Ovation Made Opener Memorable for Butler

For 17 seasons, Brett Butler has been so nervous for his first at-bat on the opening day of baseball season that he sets a rather modest goal. Brett, he tells himself, don’t strike out.

Butler was intent on avoiding that embarrassment as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter Tuesday, so intent that the standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 53,079 as he entered the batter’s box didn’t register until his concentration was broken by Philadelphia catcher Mike Lieberthal.

“Man,” Lieberthal said, “that’s awesome.”

Butler took a step back, out of the batter’s box, and listened, recognizing he was among a few fortunate people able to experience a moment of a lifetime for a second time. The fans had given him the same reception when he returned to the field Sept. 6 after last summer’s surgery to remove cancer from his throat.

Letting the warmth from this Dodger Stadium ovation wash over him, he reminded himself that he doesn’t want to miss anything this season, his last as a player before he retires.

“These are memories I’m building that will last for a lifetime,” Butler said.

Then he struck out.

On this opening day, that was no embarrassment. Phillie pitcher Curt Schilling was dominating in a 3-0 victory, throwing 83 strikes in 126 pitches and striking out 11 in eight innings.

The Dodgers managed only two hits, both infield singles. They got the last one in the third inning, a chopper up the middle that Butler legged out.

“Not bad for 39,” Butler said, laughing.

It wouldn’t have been bad for 29 either. For someone who thought for most of the winter that he had played his last season, it was reinforcement for his decision to try one more.

“You’re hoping you can still do it,” he said. “Then you get a good jump on it, get out of the box OK and it hits you, ‘Hey, my legs are fine; OK, I guess I’m all right here, after all.’ ”

Of course, it was only one game. But Butler is optimistic he’ll go the distance, legging out another season.

“I feel good now,” he said. “Ask me again in another 161 games.”

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Commemorative baseballs with the official Jackie Robinson 50th-anniversary logo were used in all opening-day games Tuesday. . . .

Tom Lasorda was the first to grip one at Dodger Stadium, throwing out the ceremonial first ball. Still the frustrated pitcher, he said, “I don’t know why they took me out after one pitch.” . . .

The cast from “Showboat” sang the national anthem. Barbra Streisand wasn’t available because she had to go to the ladies’ room. . . .

Former Dodger second baseman Steve Sax attended Tuesday’s game but declined an invitation to visit the clubhouse. Raul Mondesi sent out a ball for him to autograph. . . .

The Dodger opener attracted 68 fewer ticket buyers than the Galaxy’s crowd of 53,147 Saturday at the Rose Bowl. . . .

An estimated 10,000 more Dodger fans whose cable companies don’t offer Fox Sports West 2 took advantage of the network’s offer to see the game on jumbo screens at five locations around L.A. and Orange counties. . . .

Schilling started the game with a lifetime record of 52-52. If that wasn’t enough of an indication that he had a 50-50 chance of winning, the Dodgers are 18-18 in home openers at Dodger Stadium. . . .

The Dodgers hadn’t been shut out on opening day since 1970, when Cincinnati’s Gary Nolan beat them, 4-0. . . .

The only other time they were shut out on opening day since moving from Brooklyn was in their first game as Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958. They lost at San Francisco, 8-0. Don Drysdale was the losing pitcher. . . .

Good news: The Dodgers’ defense looked solid, especially up the middle. . . .

Better news: The Phillies don’t have another Schilling. . . .

The Angels hope Boston’s Tom Gordon doesn’t pitch as well against them in tonight’s opener at the Big A as Schilling did against the Dodgers. Gordon was available before last season, but the Angels signed Jim Abbott. . . .

Perhaps signing Gordon would have made too much sense. He’s a right-hander.

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While wondering if the Dodgers or Galaxy will score first, I was thinking: maybe the Dodgers were just trying to help Schilling with his contract; Phillie third baseman Scott Rolen shouldn’t be overlooked as a rookie-of-the-year candidate; at least Vin Scully was in midseason form.