Today’s lineup has a choose-your-own-adventure in it. Russell Martin got hit by a pitch on his hand last night and it’s pretty sore, so they’re waiting to see how he does at BP before deciding if he’ll start or Toby Hall will. Otherwise, it’s the same as yesterday. Stay tuned on the backstop.

Furcal, SS

Lofton, CF

Nomar, 1B

Drew, RF

Ethier, LF

Aybar, 3B

Martinez, 2B

Hall/Martin, C

Lowe, P

Last week I had the honor of representing the club at the All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. I will admit that I requested the assignment because of my ties to Pittsburgh and the Pirate organization. It was a chance for me to see my old friends both inside and outside the organization.  While it was great to renew old aquatances, my primary function was to attend the Futures Game and to meet with as many opposing front office people to determine where their thought process was leading up to the trade deadline on July 31.

The city of Pittsburgh did a great job and the country was able to see how beautiful PNC Park is. However, as the All-Star Game has grown into the three-day celebration it is today, less front office members attend. Ten years ago, the game was the site of intense trade negotiations and almost all of the clubs sent represetatives. Now, with communication and technology making the world so much smaller, not as many baseball people attend.

The Futures Game is always fun to watch. Joel Guzman and Chin-lung Hu played for the World Team along with Jacksonville manager John Shoemaker, who was a coach. Being able to put faces to names of the best prospects in the minor leagues is important for someone in my position.

From Pittsburgh, I traveled to Las Vegas to watch our Triple-A club. I had planned on staying through Sunday morning. However, on Saturday I was called away by Ned to scout a big league player we are thinking of trading for. It is one of the many functions of my job that I really enjoy. That players name is…oh, I forgot. I can’t tell you that.

Yes, as a team, that’s what we’re attempting to do. As a city, Phoenix has already accomplished that feat. Good thing the roof is on and the a/c is kicking in here at Chase Field.

Also, our sincere condolences go out to the family of Bud Furillo, who passed away last night. Bud was a longtime local writer and radio personality, serving as host of DodgerTalk on KABC. He was just in the press box at Dodger Stadium last week and seemed in good spirits, so it’s very sad to hear of his passing.

Now, for a little anecdote.

As a kid, I used to play backyard baseball with the guys across the street who were four, six and eight years older than me. While the better competition probably helped me get better, it was always disheartening when, as a 12-year-old, I would face the 18-year-old, Robbie, who would switch-hit to make it more competitive. Just when I was winning by five runs in the last inning with two outs, there would suddenly be four "right-handers" on deck and inevitably, they’d all homer and I’d end up losing the game.

I thought back to that earlier today when playing golf (yes, again) with Fernando Valenzuela, who makes me feel like a 12-year-old playing against a 25-year-old. He shot even par, which he does almost every time we play, and though I didn’t wind up walking back across the street in tears, I did return to my hotel room, defeated.

Why do I bring you this nonsense on a hot summer day? Because you, too, have a chance to play golf with Fernando or one of the current Dodgers, former Dodgers, celebrities or local TV personalities in the upcoming Dodgers Dream Foundation Charity Golf Invitational. The event is a week from Thursday at Trump National Golf Club in Palos Verdes and though I know it’s not cheap for a round of golf, it’s a full day of events that are well worth it. And most importantly, it’s for charity. So, if you’re interested, call 323.224.1413 and talk to David Brennan, who is organizing the event.

As for the game, Jeff Kent did go on the DL today, finally realizing that his oblique was not getting any better. Willy Aybar got recalled and is in the starting lineup. Brett Tomko should be leaving for a rehab assignment soon but first will throw some BP to hitters on the field here on Thursday.

The lineup:

Furcal, SS

Lofton, CF

Nomar, 1B

Drew, RF

Ethier, LF

Aybar, 3B

Martinez, 2B

Martin, C

Billingsley, P

As I was typing the lineup here in Grady’s office, Eric Gagne just walked in to say hello. It’s really good to see him moving well, even if he is a bit sunburned. And, even if he can’t pitch for us this season, with all he’s meant to the organization, it’s truly great to know that he’s feeling well and on the road to recovery.

On that note, so is Cesar’s wife, Liliana, who gave birth to the couple’s second child a few hours ago. Daniella was born earlier today and they’re all doing very well.

