Paul DePodesta could be excused for smugly saying, “I told you so” to those who protested his dismantling of the first Dodger team to win a playoff game in 16 years. He’s not, though, even as some of his seemingly questionable moves seem to be paying off.

“Everyone wants to get out of the gate well, so that certainly puts a sense of importance on the games early on,” DePodesta said. “But I don’t necessarily feel anything above and beyond that. I had a lot of confidence in these guys. It’s been easy to be proud of them.”

Indeed, Jeff Kent has been everything the Dodgers thought he would be and more, while fellow free agent J.D. Drew has come to life after beginning the season hitless in his first 25 at bats. Derek Lowe has pitched well at times, Brad Penny may become the ace of the staff and catcher Jason Phillips has beefed up a position at which the Dodgers were sorely weak.

Only three players from the nine that started last year’s lone playoff game win over the Cardinals remain, but one of them, Cesar Izturis, may be blossoming into the best shortstop in the league.

Still, the wholesale changes were hard to swallow for a team that only had one manager its first 19 years in Los Angeles.

For decades, the Dodgers won enough to keep things interesting, the upper deck seats behind home plate were some of the best deals in baseball and the sound of the stadium’s organ always announced the arrival of another season.

In the stands, people munched on cold Dodger Dogs, listened to Scully on portable radios and left by the eighth inning to beat traffic.

Scully is 77 now, and still seems as fresh as the day he began broadcasting for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950, though the team made a mistake by letting fellow announcer Ross Porter go after last season. Fans are still leaving early, but the early season comebacks are now making them think twice about staying.

It’s too early to declare these Dodgers a playoff contender, but the signs are encouraging. DePodesta has assembled a team he feels can be competitive, and says he isn’t averse to adding more salary to a payroll in the low $90 million range during the season if need be.

In a time of flux not seen by the Dodger organization since Walter O’Malley uprooted the team from Brooklyn nearly a half-century ago, simply winning again might be the best change yet for these Dodgers.

That, and perhaps warming up the Dodger Dogs.

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