For Joe Torre it was great being there, great coming back and great knowing the evening had raised more than $700,00 for his Safe at Home charity.

If not completely sure what to expect when Los Angeles Times columnist T.J. Simers hosted Sandy Koufax and Torre for almost 90 minutes Saturday at the Nokia Theatre, by the time Torre was back at the Dodgers spring training facility, he was at complete peace with the evening.

"It was great," Torre said. "I was just concerned about Sandy, but Sandy had a good time. He had a real good time.’’

Koufax and left-hander Clayton Kershaw flew back after the show with Torre on a private plane, landing in Phoenix around 1 a.m.

"Going back on the plane last night it did my heart some good, because those two guys just talked the whole way back,’’ Torre said.

"Talked about pitching and competing. It was great to sit around and watch and listen to it.’’

Torre and Clayton were back in camp Sunday morning, though rain forced the workout indoors. Torre said Koufax would remain in Phoenix about a week, and at some point be at camp.

Kershaw had joined Torre because Simers wanted to bring him out of the crowd during the show.

"In the middle of the show they had a picture of Sandy when he appeared in 'Dennis the Menace’ sort of helping some little kid throw a baseball,’’ Torre said. "So T.J. says, 'Here’s a young man. Why don’t you come up here?’ It’s Clayton. Not everybody knew who he was. 'What’s your name?’ Everybody had a great reaction.’’

A favorite part of the evening was when the two pitchers put their hands against each other's and Koufax’s hand engulfed Kershaw’s.

"The thing about Sandy, he had fingers that much [a couple inches] longer than Clayton’s,’’ Torre said.

Before the program began, there was a VIP dinner for sponsors behind the stage where Billy Crystal entertained the crowd.

"I think everybody really enjoyed what was going on,’’ Torre said. "It was just great.’’

Former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley and Angels owner Arte Moreno were in attendance Saturday, but current team owner Frank McCourt was not. A Dodgers spokesperson said McCourt was out of town on a previously scheduled trip and unable to change his plans after learning of the event.

-- Steve Dilbeck in Phoenix

Jeff Weaver is not only back in the Dodgers’ spring training camp, there is an excellent chance he will be back with the team when it returns to Los Angeles.

Professionally, it’s been a tumultuous past few years for Weaver. If not for his entire nine-year career.

But now he sits at his locker at Camelback Ranch as a non-roster invitee, without guarantee of a major league job, and seemingly at peace.

Weaver said he is done with the Triple-A uniform, which is the only one he wore in 2008. At age 33, and as of Wednesday a new father, he appears ready to seize his current opportunity or live with the results if he does not.

"That’s why I came back," Weaver said. "It was more of a situation where I really don’t want to do the Triple-A thing again. I’ll be content with whatever happens with me now."

He came to the Dodgers' spring training camp last year too, but when camp broke was headed to Triple-A Albuquerque. Called up on April 30, he stuck for the rest of the season.

He proved a valuable swing man for the Dodgers, finishing the season 6-4 with a 3.65 ERA in 28 games. In seven starts, he went 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA.

It’s his proven ability to both relieve and start that makes him a strong candidate to again make the Dodgers this season. Even though they were unwilling to sign him except as a non-roster invitee.

Weaver said he did have opportunities to sign a major league contract, but the Manhattan Beach resident and Northridge native wanted to remain in Los Angeles.

"There was a couple, but not a situation I wanted to encounter," he said. "Especially with the baby coming. I’m just really comfortable with the chance to be at home in a stable situation."

Unlike last season, Weaver received an opt-out clause with this year’s contract. If the Dodgers did choose to send him back down, it’s his option whether to go, become a free agent or retire.

"There was other things, but this situation is just better for me here," he said. "That’s just the way it is in this day. I mean, I’m not the only one. (Guillermo) Mota had a pretty solid year last year (3-3, 3.44 ERA) and has to do the same thing (with San Francisco).

"I think it’s just kind of the way teams are building their rosters going into spring, and then seeing what happens."

Manager Joe Torre said he expects the Dodgers to start the season with 11 or 12 pitchers. Most, however, are either strictly relievers or starters.

"We know what he did last year. He was very valuable," Torre said. "He really helped the young bullpen do the job they did. He's highly thought of, and not just an add-on as far as I’m concerned."

If right-hander James McDonald fails to capture the fifth spot in the rotation, he is likely to still make the team. He could be the one swing pitcher who threatens to knock Weaver off the roster.

__ Steve Dilbeck, in Phoenix

This part I think we know: Manny Ramirez is having fun.

Now, taking anything he says seriously is something completely different. He enjoys playing, teasing, saying or doing almost anything to get a reaction. Which he does about as any well as anyone this side of a political talk show host.

But playing with minds about how long he’ll be a Dodger, what league he’ll play in next or pretending to endorse an energy drink with a highly sexually suggestive name is one thing.

Leading an entire country on is something else.

Or perhaps you haven’t heard: Manny is going to join the portion of the Dodgers going to Taiwan for a few spring games. And then again, maybe not. Stay tuned.

Manny’s name is on the list of 33 players planning to make the Taiwan trip March 12 to 14. He volunteered for the trip, though team officials are uncertain if he will make it.

"I don't think any of us know until we get on the plane,’’ said manager Joe Torre. "I think he's very interested, let’s put it that way.’’

Manny is wavering, preventing a formal club announcement. He told The Times’ Dylan Hernandez he was undecided: "I don’t know, papi. I don’t know.’’

By now, of course, the word has leaked out and they no doubt know all about it in Taiwan. And it’s one thing for the Dodgers to go with a couple of regulars, and another world to show up with Manny.

"It certainly makes it an event when he’s there,’’ Torre said. "There’s no question. From everything I’ve heard, Taiwan is pretty excited. They’re very proud of their baseball.’’

This is a time when Manny doesn’t need to be playing around. No use teasing Taiwan that a superstar is coming, only for him to wake up tomorrow and decide otherwise.

For now, the Dodgers are leaving it up to Manny, though they would like to keep to a minimum the number of players making an international flight in the middle of spring training.

"But if people want to go, we're not going to discourage them,’’ Torre said.

Just in time to discourage Manny from waffling. Go or not, but decide.

-- Steve Dilbeck, in Phoenix

Mental toughness.

There’s a term you’d think would make Chad Billingsley cringe. Like it’s the big hole in his resume, the void still to be filled.

They praise his stuff. Exalt his curve. Appreciate his power. And then too often, question if he is mentally tough enough to put it all together and achieve greatness.

To become an ace. A stopper the Dodgers’ rotation currently lacks.

He has the stuff, but can he bring the attitude? Be unflinching in adversity? Not only rise to the challenge, but welcome it. Snare at it.

I mentioned the mental toughness question to Billingsley, and he said, "What do you mean?"

Like it was a foreign concept. So I explained, tactfully as I could.

"I don’t think it’s any issue or problem," Billingsley said. "Every time I step out on the mound, I’m doing whatever’s possible to win a baseball game.’’

This are three reasons why, despite his noticeable success the past four seasons, some are concerned he’s a tad too fragile mentally to ever achieve his full potential:

He has an easygoing demeanor and is as nice a person as you would hope to know; he failed to return inside pitches in the National League Championship Series against the Phillies two years ago; and after starting last season so well before the All-Star break (9-4, 3.38 ERA), he pitched poorly in the second half (3-7, 5.20 ERA).

So is it possible he’s too timid to be great? Can he find his inner Don Drysdale? Does he have the drive to reach the next level?

Billingsley said he has lofty goals and the will to achieve them.

"I want to win a Cy Young, or however many I can," he said. "Win a World Series. The Hall of Fame. And have a healthy career. I want to be the best I can in this career. You want to walk away from the game knowing you did everything you could to be the best you could be.

