DODGERS YANK OREL HERSHISER GIVEN RELEASE, ENDS `ROUGH COUPLE OF DAYS'.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer

Bob Daly considers himself a Dodgers fan, but as Dodgers chief executive officer, watching Orel Hershiser pitch Monday night was too disconcerting. Something had to be done.

``As I watched him walk off the mound,'' Daly said, ``I said, `That was the last time he'd pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers.' ''

So on Tuesday afternoon, the Dodgers waived the 41-year-old right-hander who Daly was instrumental in getting back this season. He was a hero of the 1988 World Series. Now, he's gone, perhaps having stayed too long. Eric Gagne took his roster spot and started Tuesday against San Diego.

``I think everyone was rooting for him, hoping it could happen,'' Daly said. ``But after (Monday) night, we just couldn't . . . We have an obligation to the fans and the other 24 men on the ballclub. We've got a shot to be in the thick of things in September.''

Hershiser won the home opener April 14 against Cincinnati but struggled since and was 1-5 with a 13.14 ERA at the time of his release.

He tried everything to find himself. He pitched in the bullpen and even went to Single-A San Bernardino, where he was 1-0 with a 3.06 ERA in three starts.

But it didn't work. He was rocked for five runs and six hits in four-plus innings June 16 against St. Louis, then threw just 26 pitches Saturday in St. Louis and gave up eight earned runs in 1 2/3 innings Monday night.

Hershiser also had hit 11 batters.

``I understand and support the club's decision of giving me my release after the way I performed,'' Hershiser said in a statement released by the team. ``I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to play for the Dodgers this season. I need a few days to weigh these recent events and to spend time with my family and friends in order to discuss my future.''

Hershiser leaves as among the team leaders in ERA, starts, strikeouts, innings, victories, complete games and shutouts. He also won the 1988 Cy Young Award, NLCS MVP, World Series MVP and broke Don Drysdale's 58-inning scoreless streak.

He also overcame major shoulder surgery in 1991.

Dodger players were understandably saddened.

``It's been a rough couple of days,'' manager Davey Johnson said. ``He's very special and he's a good friend. I love talking baseball with him. . . . This is not the way I had envisioned (the end). It's emotional for me.''

Hershiser is owed $2 million this season with a club option for $2 million next season and a $500,000 buyout.

Hershiser clears waivers Thursday. If a team claims him before then, the Dodgers pay his salary. If no one claims him, he's a free agent and can negotiate with any team, but the Dodgers still must pay him.

Officially, he hasn't retired, but privately, several people wished he would.

Daly said on the Dodger pregame radio show he told Hershiser he should retire. Dodgers coach Rick Dempsey, a Hershiser teammate in 1988 said, ``I'm sure Orel will do the right thing.''

When asked to explain, Dempsey said, ``Only Orel can answer that. I can't go up to him and say, `It's time to retire.' Very few guys are like Orel Hershiser, when they come back from so many obstacles, they're the toughest guys to put the cleats down.''

Should Hershiser decide to retire, Daly said he would talk to Hershiser at the end of the season about a job in the organization, but it depends on what Hershiser wants to do. Meanwhile, all posts are filled.

``First, he has to decide to retire,'' Daly said. ``Then, what does he want to do with his life? He's intelligent, and if he wants to stay in baseball, is there a role? I don't know. Does he want to coach? Manage? Be a broadcaster? Work in the front office?

``My gut feeling is he'll take time off.''

HERSHISER FILE

Name: Orel Hershiser

Age: 41

Career highlights: Drafted by Dodgers in 17th round of 1979 first-year player draft. . . . Brought up to L.A. in 1983, pitching eight innings. . . . Breakthrough season was 1985 when he was 19-3 with a 2.03 ERA. . . . On Dodgers' 1988 World Series championship team, he was 23-8 with a 2.26 ERA. . . . That year, he was a unanimous choice for the NL Cy Young Award. . . . He broke Don Drysdale's major-league record for consecutive scoreless innings with 59.0 from August 8, 1988 through the end of the season. . . . In the '88 postseason, was 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA and was named MVP of the NLCS and World Series. . . . He ranks among the all-time Dodgers leaders in 11 pitching categories. . . . Came back from right shoulder surgery during 1990 season and was named UPI Comeback Player of the Year.

CAREER STATS

Year...Team......W-L....ERA....IP......H......SO....BB

1983...Dodgers.. 0-0... 3.38... 8.0... 7.... 5... 6

1984...Dodgers..11-8... 2.66...189.2...160....160...150

1985...Dodgers..19-3... 2.03...239.2...179....157... 68

1986...Dodgers..14-14.. 3.85...231.1...213....153... 86

1987...Dodgers..16-16.. 3.06...264.2...247....178... 73

1988...Dodgers..23-8... 2.26...267.0...208....178... 73

1989...Dodgers..15-15.. 2.31...256.2...226....178... 77

1990...Dodgers.. 1-1... 4.26... 25.1... 26.... 16... 4

1991...Dodgers.. 7-2... 3.46...112.0...112.... 73... 32

1992...Dodgers..10-15.. 3.67...210.2...209....130... 69

1993...Dodgers..12-14.. 3.59...215.2...201....141... 72

1994...Dodgers.. 6-6... 3.79...135.1...146.... 72... 42

1995...Cleve....16-6... 3.87...167.1...151....111... 51

1996...Cleve....15-9... 4.24...206.0...238....125... 58

1997...Cleve....14-6... 4.47...195.1...199....107... 69

1998...San Fran.11-10.. 4.41...202.0...200....126... 85

1999...N.Y.(N)..13-12.. 4.58...179.0...175.... 89... 79

2000...Dodgers.. 1-5...13.14... 24.2... 42.... 13... 14

Totals.........204-150 3.48 3,105.2 22,939 2,014 1,007

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box, chart

Photo:

(1 -- color) Orel Hershiser was given his release on Tuesday, ending what manager Davey Johnson called `a rough couple of days'

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

(2 -- color) no caption (Orel Hershiser)

Box: HERSHISER FILE (see text)

Chart: CAREER STATS (see text)