THE PRESSURE’S ON

Bill Russell wouldn’t want Dodger fans to think he’s pleased that Mike Piazza now wears a Florida Marlin uniform.

He couldn’t be happier, he simply wouldn’t want anyone to know.

The truth is, the manager was at his wit’s end with the situation surrounding the former franchise player--as well as ongoing problems at key positions.

Russell was angry because he believed Piazza’s emotions regarding his contract situation had affected his performance.

His disappointment in Piazza was evident to reporters covering the team in the tense days before the trade, as was his relaxed disposition Friday night after the completion of the historic seven-player deal.

Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson, Jim Eisenreich and Manuel Barrios came to the organization for Piazza and Todd Zeile, altering the course of the formerly cautious Dodger franchise in one stunning move. And when the Dodgers sent Piazza packing, for players who helped address their needs, many of Russell’s problems left along with him.

“Something had to change,” Russell said Sunday afternoon after the team’s 6-3 victory over the Montreal Expos at Dodger Stadium.

“The players weren’t having any fun, the fans weren’t having any fun and I wasn’t having any fun. You see a different team out there now. This has been a big change for the better for everyone.”

But the horizon isn’t quite clear yet for the guy at the helm.

The top decision makers at 1000 Elysian Park Ave. expect big things from their revamped team, and their corporate superiors in Century City are watching closely. Russell is the man in the spotlight more than ever and, as recent events have proved, Dodger and Fox Group officials won’t hesitate to make bold moves.

Russell is in the second year of a two-year, $700,000 contract, and how the team fares in the weeks ahead will determine his long-term future in Dodger Blue. The clock starts now.

“My feeling was that the team we had before [the trade] was capable of being very successful, and that we already had many of the right players in place,” said Fred Claire, executive vice president.

“Having said that, there is no question in my mind that, when we look at our club today, that we’re a much-improved club. So anything less than winning and being in the postseason would be considered a disappointment.”

The players agree.

“Everyone realizes what the trade means,” second baseman Eric Young said. “You can’t add the guys we’ve added and fail to get the job done--and get it done in a big way.

“The guys who go out there every day, we’re the ones who have to perform to our capabilities. The responsibility is all on us.”

Well, not entirely. Russell must blend the combination of old and new into a cohesive group.

Poor chemistry is used too often as an excuse for ballclubs that supposedly underachieve. Inevitably in such situations, a manager’s ability to push the correct buttons is questioned.

With the potential of the Dodger batting order, if the team struggles offensively as it did in the 40 games before the trade, Russell knows much of the blame will fall on him.

“We know what this lineup is capable of doing, but you’ve got to give guys a chance to get comfortable,” he said. “You can’t say, all of a sudden, that we’re going to be in the World Series, because it just doesn’t work that way. You can’t expect everything to happen overnight.”

For the most part, that’s exactly what his bosses expect.

The blockbuster deal was brokered by team President Bob Graziano, on command from the highest levels of the Fox Group, because the team was going nowhere with its previous makeup.

Of course, that wasn’t Russell’s fault.

The Dodgers’ refusal to pursue premier free agents in the off-season, because of payroll concerns, handcuffed Russell. Claire realized that he left his manager with unresolved concerns in center field and left field, and that acquiring a proven closer would have helped inspire confidence.

Contrary to public opinion, Claire would sign an all-star for every position if his hands weren’t often tied. Graziano’s weren’t.

“We had talented players before, that wasn’t the problem,” Russell said. “But these guys have won a World Series [last season], and that’s something our guys haven’t experienced. They’ve come in here and helped our confidence, and they’ve helped us take a step in the right direction.”

Some players said that Russell has managed nervously since spring training because of the uncertainty of his status in the New Dodger Order. But with everything he has had to deal with, who could blame him?

And not only this season. Russell was deeply hurt last season when former manager Tom Lasorda said that, if he were a general manager, Bobby Valentine would be his first choice to manage his team. Their once-close relationship hasn’t been the same since.

“Bill has handled everything that has happened since he’s been here very well,” said Claire, Russell’s chief supporter in the Dodger front office.

“He has had a lot to deal with, and that isn’t easy with all of his duties as manager of the Dodgers. Billy cares and he’s doing a good job. More than anything, I’d like to keep the pressure off of him.”

However, Claire knows that’s easier said than done with this regime. He could insulate Russell from many distractions when the Dodgers were a family-run operation under former owner Peter O’Malley.

He can’t anymore, especially considering Claire has called his own standing into question.

“Obviously, it would help if we won eight of 10,” Claire said. “But it’s not a question of my confidence in Billy. I am completely confident in him.”

Russell isn’t without his supporters in the clubhouse as well.

“He treats everyone like men,” Young said of Russell, his manager at triple-A Albuquerque in 1992.

“He wants input from players, and he wants everyone to feel like they’re contributing to the team. All you have to do for Bill Russell is work hard and do your job. If you can’t play for Bill Russell, you can’t play for anyone.”

By current standards, Russell’s salary of $350,000 a year is comparatively low. But he was given one of the premier jobs in baseball with little experience, and the Dodgers wanted to observe him on the job before making a bigger commitment.

For the first time, they have provided him with the tools needed to meet their enormous expectations. And they resolved the primary situation that was causing him headaches.

The rest is up to Russell.

“Billy knows what his responsibilities are to this organization, and he knows what’s expected of the manager of the Dodgers,” Claire said. “Billy knows what he has to do.”

The guys in the big offices are counting on it.