DECORATED DODGER: CEY STILL BIG HIT WITH FANS

Ever since he left Los Angeles, the Dodgers have been searching for his replacement at third base. After 25 years, they're still waiting for the next Ron Cey to show up.

The 59-year-old Dodgers great, nicknamed "The Penguin" for his waddling gait, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the 51s' 4-3 win over Fresno at Cashman Field on Saturday night and then signed autographs for fans.

A long line of people waited patiently to relive the glory days with Cey, who looked fit and wore his familiar mustache 26 seasons after helping Los Angeles to a World Series title over the New York Yankees.

"A lot of it is part of the history and rich tradition of our Dodgers ballclub, which we're trying to slowly creep back into," said Cey, in his 26th year with the Dodgers organization and 11th working in the team's marketing and community relations department. "Most of it stems back to the era we played in, pretty much the unspoiled times and the great teams we had."

Cey, a six-time National League All-Star, hit .261 with 316 home runs in 17 big league seasons (1971-87), including 12 with Los Angeles (1971-82).

Cey played in four World Series with the Dodgers -- in 1974, 1977, 1978 and 1981 -- and was part of the longest-running infield in baseball history.

The All-Star infield, which also featured first baseman Steve Garvey, second baseman Davey Lopes and shortstop Bill Russell, played together for 8 1/2 years, a record that might never be broken.

"It's something that has a very good chance of being there for many years, simply because of the way things are done today," Cey said. "With the individual and team success we had, they couldn't have afforded to keep us together. Every player in that infield was a multiple All-Star.

"It was a very decorated group that achieved the ultimate goal of being world champions. I'm quite sure if I hadn't been able to achieve that, I wouldn't feel the way I do about my career. It would've been a little short."

As things stand, Cey, who earned World Series co-Most Valuable Player honors in 1981 despite getting beaned by Goose Gossage in Game 5, sounded satisfied with his playing career.

"I happen to stand in a very elite group," said Cey, the Dodgers' career home run leader among third basemen. "There are plenty of Hall of Famers out there that didn't have the opportunity to play with some teams that were able to at least get to the World Series, but to win the world championship, I've got something they want, and that's not debatable.

"I really don't need someone to validate my career based on a vote."

This year's Dodgers could use someone like Cey, who was part of the first foursome of 30-home run hitters on one team, in 1977. Los Angeles ranks 29th of 30 teams in the majors with 39 home runs through 61 games, and Cey can't believe Los Angeles slugger Nomar Garciaparra has only one homer after more than a third of the season.

"That is really incredible to me and something nobody has focused on out here, and I don't know why," Cey said. "It's something I don't understand. We have to rely on our veteran leadership with Jeff Kent, Garciaparra and Luis Gonzalez and let the others fill in."

Despite the lack of power, Cey predicts the Dodgers will win the NL West this year.

"But I don't think, at this point, we're guaranteed to be in the National League Championship Series," he said. "There are other teams out there that are better right now. We still have some work to do. Our pitching staff has to be the dominant part of our club."

Cey said he hasn't kept up with the progress of the Dodgers' minor leaguers but was impressed with former 51s Tony Abreu and Matt Kemp, as well as James Loney.

"What you do in Triple A doesn't necessarily mean you're a lock in major league baseball," he said. "You've got to wait your turn, make the best of your time and hope you're ready when that opportunity comes."