There wasn’t much news in the announcement that new Dodger Wally Moon had signed his contract. No figures were announced and Frank Finch’s short story didn’t even speculate on an amount.

But the story was one of several in February that together showed how the Dodgers were rebuilding and in the process changing from the Boys of Summer to the Lads of Los Angeles.

There was a bigger headline Feb. 1 after Gil Hodges signed his contract because it involved a pay cut from his 1958 salary of $36,000. Finch called Hodges "a self-admitted psychological victim of the Coliseum’s Bamboo Curtain" even though he tied with Charlie Neal for the club lead in home runs.

Another veteran Dodger, Carl Erskine, signed for $17,000, The Times reported on Feb. 13. He would have to fight for a job after a 4-4 record in 1958.

Two other stories updated the careers of up-and-coming Dodgers. Jim Gilliam got a raise to about $22,000. Gilliam had been the subject of trade rumors during the winter after leading the Dodgers in games played. And the Sherry brothers, pitcher Larry and catcher Norm, signed their deals for 1959.

–Keith Thursby