed to build up the immune system.''

He must undertake it in Mexico because it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in this country.

Butler said he hopes to have all of his cancer treatment completed by early August, ``which will give me two months to get back.

``I don't know how my system will react. But my main concern is my health.''

Butler appeared thin and gaunt, but the trademark gleam was not missing from his eye. He said of the Dodgers: ``A couple of guys said, `Put on a uniform. Let's go.'

``How badly would I like to do that.''

``He's a fighter,'' said Thompson. ``If he says he's going to be back this year, I've got to believe him.''

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Photo

PHOTO (color) Brett Butler waves to the crowd from Fred Cla ire's box. Dodgers fans and the Cincinnati Reds both gave Butler a standing ovation.

Michael Owen Baker / Daily News