STEPPING UP TO THE FASHION PLATE : ARTFUL DODGERS MIKE PIAZZA, ERIC KARROS SUIT UP FOR A SHOT AT FASHION'S MVP AWARD.

Byline: Story by Barbara De Witt Photos by David Sprague

If you think baseball players hang out in smelly sweats, spitting chewing tobacco, you've seen too many old movies.

At least with the Los Angeles Dodgers, that image is a thing of the past. These guys are perhaps the most fashionable athletes in the country.

Alex Rodriguez, a West Hills clothier, is the fashion manager for more than half of the Dodger team, including All-Stars Mike Piazza and Eric Karros.

His first Dodger clients were Brett Butler and Orel Hershiser. He has learned that Dodger style goes beyond good manners and clean fingernails; the media interviews and personal appearances required of major athletes today require charm and fashion confidence.

``The Dodgers have a team image to maintain, on and off the field,'' Rodriguez said. ``They're expected to be clean-cut ... as American as apple pie ... so that people will feel safe with them.

``Mike and Eric have a high taste level, and they'd never be seen with an earring or flashy jewelry or clothes,'' said Rodriguez. ``They like both European and American designers, keep up with trends and can talk about fabric or silhouettes, which makes my job a lot of fun.''

So what's the fashion strategy that carries them from playoff games to guest spots on ``Baywatch''?

Piazza, winner of the league's Most Valuable Player award at this year's All-Star game, is more avant-garde in his taste than many of the players. He likes his clothes on the cutting edge, prefers bright primary colors - such as red and yellow - and abstract prints on his ties and sport shirts. When it comes to suits, he likes four-button single-breasted designs custom-made by Rodriguez to accommodate his 46-inch chest and 33-inch waist. He often wears Versace ties, but he's also fond of Hugo Boss and Donna Karan designs.

He doesn't go in for glitzy status symbols, but he loves Bally shoes. ``They're the best, especially in skins like crocodile,'' he said. ``But I'm not into exotic skin cowboy boots.''

Karros, who hosted last week's 65 Roses Club fashion show, has equally sophisticated fashion tastes, more traditional than Piazza's.

Also in need of custom-made suits - he's a 46 long with a 34-inch waist - Karros prefers classic double-breasted six-button suits in earth tones such as taupe, brown, cream and charcoal, instead of black. He's a fan of understated style, so you'll find him in suits with a subtle stripe or textured weave to enhance the intricately woven ties of American designer Jhane Barnes. Other designers on his score card would include Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani, but he likes to play the fashion field.

His favorite accent colors, besides Dodger blue, are teal and dark emerald, and his taste in shoes leans to soft lace-up styles, but he also likes traditional wing tips, and wears black patent pumps with his tuxedo.

Away from the spotlight and the watchful eye of their fashion manager, the look is laid-back, but you won't find any preppy plaids or khakis in their closets.

According to Karros, ``I like to wear shorts around the house. And when it comes to jeans, I prefer the relaxed fit, with sneakers and a T-shirt instead of a polo shirt. And I'm the type who'd wear a ball cap instead of a cowboy hat.''

Best bud Piazza says, ``ditto.''

The Dodgers' 1-2 punch also agree on the clothes they'd never be caught dead in: bikini briefs. It looks like a home run for boxers.

CAPTION(S):

8 Photos, 2 Boxes

Photo: (1--Cover--Color) Swinging Singles

Dodge rs bachelors Mike Piazza & Eric Karros put down their bats and gloves to join us for a fashion make-over

(2--Color) BEFORE: L.A. Dodger all-stars Mike Piazza and Eric Karros in their home-game uniforms.

(3--Color) It's primp time in the Dodgers' locker room.

(4--Color) AFTER: Piazza, left, and Karros have gone from home plate to fashion plate with elegant evening suits by Alex Rodriguez. Piazza prefers a black suit, dressed up with a glitzy Versace vest, while Karros favors the traditional double-breasted tuxedo, accented with a bow tie and vest by Nicole Miller. Makeup by Andrea Migas; styling by Barbara De Witt.

(5--Color) First baseman Eric Karros is all business in this peaked-lapel, double-breasted suit by Alex Rodriguez, a West Hills clothier and fashion consultant to the Dodgers. His tie is by Jhane Barnes; shoes by Ferragamo.

(6--Color) Mike Piazza makes a nice catch in an Italian-inspired suit by Alex Rodriguez, accented with a Versace tie and Bally crocodile shoes.

(7--Coor) Checking out the view from the bleachers are Karros in a silk geometric-print sport shirt by Dino Baldini and Piazza in bold stripes by Cafe.

(8) Mike Piazza, left, and Eric Karros may be the stars on the field, but when it comes to their wardrobes, Alex Rodriguez, center, is the boss. For 19 years, Rodriguez has been dressing major leaguers, including former Dodger great Orel Hershiser, now of the Cleveland Indians, and Baltimore Orioles all-star Roberto Alomar.

David Sprague/Daily News

Box: (1) Style scoreboard

(2) PERSONAL STATS