Players Will Send Letters

While Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, and his wife traveled to Atlanta on Wednesday to visit Brett Butler and his family, the Dodger players were organizing a letter-writing campaign.

Closer Todd Worrell is assembling all of the players to write personal notes or letters to Butler. They realize that Butler is having difficulty talking, and decided that instead of 25 phone calls, he could have letters to read before his next surgery.

“We wanted to let him know we are concerned and feel for his situation,” Worrell said. “He doesn’t need each of us calling him at the same time.

“Eveline [Butler’s wife] is doing pretty good. She seems to be the strong one right now. I think considering the circumstances, they’re doing pretty good.

“It’s like none of this has seeped in. It’s like a bad dream. It’s like when you wake up and hope that was just a dream.

“This just hits home. You realize there are a lot more important things in life than throwing a baseball.”

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The New York Mets, who still consider Butler as one of their own after he spent most of last season with them, were trying to get over their initial shock.

“I feel for him,” said Met pitcher Jerry DiPito, who overcame cancer himself. “I know what he’s going to go through. It’s not fun.”

Said catcher Todd Hundley, whose locker was next to Butler: “I know his mom and dad died of cancer, and now this. I can’t believe it.”

Said Met Manager Dallas Green: “You know he had cancer in his family. That’s a concern, I’m sure.”