On a brighter note for LA outfield depth, looking at Vero Beach it appears both X.Paul and J. Hoffman are starting to hit a bit. Also Dewitt is doing respectably although the same can't be said for Denker.

"Dear Mr. Eric Enders:

My greetings and respect for you. It is written for you a Cuban man. I am 39 years old and I am Assistant editor and sports commentator in the CMHS Radio Caibarien.

I am also the most loyal fan from the Major League Baseball and Los Angeles Dodgers (now with the Cuban Danys Baez) in Cuba since 1986, which I have heard about on the foreign radio, beacause the professional baseball is not broadcasted here in my country and there is not any publications or videos in this regard.

The last month I was the most happy man of the world watching the games of the first World Baseball Classic, with the second place of the Cuban team. ...

Sincerely yours,
Ibrahim Rojas
MLB I live for this. GOD BLESS AMERICA."

In the letter he asks for some MLB materials and publications to be sent to him because that stuff is unavailable in Cuba. I'm going to send him some stuff I have around the house, but I thought I'd post this here in case any of you have any Dodger publications that you care to send him -- programs, old media guides, VHS tapes of games, whatever.

If you want to send him something, his address is

Ibrahim Rojas
Calle Alonso #1910
Caibarien, VC 52610
Cuba

You can send stuff to Cuba via the US Postal Service just like you can to any other country. Interestingly, his letter was postmarked from Cuba on May 24th and took only six days to get to me in New York State. That's quicker than mail I get from California sometimes.

One of the coolest things about going to Cuba was hanging out at "La Esquina Caliente," the section of Havana's Central Park which is set aside for baseball discussion. People hang out there and just discuss and argue about baseball all day. We took a lot of publications and MLB materials with us to give those guys, and they just ate it up and were extremely grateful. We also took a bunch of equipment like baseballs, old gloves, and baseball cards to give to the kids at the Cuban baseball academies.

http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2005/sr05_054.htm

Scroll 3/4 of the way down.

Here's the description of one of them:

Largest Land Mammal: American Bison
American bison typically reach 7 to 11 feet in length and weigh 900 to 2,200 pounds. They feed primarily on grasses and can run nearly 30 miles an hour. Full-grown bulls stand 6 feet or more at the shoulder.

Use that to send your fan mail to Matt Kemp.

maybe i'll talk my fiancee into going there for our honeymoon.

Is there any doubt now that this is the appropriate nickname?

http://www.cubaballtours.com/

He didn't have a license when I went, but I was going as a journalist so I didn't have any problems.

Going to Cuba is not a crime, but a civil offense punishable only by fine. It is very possible to go through Canada without a license, but you're taking a risk of getting fined when you get back. However, even if you don't have a license it's pretty easy to go and return without the treasury cops being the wiser.

Of course, if that were the case, I don't know if she would want to go back.

Personally, I think a much finer baseball honeymoon would be going to St. Louis or Kansas City.

Preferably in mid-August.

plus, she's a communist.

Wow, you don't find too many of those these days. Old school gal, eh?

Well, at least until you announce it on the internet. :)