DODGERS SUCCEEDING IN PAINTING THIS TOWN BLUE.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

Never saw it coming. Would have laughed at the mere suggestion. Still seems to skirt the impossible.

It is so difficult to quantify. Argue against the theory, it is completely understandable, even reasonable:

This is a Dodgers town again.

Bigger than USC football, bigger than the X Games and the NHL few miss, and remarkably, even bigger than the Lakers.

It's been an amazing rebirth in things Dodger blue. There seems a clear sense that in the Los Angeles area, the Dodgers have once again become the favored team.

The team people talk about, most closely follow, best support.

In 1996, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant arrived, the Dodgers appeared in the playoffs for the last time, and the Lakers began their ascent.

Ships passing in the night.

After three consecutive titles, L.A. clearly belonged to the Lakers. Purple and gold reigned. Shaq and Kobe were megastars, and Staples Center the center of all things hip.

All while the Dodgers floundered under News Corp.

Now, it's unexpectedly time to paint the town blue again. Time to acknowledge the team's return atop L.A.'s sporting hierarchy.

The thought would have seemed ridiculous only a few months ago. The Dodgers were under the new ownership of Bostonians Frank and Jamie McCourt, whose financial wealth came under constant media scrutiny. The forecast was gloom.

And in early June, the Lakers were on their way back to the NBA Finals and presumed championship.

Now the Lakers are coming off an embarrassing series loss to the Pistons, Shaq's been dealt, coach Phil Jackson is counting cattle in Montana, Kobe's image has been staggered, the Lakers have been almost completely rebuilt and are no lock to even make the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have led their division most of the year. Are poised to win their division. Are again the talk of the town.

Jerry Buss sat next to McCourt on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium, though no baton was seen passing between them.

``We've established a presence in this city,'' said Tommy Lasorda, team senior vice president and former manager.

``They love this ballclub because they never quit. You can see it in the attendance.''

The Dodgers lead the NL in attendance, and with three sellouts still to come this weekend, already have drawn the fifth-highest season total in Dodger Stadium's 42-year history.

All with a team most have been reluctant to give much credit. To a team with only one real superstar, closer Eric Gagne, and breakout star Adrian Beltre.

Lasorda's constant contenders were loaded with stars and talent. The All-Star infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Ron Cey and Bill Russell were fixtures. Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershiser, Don Sutton, Kirk Gibson, Pedro Guerrero, Reggie Smith, Mike Piazza - all among the game's elite.

This team has little star power beyond Gagne and Beltre. Yet it has again captured Los Angeles' imagination.

Somewhere along the line, the team's deep roots in the area were underestimated. Even without cover boys, when they win, the Dodgers are the Dodgers.

L.A.'s most recognized sports team. Comfy and familiar. With a classic and unique ballpark set against the Elysian Hills and dotted with palms. With uniform and hat designs that remains unchanged through the years.

In New York, the Mets had their run in the '80s, but in the end, New York was always a Yankees town. Chicago belongs to the Cubs. Los Angeles to the Dodgers.

Winning matters, of course. In L.A., it's absolutely required. This team has won more than expected, in ways not always in the prettiest fashion.

But it has been embraced, welcomed back to L.A. living rooms, to dinner conversation, a beloved friend who was never truly far from sight.

To find themselves one victory away from clinching the division, the McCourts have enjoyed their share of good fortune. But they have also tried to re-energize the ballpark, improve the team, rebuild the Dodgers name.

The organization was without genuine direction during the infamous News Corp. run. The club has enjoyed winning seasons, but hasn't been to the playoffs since that '96 season.

Now they are poised to return, and L.A. is again abuzz. Instead of serenading Kobe with chants of ``MVP,'' it is Beltre.

They lack the soap opera and intrigue and the bizarreness of the Lakers.

Yet a different Dodgers team is back in a familiar spot. Back as Los Angeles' favored team.

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Photo:

Dodgers third baseman Adrian Beltre tries to throw out Colorado's Aaron Miles in the ninth inning Wednesday.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer