Rained Out

By: Dick Cooke
Rain has turned our planned exhibition game versus China into BP in the cages for a handful who want to hit and three pitchers doing side workouts. Back the hotel by 11:30.

Rain is forecast for tomorrow as well as we anticipate a visit from President Bush. We're scheduled to finish pre-game BP by 2:30, and he is suppossed to be there at 2:35.

Davey and I have a long conversation in the hotel lobby about what he's thinking line-up and pitching-wise as the opener approaches. He's on edge - in a good way - and ready to go.

Staff dinner tonight at the USA house courtesy of MLB. The USA House is located close to the heart of Beijing, about 20 minutes from the hotel and 20-25 minutes from the village.

The USA House is run by the USOC, and they have rented this building - normally a restaurant and nightclub - for the Olympics to give athletes, coaches and staff a place to hang out if they are in the downtown area.

We have nice, relaxed, sit-down dinner with tons of great food options. Steve Cobb, who works for MLB and handles many logisitical issues here, takes a moment on behalf of MLB to thank everyone for their Olympic participation.

Back to the hotel by 9. The USA-China basketball game is on at 10 and, while we're planning to get together as a group and watch it, I doubt I'll make it that long.