"I’ve had a pretty solid couple of years, but I plan to do better. Win 20 games, pitch 200 innings. I have goals I want to achieve.’’

Billingsley said he knows there are mini-steps to take along the way, but is confident he’s headed in the right direction.

He’s buoyed by a healthy offseason. Last year he fractured his ankle after slipping on ice back home in Pennsylvania in November.

"This offseason I was able to keep my routine as far as working out and throwing,’’ he said. "I was able to come in shape.

"I didn’t really get after it last year until January. This past year, I started in November.’’

The Dodgers don’t have an ace in their rotation they can count on every five days, or more importantly, to make a pair of big starts in a postseason series.

They failed to acquire that starter in the offseason, and are now hoping either Clayton Kershaw, 22, or Billingsley, 25, can evolve into that pitcher.

Billingsley has certainly shown that ability for long stretches. Now many will watch, waiting for him to prove he has the mental toughness to take it to the next level.

__ Steve Dilbeck, in Phoenix

Catching up on some web doings, where former Dodgers never die, they just go on to play with another club, or at least try to:

 --Left-hander Joe Beimel has received an offer from the Mets, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.

"I am still just being patient, waiting for the right deal," said Beimel.

That approach worked out all right for Beimel last year. He went only 1-6, but had a 3.58 ERA in 71 games for the Nationals and Rockies after signing with Washington on March 18.

Still, a considerable comedown from his last season with the Dodgers when he went 5-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 2008.

--Outfielder Gary Sheffield is not finding any love in the free-agent market, but that could be because he still sees himself as an everyday player. At age 42.

A source told mlb.com’s Bill Ladson that it’s believed Sheffield would not accept a part-time job.

Last year Sheffield hit 10 home runs and had 43 RBIs, but in just 268 at-bats for the Mets.

--Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd said tells USA Today’s Bob Nightengale he has to be careful in answering continual questions about replacing his friend and former teammate, Milton Bradley, in the lineup.

--Dodgers reliever Cory Wade, a surprising standout in 2008 whose shoulder problems stifled his season last year, tells Dodgers.com’s Ken Gurnick he’s healthy and ready to again be a major contributor.

--The total revenue sharing that went from big-market clubs to small-market clubs in 2009 totaled $433 million, according to Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball.

--Steve Dilbeck, in Phoenix

It’s the first full-squad workout of the spring, my first time ever at the Dodgers’ spring training home in Arizona, and here are some first impressions and observations:

-- Camelback Ranch is gorgeous, with deep green grass surrounded by rocks and building material in desert hues. The stadium, shared with the White Sox, is impressive and feels massive at 10,000 seats.

The complex certainly lacks the charm of Dodgertown. The surrounding area smacks of typical suburbia and doesn’t have the distinctive, tropical feel of Vero Beach, Fla.

But it’s modern and clean and a five-hour drive from L.A., not a five-hour plane ride.

-- Camelback Ranch is owned by the city of Glendale but is actually in Phoenix. Not sure how that helps the Glendale economy.

-- The first workout felt like a marathon affair. Manager Joe Torre conducted a lengthy meeting first, before Larry Bowa led a nearly hourlong session in base running.

You’d think they’d know the proper way to run the bases at this level, but fundamentals are making a comeback.

"I think we’re going to repeat it at some point," Torre said.

The entire practice lasted 4½ hours.

-- Torre drives around camp in a golf cart, coach Manny Mota rides a bike, and everybody else walks. Except when Tommy Lasorda is here, and he gets a golf cart with a driver.

-- Eric Gagne, wearing a beard perhaps until the Canadian hockey team is finished, looks like he’s dropped more than 5 pounds since the last time he was in baseball.

-- Ann Meyers Drysdale came by camp for a visit. Meyers, who lives in Huntington Beach, is the general manager of WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and a vice president of the Suns.

-- You can be here all day and not see a single member of the White Sox. The teams’ complexes are contiguous but completely separate.

