VERO BEACH, Fla. -- With Mark Sweeney in camp, it had to happen.

Sweeney planted the seed, and this week the Dodgers will hold their version of American Idol, popularized the last two springs by Sweeney's former team, the San Francisco Giants, who held a two-day competition of mostly rookies to benefit charity and bolster camaraderie.

Among the Giants' highlights was Barry Bonds in drag portraying Idol judge Paula Abdul. That visual sets the bar mighty high for the Dodgers, who will conduct the shows behind closed clubhouse doors and out of media view. Sweeney first cleared the idea with veteran leaders Nomar Garciaparra and Jeff Kent, among others, and manager Joe Torre issued his approval.

Sweeney promised some singing, most of it off-key, and laughing so hard you could pull a ribcage muscle.

"It brings everyone together," said Sweeney, a 38-year-old, 10-year veteran. "It'll be fun."

Sweeney said a special invitation was extended to and accepted by starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, technically a rookie in the Major Leagues, but a 10-year veteran of Japanese baseball. Kuroda was aware that fellow Japanese import Takashi Saito won over his teammates two springs ago with a Karaoke version of the Beatles' "Hey Jude" in a similar hazing stunt.

"This time Sammy gets to sit back and watch," said Sweeney.