DODGERS NOTEBOOK: BOSTON GM LIKELY NOT A CANDIDATE.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

Frank McCourt's fascination with all things Boston isn't likely to lead the Dodgers owner in the direction of Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, who effectively resigned on Monday rather than sign a three-year contract worth an estimated $4.35 million.

A source close to Epstein, whose longtime working relationship with Red Sox president Larry Lucchino had begun to sour, said he probably will take a year off from baseball due to burnout and isn't likely to have much interest in becoming the Dodgers' next GM.

Meanwhile, two Dodgers spokespersons said Monday the club's search for a new GM will be cloaked in secrecy, the only available news to date being that the team received permission from Seattle to interview Pat Gillick. Gillick, a veteran general manager with a history of success, presently works as a special consultant to Mariners GM Bill Bavasi.

Finally, Texas pitching coach Orel Hershiser told the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram on Monday he expects to meet with Dodgers officials in the next day or two, but he isn't sure for what position. The Dodgers pitching legend and 1988 World Series hero had been a finalist for the manager's job before GM Paul DePodesta was fired on Saturday. But Hershiser also has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the GM job and some other position in the front office that probably would serve as a GM apprenticeship to prepare Hershiser to take over one day.

The Dodgers are in the process of compiling a list of candidates for the GM job and of contacting the teams that currently employ those candidates for permission to talk to them. Two likely candidates whom the Dodgers don't need permission to contact are former Houston GM Gerry Hunsicker and former Cleveland and Texas GM John Hart.

Washington GM Jim Bowden, another Boston-area native who grew up in suburban Weston, Mass., has been rumored to be a candidate. But Bowden's track record and success rate during his 12 seasons as a GM are mediocre at best. All indications are he won't be seriously considered.

Gillick clearly is the top choice of McCourt and special advisor Tommy Lasorda, but there is a question as to whether the Dodgers can get him. Gillick and Hunsicker have interviewed, and are believed to be the leading candidates, for the GM vacancy in Philadelphia.

--Miscellany: Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent won his fourth Silver Slugger Award on Monday. The award, voted on by managers and coaches, goes to the top offensive player at each position in each league. ... Scott Little, the manager of the Dodgers' Single-A Vero Beach, Fla., affiliate, has left the organization to become minor-league field coordinator for the Nationals.

Tony Jackson,[phone]

tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com