DODGERS, PORTER ARE PARTING WAYS.

Byline: - Tom Hoffarth

Calling it a ``makeover'' decision that had nothing to do with salary, the Dodgers officially announced Friday it will not renew the contract of broadcaster Ross Porter.

To replace Porter, who has spent the past 28 years with the organization doing play-by-play on TV and radio, the Dodgers will soon hire two new broadcasters to join the team of Vin Scully and Rick Monday, executive vice president Lon Rosen said.

``Decisions of this magnitude are never this easy, and with every change with someone of Ross' stature it's sure to evoke an emotional response from a lot of people,'' Rosen said. ``We've spent the last two weeks discussing all our options and, when all is said and done, we will end up spending even more money on the new broadcasting team.''

Porter, who spent Friday on KSPN-AM (710) as a fill-in sports-talk host, tried not to discuss his departure despite callers who expressed their appreciation of his work over the years.

In a statement released by his agent George Green, the 65-year-old Porter said:

``It has been an honor for me to broadcast games for the Dodgers for the last 28 years. Now, the organization has decided to go in another direction. This is their choice. I wish to thank the fans and listeners for their loyalty and their support of my work. There are no plans to retire. I love what I do.''

Porter also thanked Scully and former Dodgers general manager Fred Claire for recommending him to former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley, who hired him in 1977 from KNBC-Channel 4, where he was a sportscaster.