Today is Charley Steiner’s birthday, so last night a group of us went out to dinner to celebrate. Several of our TV and radio production crew, along with Charley, Mariano Duncan, A Martinez, myself and team photographer Jon SooHoo. This morning was some very early morning golf (7 a.m. tee time) with SooHoo and Dan Warthen and then over to the ballpark, where we had a brief press conference for J.D. Drew and his brother, Stephen, who just got called up to the D-backs.

Just about every radio station in town wants to talk to Andre Ethier, who grew up here and was just telling me about his memories sitting in the upper deck here for Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. It’s got to be pretty cool to go from that to starting in left field where his favorite player, Luis Gonzalez, patrolled that game.

For those who haven’t taken part in a WIN (Women’s Initiative & Network) event, gather up your mothers, daughters, wives, sisters and girlfriends for this Saturday’s clinic. Jeff Kent and Brad Penny will be there to instruct the group.

Here’s today’s lineup:

Furcal, SS

Lofton, CF

Nomar, 1B

Drew, RF

Kent, 2B

Saenz, 3B

Ethier, LF

Martin, C

Sele, P

So, it’s only 94 degrees at first pitch here, but as Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register so aptly put it, it feels like we’re on the surface of the sun. At least it’s a nice view from the sun, with the arch beyond center field here and Albert Pujols close to putting another one through it (it was only a ground rule double).

The new computer is great, so thanks for all your offers to fix me up. Cliff and Linda in our MIS department came through, getting a new one readied and overnighted to St. Louis in short time. I’m hoping I can keep this one up and running for more than two weeks.

Speaking of Bill Plunkett, he wrote a very good piece about the shrinking number of black players in baseball and it’s definitely something everyone in baseball is aware of. The new academy in Compton is a start, but coming from the organization that brought up players like Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe, Roy Campanella and countless others after them, we’re hopeful that Matt Kemp and Russell Martin are just the start of the renaissance.

With my computer issues, I haven’t had the chance to share some thoughts about the new ballpark here and while I’m not quite as impressed as the Daily News’ Tony Jackson, who calls it "gorgeous" in his latest blog posting, they did a nice job with it. There aren’t any really defining qualities like some of the other new parks (besides the obvious arch in the skyline) but St. Louis fans are similar to Dodger fans in that they don’t seem to need stadium gimmicks to keep them interested. These are some of the most passionate fans I’ve ever seen on the road (and they were just quieted by Olmedo’s blast).

I will say, the Cardinals offer the best press box ice cream of any place around, which doesn’t mean much to most people but keeps me from melting on days like today.

Two final thoughts: nice work by Ken Gurnick on being the first to break the news of Tomko’s future in the bullpen. While nothing is set in stone, the thought that he could really thrive in short relief is an intriguing one.

Also, to the fan who asked about Jose Cruz Jr. just hitting right handed, I mentioned it to Grady this morning who said that it is something that Jose would have to do on his own but that the suggestion has probably been brought up in the past. With younger switch-hitters, it is easier to have them abandon hitting both ways and have them focus on one side of the plate. But we’re talking about a guy who ranks 19th all-time in baseball history among switch-hitters in homers. The majority have been hit left-handed and granted, it’s in far more at-bats, that’s not something you can take lightly.

The good news is, a new laptop arrived yesterday. The bad news is, there’s been nothing worth blogging about.

Today’s lineup:

Furcal, SS

Lofton, CF

Drew, RF

Kent, 2B

Saenz, 1B (Day off for Nomar, much deserved)

Ethier, LF

Izzy, 3B

Martin, C

Penny, P

Should be getting a laptop delivered to the hotel later today. We're the national game on FOX, so be sure to tune in.
Here's the lineup:

Furcal, SS

Cruz, CF

Nomar, 1B
Drew, RF
Kent, 2B
Ethier, LF
Izturis, 3B
Hall, C
Hendrickson, P

Believe it or not, another laptop went down, so probably only a lineup for today.

Furcal, SS

Lofton, CF

Nomar, 1B

Drew, RF

Kent, 2B

Ethier, LF

Izzy, 3B

Martin, C

Lowe, P

Furcal, SS

Lofton, CF

Nomar, 1B

Drew, RF

Kent, 2B

Ethier, LF

Izzy, 3B

Martin, C

Billingsley, P

Furcal, SS

Lofton, CF

Nomar, 1B

Drew, RF

Kent, 2B

Ethier, LF

Izzy, 3B

Martin, C

Billingsley, P