DODGERS SALE OK EXPECTED.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

Despite an impassioned plea Wednesday by Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner to block media giant Rupert Murdoch from buying the Dodgers, major league owners are expected today to approve the $311 million sale.

In a two hour meeting, Turner, whose own media company, Time Warner, rivals Murdoch's empire, addressed owners, but refused to speak afterward. A grim-faced Dodgers President Peter O'Malley left the meeting without comment, but acting Commissioner Bud Selig said the sale will be put to a vote this morning.

That is critical for O'Malley, whose family has controlled the club since 1950. Sources said Selig would not allow a vote unless he knew it would pass. Selig, hoping to repair the owners' fractured image in recent labor disputes with players, canceled a January vote because Murdoch did not have the support.

``There were a lot of questions, a lot of clarification, but no conclusion,'' Colorado Rockies owner Jerry McMorris said. ``I think it will be a close vote.''

Before the vote today, Turner - who is attending his first baseball owners meeting in nine years - again will address the full body of owners.

``It's good that Ted is here,'' said New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. ``We need people like Ted here, and if the sale of the Dodgers goes through, we need Rupert to be here. We'll listen to all the facts and make a decision.''

Peter Angelos, who purchased the Baltimore Orioles in October 1993 for a record $170 million added, ``It is a business decision. I hope we make the right one.''

Selig refused to speculate on the outcome, saying ``I am not in the prediction business.''

Murdoch must receive yes votes from 12 of the 16 National League owners and eight of the 14 American League owners.

In addition to the club, Murdoch would receive Dodger Stadium and its 300 acres, and the Dodgertown spring-training facility and minor-league team in Vero Beach, Fla. He also would get a practice site in the Dominican Republic.

The Dodgers were represented at Wednesday's meetings by O'Malley, new club President Bob Graziano and Murdoch's top people, Chase Carey and Peter Chernin. The group arrived here by Fox's corporate jet around noon and hopes to fly back today to the club's spring-training base after a 9 a.m. (PST) news conference.

On March 11, the Dodgers were given permission by Major League Baseball's ownership committee to complete the deal with Murdoch. That day, O'Malley, who put the Dodgers up for sale Jan. 3, 1997, moved from president to board chairman. Graziano, an executive vice president with a background in accounting and finance, was named club president.

Chernin is president and chief executive officer of News Corp., the parent company of Fox Sports, the division that would run the Dodgers. Carey is chairman and chief executive of Fox Television. Both will have input at future league and ownership meetings.

Murdoch's News Corp. owns national television contracts for Major League Baseball, and the National Football League and National Hockey League. Fox also owns local cable contracts for 22 of the 30 major-league clubs.

Murdoch's influence in future negotiations on the national and local levels worries owners as does the possibility of the further inflating of player salaries.

There also have been concerns that Murdoch's television holdings overseas will lead to international exposure of the Dodgers beyond existing rules.

But Murdoch's resources also are seen as a boost to an industry that still has not completely recovered from the crippling 1994 labor dispute that canceled the World Series.

``I think the safeguards against some of the concerns from people have been amply addressed,'' Texas Rangers co-owner Tom Schieffer said. ``Fox will be good for baseball, they have been a television partner, so far.''

In recent weeks, optimism over the sale's approval has soared. Turner and San Diego Padres owner John Moores have opposed the deal, but even Moores' close friend and fellow Texan Drayton McLane, owner of the Houston Astros, said he is voting for Murdoch.

San Francisco Giants owner Peter Magowan once stood with Moores. They were fearful a Murdoch-owned team would bombard their television markets with Dodgers games. Now, Magowan supports Murdoch.

O'Malley appeared relaxed Tuesday when he hosted the organization's annual St. Patrick's Day party in Vero Beach. There were several Fox references during the evening which brought good-natured laughter from the more than 200 people in attendance.

``Fox will be good for the Dodgers,'' O'Malley said.

Now it's up to the owners whether it is good for baseball.

Staff Writer Kevin Modesti contributed to this report.

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Photo

Photo: Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley arrives Wednesday for a baseball owners meeting in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Scott Martin/Associated Press