Cheap Seats

Well, no brain surgery anyway

Matt Morris, 24, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, was sidelined for three months last year because of a nerve problem in his shoulder. He learned last week he will have to sit out the 1999 baseball season because of a torn elbow ligament that will require reconstructive surgery.

“I’ve gone through the shoulder and elbow now,” he said. “Hopefully, nothing will happen to the wrist.

“My head? You can’t screw that up anymore than it is.”

Just what we need, a Rodman wannabe ,

Dmitri Young had a new look Sunday, and it turned a lot of heads. The Cincinnati Reds outfielder showed up with his close-cut hair and goatee dyed orange-yellow. He chose the color.

“I would like to say it’s strawberry-orangy blond,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about it for about the last two or two-and-a-half weeks because after the game when you go to sign (autographs), people come up to me and say, `Greg Vaughn, will you sign this?’ “I think I did a little bit last year to put my name on the map … for Cincinnati and people still don’t know who I am, so I have to go through drastic measures. I’m definitely liking it and a lot of people are liking it, too.”

Well, noticing it, anyway. It reminded some folks of Dennis Rodman.

“He’d better get 59 rebounds, bat .320 and hit 29,000 homers,” coach Ken Griffey Sr. said. “When you look like that, you’d better do something other than just look like that.”

The ultimate sandlot game

A wedding at home plate followed by a Stadium Club reception?

A corporate staff meeting in the clubhouse followed by a pickup game under the lights?

A company conference on the club level concourse followed by dancing and entertainment on a temporary stage in center field?

All of it is possible at Dodger Stadium this year.

The Dodgers, looking for ways to maximize revenue as the payroll soars, plan to rent the stadium for what club president Bob Graziano describes as high-end events when the team is on the road.

Why not?

With Gary Sheffield in the lineup, the Dodgers are forced to operate something of a day-care center in left field, so why not a conference center in the infield?

“We’ve had a lot of requests in the past and shied away (from renting it) because the team’s use is first and foremost, but I think we can create a unique experience for a high-level corporate or personal event,” said Graziano. “I mean, we’ll open areas like the clubhouse and field people normally don’t get to see or take advantage of. You can rent a hotel ballroom any day… . This is a unique opportunity.”

Aside from a few concerts or off-season events, the Dodgers may have shied away from the concept in the past because Peter O’Malley didn’t want it to appear he was bleeding every penny out of the facility.

Times and economics change, along with ownership.

Now, even O’Malley supports the idea.

“It makes sense,” he said. “It’s a big property. You can put 50,000 in it, or you and your wife can rent it for a candlelight dinner on the mound.

“Hopefully, the sprinklers won’t go on.”

The last word …

“If I really got tired of it, I’d stop eating and start exercising.”

- Pro Tour golfer Tim Herron on whether he gets tired of his nickname, “Lumpy.”