By the time Orel Hershiser reaches Dodger Stadium this evening to interview for the managerial opening, General Manager Paul DePodesta will have heard from scouts, minor league coordinators and perhaps even farm director Terry Collins ? who also happens to be a leading candidate to become manager ? during the first day of organizational meetings. Then he will resume searching for the next Bobby Cox. The Atlanta Brave skipper is the preeminent active manager in DePodesta's estimation, embodying humility, adaptability, composure in the dugout, and, oh, don't forget those 14 consecutive playoff appearances. Hershiser, the former Dodger pitching great, will have the full attention of DePodesta and his assistants, Kim Ng and Roy Smith, for several hours. Dodger President Jamie McCourt probably will pop into the room, as she did during interviews with other candidates, as will Tom Lasorda, special advisor to owner Frank McCourt. Hershiser, 47, the Texas Ranger pitching coach since 2002, is anticipating Dodger reservations about his never having managed at any level and about the nearly nonexistent success former pitching coaches have had as managers.