DODGERS NOTEBOOK: MCCOURT GOAL: 'WIN THIS YEAR'.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

VERO BEACH, Fla. - Frank McCourt's ``sense of urgency'' regarding the Dodgers' acquisition of a top-level hitter remains unknown, but there can be no doubt about what McCourt expects from his current players this season.

``We need to create a sense of urgency here,'' McCourt said Tuesday. ``We're not rebuilding. My goal is to win this year and my goal is to win every year.''

McCourt, whose $430 million purchase of the Dodgers from News Corp. was approved by major-league owners last month, addressed the players for the first time Tuesday before their first full-squad workout.

Talking to reporters afterward, McCourt said a decision has not yet been made on the status of team president Bob Graziano but hoped to reach one by opening day. Sources have indicated Graziano is unlikely to stay with the team, but McCourt only said Graziano remains the president ``right now.''

In his 10-minute address to players, part of a 45-minute meeting, McCourt stressed the importance of moving forward, the pride involved in wearing a Dodgers uniform and his desire to win championships.

``I think the message was loud and clear,'' manager Jim Tracy said.

At his introductory news conference last month, McCourt pledged he would authorize a trade for a top-level hitter before the start of spring training, but then plunged into a two-week search for a replacement for general manger Dan Evans.

On Tuesday, McCourt picked up the company line, which seems to be that the Dodgers have the ability to win with the current group of players.

``This is s good team with a lot of good players,'' McCourt said. ``As Jim Tracy told them, they have averaged almost 90 wins per year, but they just haven't finished.''

--Rhythm in blue: One major source of optimism for Tracy through the first week of spring training has been the strong showing of starter Kazuhisa Ishii.

Ishii, plagued by wildness and inconsistency during his first two seasons with the Dodgers, has overhauled his delivery to create better balance and rhythm, and it has paid off so far.

Working with pitching coach Jim Colborn, Ishii said through an interpreter, he has changed his windup so his elbow and knee no longer touch, and changed his follow-through so his lead leg no longer is as stiff, which caused balance problems upon landing.

``It's important for me to have confidence when I pitch, and I'm working on my rhythm so that I feel more confident,'' Ishii said. ``I'm working on different things so I can have a smooth delivery.

``I still think there is space for me to improve and get better.''

Ishii has been effective at times, but often struggles with walks, something he attributes to his lack of rhythm during games. Ishii walked 106 batters in 2002 and 101 last season, but has dominating stuff when in control, leading Tracy to be optimistic about what this season could bring for Ishii.

``I see a guy that's landing a little differently,'' Tracy said, ``and the ball is down and it's consistently in the strike zone. When he's on, you don't get too many hits off him.''

--Status report: Guillermo Mota has resolved his visa problems in the Dominican Republic and should participate in workouts today. ... Darren Dreifort completed his second bullpen session of the spring and reported no problems. ... Shawn Green worked out exclusively at first base and received praise from Tracy.

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com

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KAZUHISA ISHII

Dodgers starter has changed his mechanics to promote a consistent delivery.