Is it to pay for extra security? Are they worried about the Cubans stirring up trouble? (I originally typed Cubs.)

At the WBC in 2006 at Anaheim, I learned one thing. It's cold at night in March out here.

And despite my hatred of all things Diamondback, I'm looking forward to this NLCS. Go Rockies!

This really is great to see, and you would hope the Dodgers pick up a few tips from this postseason, such as, let the youngsters play and proven veteran experience gets you the magic of Roger Clemens and Mike Mussina this year.

Knowing the Dodgers destiny for mediocrity, though, I am not as optimistic as Jon is.

Is it really true that the Dodgers are going to keep Hendrickson around? As Dwight says, "You are not off to a very good start."

Assuming Pierre is one change, who is the other..or am taking Coletti to literal..Like Pierre gets on base "an awful lot"

By the way, how was my post optimistic?

I was being sarcastic.

You did mention the Dodgers have a strong core to build upon. And I believe you held out hope that "somehow, some way, the right lessons from 2007 will have been learned, and not the wrong ones."

I thought that was optimistic.

Less than 2 years ago, Colletti infamously referred to Hendrickson as a top-10 lefty in the American League. It's not completely unreasonable to think that Ned still thinks highly of him.

But peeking.

I agree about Henderickson, by dumb luck we could do better then him.

Of course, Denver has no corner on "lousy weather in October" department. Boston and Cleveland can get pretty nasty too.

Pierre in LF is the only thing I can think of.

Didnt Billingsley pitch really real in the bullpen also though?

Maybe, just maybe good pitchers pitch good no matter where they are inserted because they are in fact "good".

Broxton/Billingsley/Penny/Kershaw/McDonald would be a very high upside rotation for around June of 2008. Trade Lowe this off-season, Expect nothing from Schmidt/Loaiza, and put the 3 kids into the rotation by the end of May.

"So now we are left with a TBS nightmare in the NLCS—two expansion teams from the middle of nowhere that no one really cares much about"

Irony...?

(& El Lay Dave--you're right about the "little ball" comment. i should have left that out. i was going for something, but nevermind.)

Broxton is far more valuable as a vicious reliever than as a guy with a mid fours ERA as a starter.

It's just your typical bitter east coast bias rearing its head again.

I scoff in your general direction.

In Southern California, night baseball games in March will not be a pleasant experience for regular inhabitants of the area.

That has to count against them.

When the Lakers and Suns play those 10:30 playoff games on TNT, do they grab much of an audience?

The only sport that gets a decent rating for its post season is the NFL, why, they play on weekends, its one and your done and people bet on the games.

I'm annoyed that I probably won't see a lot of the AL Series, but its more the time slot then the teams playing that will affect TBS's rating.

Only if it means not going to Mac Court for a Duck basketball game.

Except the Red Sox, of course. They're now as despicable to me as the Yankees. A Rox/Indians Series would be something. I can imagine Carmona and Jimenez locking horns in a Smoltz/Morris type duel...

I assume you mean pro sports because College Basketball and Football do OK.

Except in the Billy Packer ratings.

But Billy is insane.

And someone at work thinks he's insane too and tells me that every time he sees me.

It's a whole creepy circle of Billy Packer insanity.

The problem is -- who? The Giants are too easy. The Padres are too trendy. The Marlins, Nationals, Reds, and Pirates are too bad. The Phillies or Cubs would be an option, but they've been so bad for so long that it kind of seems pointless. The Brewers are too exciting. The Braves are too boring. Bob has cornered the market on the Cardinals.

That leaves the Astros and the Mets. I'll put it up to a vote: Who do I hate?

It's a no-brainer.

I'm just surprised you hated the Rockies.

Then San Diego will pick him up and he will proceed to go 85 innings with a 2.35 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

I don't hate the Red Sox. I love Manny too much. And they're managed well ("moneyball" except with the huge payroll). Sure they're ESPN's darling, but that's not all their fault.

I could hate the Mets the way they're comprised now.

If he's healthy, ready to pitch by May at the latest, and they can determine this by December, I would offer him arbitration.

Right now the back of the bullpen will be:

Saito
Broxton
Beimel (arb)
Proctor (arb)

The other 2-3 spots figure to be filled by a combo of Brazoban (another key decision), Tsao, Meloan, plus a long man or two that may or may not be acquired.

61 I hear ya, but I'm starting to question the whole "Red Sox" are managed well theme. Keeping Manny and David around seems like a no-brainer (and much props to Theo for getting David in the first place). On the other side of the ledger, they've let an awful lot of young talent slip through their fingers (Hanley, Freddy Sanchez). They played musical chairs and shortstop and found themselves with Julio Lugo when the music stopped.

1. Giants (the ur-hate)
2. Padres (developed this year)
3. Yankees

Disliked teams:
1. Mets (may move to hated list)
2. Diamondbacks
3. Rockies

Favorite teams:

1. Dodgers
2. Whoever's playing the Giants

The only thing I see to hate about the current Mets is the over-hype for Minaya, and his All Star Team approach to assembling a roster.

And the 80s, along with most of the other members of the old NL West.

The worst fans were Giants fans during the Candlestick days. Complete animals. But since Phone Co. Park opened that crowd has become pretty gentrified and laid-back.

At least Giants fans care. The fans I dislike the most are the ones who generally just don't give a hoot, like Braves and Diamondbacks fans.

And when Matt Kemp is traded for a middle reliever, things might be a little clearer.

There really isn't a team that I hate in baseball, anymore. Sometimes I think I've evolved beyond hate, and then I am reminded of the Utah Jazz and the San Antonio Spurs.

Maybe if the trend of home grown talents sticks for a while and rosters stay a bit more constant, I can find a team to loath... hope spring eternal.

I work in Culver City. I need to be in Northridge at 7:15.

What time do I need to leave Culver? Do I have any choice but to take the 405? Will Sepulveda be any better?

I saw my first career MLB game (at the age of 9) at Candlestick. Giants fans dumped beer on me.

Sepulveda would not be a better alternative unless a tanker truck explodes on the freeway.

Then I suggest ducking.

Except, your story has greater-than-zero humor.

They've sworn at me for no good reason.

They all seem to hate themselves.

I can deal with Yankee fans much easier.

I think they didn't like my Team South Africa cap.

Thanks, earth. You big jerk.

People weren't happy that I dumped the beach ball over the railing twice.

1. ANDY LAROCHE - Vegas
2. CLAYTON KERSHAW - Jacksonville
3. SCOTT ELBERT - Jacksonville
4. JAMES LONEY - L.A.
5. TONY ABREU - L.A.
6. IVAN DEJESUS JR - Jacksonville
7. JONATHAN MELOAN - Vegas
8. BLAKE DEWITT - Jacksonville
9. JOSH BELL - Inland Empire
10. PRESTON MATTINGLY - Great Lakes

I do, however, have a couple of friends who are Mets fans, and they're good folks. But we're speaking in generalities here, right?

For the most part.