DODGERS NOTEBOOK: RUSSELL ENJOYS VISIT TO STADIUM.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

Former manager Bill Russell made his first appearance at Dodger Stadium since his June 21 firing, sitting in the private box of former president Peter O'Malley with his wife Susan and a collection of Dodgers dignitaries.

Russell did not speak to new general manager Tom Lasorda nor any of his former players Wednesday, but he did not appear uncomfortable with the surroundings.

``Peter invited my wife and I to come out and enjoy a ballgame,'' Russell said. ``This has been a part of my life for 32 years and we decided to come out and enjoy ourselves. What better way than to come out and see the Dodgers and the Giants?''

On the night of the firing, new club president Bob Graziano said there was a chance Russell could return to the organization. Russell's relationship with Lasorda is strained and nothing has been discussed to this point.

Russell, who is being paid the remainder of his two-year, $700,000 contract, will remain in the Los Angeles area this summer. He has a place in Glendale, but will be visiting family in Oklahoma during the next few weeks.

Fred Claire, the Dodgers executive vice president who was fired the same day as Russell, worked for ESPN as a baseball analyst during the July 4 Braves-Mets telecast in Atlanta and could be doing additional games this summer.

Among the former teammates on hand Wednesday were Steve Garvey, Steve Yeager, Ken Landreaux and, of course, Orel Hershiser, the winning pitcher in the Giants' 5-3 victory over the Dodgers.

Russell said seeing old faces was fun, although some of them were here to see Lasorda about a position in the organization.

``It wasn't hard to be here,'' Russell said. ``A lot of people would have had a problem with it, but I've been following the team and we just wanted to come out. It was good because the fans greeted me and wished me good luck and success. I even signed some autographs.''

Gutty Guthrie: Mark Guthrie, who replaced Dodgers starter Darren Dreifort to begin the eighth inning, was struck on the left ankle by a sharp one-hopper by Bill Mueller with one out in the ninth.

Trainer Charlie Strasser came to the mound, but Guthrie remained in the game. He had a noticeable limp as he walked off the field but finished with two scoreless innings. Guthrie has allowed three runs in his past 17-1/3 innings over 13 appearances (1.56 ERA).

``I wouldn't say I've been throwing well,'' Guthrie said. ``I gave up a home run in San Francisco. It really doesn't matter how well I'm doing. We lost the game.''

Quick hits: Eric Karros avoided an embarrassing situation on Mueller's grounder to first in the seventh inning. Karros made the stop but turned his back to the plate and took his time getting to the bag. He beat Mueller by a half-step.

DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS

Time: 5:10 p.m., at Busch Stadium.

TV/Radio: No TV; 1150-AM, KWKW 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: In the first of four games with the St. Louis Cardinals, Ismael Valdes (I6-9, 4.21) faces left-hander Kent Mercker (5-6, 5.83). Valdes lost his last start, 4-1 vs. San Diego last Saturday. He goes back on the road where he does not pitch well (2-6, 5.30). Matchups for the rest of the series: Friday (5:10 p.m. Channel 5) - Brian Bohanon (2-5, 3.55) vs. right-hander Juan Acevedo (4-2, 3.56). . . . Saturday (10:15 a.m. Fox/11) - Dave Mlicki (5-4, 4.60) vs. right-hander Kent Bottenfield (2-5, 4.95). . . . Sunday (5:05 p.m., ESPN) - Chan Ho Park (8-5, 4.32) vs. right-hander Todd Stottlemyre (9-8, 3.29).

- Matt McHale

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS (see text)