DODGERS NOTEBOOK: HAMILTON'S STORY IMPRESSES LITTLE.

Byline: JILL PAINTER

Staff Writer

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton took early batting practice at Dodger Stadium and was pleasantly surprised by a kind gesture from Dodger manager Grady Little.

Little introduced himself to Hamilton, the early candidate for rookie of the year, and told him how proud he was of him, then invited him to his North Carolina home in the offseason.

Hamilton, the former No. 1 overall pick of the 1999 baseball amateur draft, has returned to baseball following a drug problem and is batting .268 with eight home runs and 18 RBIs.

Hamilton's feel-good story was uplifting for Little.

"It means a lot, especially coming after the tragedy (the death of Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock) a couple of weeks ago," Little said. "It's about what a guy can do to overcome something, not just in baseball but in life."

Hamilton said he'll take him up on his offer to go golfing. The two live about 60 miles apart.

Hamilton addressed a group of media before Friday's game, as he does in every city now, to talk about his rocky road back.

"I feel very blessed," Hamilton said. "I've been asked if I would go back and change it, and I wouldn't change anything. While I was going through it, yes, I would've, but I wouldn't be where I'm at at this point."

Home cooking: Dodgers third baseman Andy LaRoche is playing his first regular-season games at Dodger Stadium this weekend. His sister, Nikki Green, and her husband were scheduled to watch his homecoming.

He made his major-league debut Sunday in Atlanta and had four hits in his first 10at-bats.

LaRoche played in exhibition games against the Angels at Dodger Stadium, where he was 0 for 3 with a walk.

"Ever since I got drafted in 2003, my mind-set has been on playing in this stadium," LaRoche said. "It's a dream come true."

Notes: Marlon Anderson had successful arthroscopic surgery, performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, to remove four loose chips on his right elbow Friday and is expected to begin rehabilitation today. The Dodgers are looking at a two-month rehab, according to athletic trainer Stan Conte. Anderson had surgery to remove bone chips on the same elbow in October. ... The Dodgers donated $100,000 to Griffith Park to help in the rebuilding of the park following this week's fire.

CAPTION(S):

box

Box:

DODGERS vs. CINCINNATI

- Jill Painter