PITTSBURGH — Moving to fill another hole with a familiar face, Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone reacquired center fielder and leadoff batter Tom Goodwin from the Colorado Rockies for outfielder Todd Hollandsworth and two minor leaguers before Monday's non-waiver trading deadline.
Malone brought back another former Dodger only five days after reacquiring pitcher Ismael Valdes from the Chicago Cubs, sending Hollandsworth, triple-A outfielder Kevin Gibbs and double-A left-hander Randy Dorame to the Rockies for Goodwin and $300,000.
The move reunites Goodwin, 32, the club's 1989 first-round draft pick, with former teammates Eric Karros and Dave Hansen, whom he played with in the minor leagues and parts of three seasons with the Dodgers before being released after the 1993 season. Goodwin, who also has played with the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, is under contract through 2003.
Goodwin, with the Rockies in Chicago, will join the Dodgers today before a doubleheader against the Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium. The left-handed batter is optimistic about an unexpected homecoming.
"I'm surprised, but this is the way it goes," said Goodwin, who will wear No. 28 with the Dodgers because 24, the number he prefers, was worn by former manager Walter Alston and has been retired.
"I always kind of thought I would end my career with the Dodgers. When I signed [with Colorado], I thought that was over."
Goodwin is second in the major leagues with 39 stolen bases, and has been caught only seven times. In 91 games with the Rockies, Goodwin batted .271 with a .368 on-base percentage, five home runs, 65 runs and 47 runs batted in.
However, Goodwin has been slowed because of hip injuries and slumped in July, batting .123. As a leadoff hitter, he batted .281 with a .373 on-base percentage.
He also is hitting only .208 away from Coors Field this season.
"He's a good player and excellent defensive outfielder," Karros said. "He gets the ball as good as anyone can and steals bases.
"He has slowed down a little because of injuries, but he had a really big first half of the year. Hopefully, he's ready to turn it up again."
Hollandsworth, who can become a free agent after the season, left the visitors' clubhouse to travel to Chicago without speaking to reporters. The 1996 National League rookie of the year had been uncomfortable batting leadoff, and the Dodgers did not plan to re-sign him.
