Johnson Manages to Take It in Stride

MONTREAL — The victories have mounted throughout his impressive career, bringing Davey Johnson to this point.

He has succeeded on stages big and small, outlasting more celebrated managers along the way. Johnson says numbers don’t matter much to him, though fond memories do.

The Dodgers added to Johnson’s collection Monday night in a 7-0 victory over the Montreal Expos that marked his 1,000th managerial win.

The Dodgers improved to 15-11 overall and 6-1 on the nine-game trip, getting 13 hits against Expo starter Dustin Hermanson (2-3) and reliever Anthony Telford.

“It’s just a number; a 100 wins this season would mean a lot more to me than 1,000,” said Johnson, whose 13-year record is 1,000-738 (.575). He is the fifth active manager to reach 1,000 victories. “I’m not much of a historian, other than appreciating the monumental things other people accomplish.

“I remember the moments. I remember the people and the good times. There are a lot of players and teams for me to be thankful for.”

On Monday, Johnson was especially thankful pitcher Chan Ho Park and catcher Todd Hundley had big games before a typically small and dispassionate Olympic Stadium crowd of 5,132.

Park (3-2) pitched seven innings and matched his season high with eight strikeouts in winning his second game in as many starts on the trip.

“I felt really, really good before the game started,” said Park, who has lowered his earned-run average from 7.32 to 4.86 in his last two outings. “I threw a lot of fastballs; my fastball was my best pitch.

“I’ve never thrown a shutout, but I got a little blister [on his throwing hand], and 105 pitches [including 66 for strikes] is a lot. I’m happy the team got the win, and I’m happy we got the 1,000th win for the skipper.”

Park’s batterymate also has been showing positive signs.

Johnson elevated Hundley to fifth in the batting order before Monday’s game on the heels of a two-for-four performance Sunday.

He drove in the Dodger runs with a two-run home run and run-scoring single in a 12-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Hundley, who has batted as low as eighth, responded to the promotion by going three for five with two doubles and three runs batted in against the Expos.

“I guess all the extra work and patience is starting to pay off,” said Hundley, still recovering from reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow in September 1997. “Anywhere Davey wants me [to bat] is fine with me.

“With everything that I’ve been through, I’m just happy to have a major league uniform on right now and to be able to contribute to this team. That’s what makes me feel good right now.”

Setup man Alan Mills finished for Park, who came out because of blister problems, striking out four.

Left fielder Gary Sheffield also went three for five with three RBIs, and Mark Grudzielanek provided a boost in place of injured second baseman Eric Young.

Young was forced to leave in the first inning after stealing his major league-leading 18th base because of a strained right calf. Grudzielanek took over at shortstop and Jose Vizcaino moved to second, and Grudzielanek stirred things in Young’s spot in the lineup. He went three for four with three runs against his former team.

Johnson said Grudzielanek will probably bat leadoff the final two games of the series if Young is unable to play.

Young was also pleased about Johnson’s 1,000th victory.

“Everybody knows Davey is one of the best managers in the game, and you can just see the way our guys have responded to him,” Young said. “Guys want to play hard for Davey because they know what he’s about.”

So, that’s how he got to 1,000.

ADCOCK DIES: Milwaukee Brave first baseman, who broke up longest no-hitter and once hit four home runs in a game, dead at 71. Page 7

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1,000-Win Club

Most wins among active managers:

1. Tony La Russa, St. Louis, 1,578

2. Bobby Cox, Atlanta, 1,436

3. Joe Torre, N.Y. Yankees, 1,196

4. Jim Leyland, Colorado, 1,007

5. Davey Johnson, Dodgers, 1,000