-- There seems to be way too many players in camp. The Dodgers list 64, counting Venezuelan reliever Ronald Belisario, who is still resolving his visa issue.

-- The Torre turnaround: He plans to fly to Southern California after practice Saturday to attend that night’s Nokia Theater event with Sandy Koufax, hosted by Times columnist T.J. Simers, and then catch a flight back to Phoenix later that night.

-- Steve Dilbeck, in Phoenix

PHOENIX -- Rafael Furcal and Ronnie Belliard reported for spring training Thursday, which is the day by which position players have to check in.

Belliard’s contract won’t become guaranteed unless he weighs in at 209 pounds or less at some point this spring, but the second baseman said that shouldn’t be a problem, estimating that he weighs 210 or 211 pounds now.

When Belliard was being asked about the clause, locker mate Manny Ramirez expressed his disapproval about it by using a profane term for cow manure.

Cactus League rotation

Vicente Padilla will start the Dodgers’ Cactus League opener against the Chicago White Sox on March 5 at Camelback Ranch.

Eric Stults will start the second game, Clayton Kershaw will start the third, Chad Billingsley the fourth and Hiroki Kuroda the fifth.

This was well before cynicism took firm hold. Before having battled one too many prima donnas, heard one too many lies, seen far too many real foibles.

It wasn’t like I was some fresh kid out of journalism school, but it was my first visit to Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla. Growing up in the Los Angeles area, Dodgertown seemed an almost mythical place.

I tried hard to conceal excitement as I strolled the grounds, to keep an air of professionalism.

And then, there he was.

Sandy Koufax.

He lived in Vero and was something of an occasional, part-time pitching instructor. Would drop by for a few days, work in the ``strings’’ area with a lucky prospect or two.

I knew he was private, media shy. Knew he preferred to avoid interviews. But this was one of the great heroes of my youth, and I had to try.

Never knew why he agreed to be interviewed by a total stranger. Only thought my career was about to peak early. He said he could meet me at the complex early the next day before practice.

The happiest of birthday wishes to Dodger Stadium’s Nancy Bea Hefley, last of a dying breed.

This would be the lady who plays the lovely organ music at home games, or at least as much as she’s still allowed, when steroid-induced speakers aren't blasting rock songs so loud it's a challenge to hear the guy behind you bellow, "Giants suck."

With her traditional baseball tunes and clever songbook, Hefley at one time was so frustrated by her diminished role she considered retiring. We're thankful that she apparently still finds enough joy in it to have signed a three-year contract in the offseason.

That will take her through 2012 and her 25th season with the Dodgers. She followed previous Dodgers organist great Helen Dell, the team organist for 18 years.

Any time Hefley plays is a monstrous improvement over some Guns N' Roses, Billy Idol or Metallica song that sounds just like it does at every other stadium and in any other sport.

At least her part-time playing still beats many ballparks that have completely eliminated the traditional music.

-- Steve Dilbeck

It seems like only yesterday I was saying how easily the McCourts made it to distrust them. Oh, yeah. How silly.

It’s a new day, it’s a new dawn, it’s the old McCourts.

The latest exciting tidbit on the inner workings of the Dodgers owners comes courtesy of L.A. Times’ business columnist Michael Hiltzik, and this one’s a doozy.

Hiltzik writes, again through documents filed in their ongoing divorce proceedings, that for the last six years Frank and Jamie McCourt have pocketed $108 million.

And during that time they paid zero in federal and state income taxes.

That’s zero. ZERO. Nada. Less than you and I will pay today alone. Unless, apparently, you happen to be stupidly rich.

Ugh, how many more revelations like these can we really take? If only it were just about baseball.

It’s not, of course, and as Bill Shaikin writes, the reasonably fast May 24 court case to decide which of the McCourts actually owns the team could be postponed to the All-Star break or even to the end of the season.

And then comes the divorce trial. By then, we may all be numb from it all. Or really big Angels fans.