Surprise, surprise: Steve Soboroff trying the low-key approach?

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The Dodgers return Friday night to open a brief six-game homestand, which seems a perfect time to mention who was all but invisible during the last homestand:

“Bulldog” Steve Soboroff.

Seems Frank McCourt actually did put a leash on his wild hair vice chairman of something or another.

During the Last seven games at Dodger Stadium, Soboroff was nowhere to be seen, which naturally had me wondering if he had been fired after McCourt had to apologize to Major League Baseball after Soboroff’s latest verbal attack.

But, no, I was assured he was still in the fold, if just less publicly prominent. Seems McCourt finally understood that if you’re trying to get the commissioner of baseball to approve a TV deal to save your ownership, it probably isn’t the best idea to have your latest lackey trying to take a bite out of us butt every other day. When Soboroff was hired last month, in yet one more desperate move by McCourt to rebuild his sullied image, he was visible in the dugout and the press box. He walked around the stadium introducing himself to fans, handing out pins, as if he were personally going to win back each one in Los Angeles. And, of course, he was media ready.

Now I’m not saying there isn’t one word Soboroff has spoken that McCourt doesn’t think -- remember, he’s been involved with the Dodgers just over five weeks -- but you have to know when it’s unwise to verbalize them.

Soboroff’s still being on the job doesn’t mean the Dodgers’ front-office carousel has ended.

Did you wave goodbye to Geoffrey Wharton? Did you know he was here?

Wharton was the team’s chief operating officer who was supposedly going to take over most of the duties of club president Dennis Mannion, who was pushed out in the off-season.

Wharton’s background was in real estate. Same as Soboroff.

Maybe Wharton is a great guy. Never met him, but they come and go so quickly around here. Wharton lasted a year and some change, which may look like a lifetime’s work with the Dodgers compared to Soboroff’s final tenure.

-- Steve Dilbeck