Dead Ball (JPN Baseball Thread)

[Greji]

A number of sources are reporting thatthe Orioles have signed former Chiba Lotte Marine pitcher Ryohei Tanaka. Tanaka's supposed response was,



Well, it is the Orioles, so can you really blame him for crying?

That's true. He was hoping for a stronger team, like the Royals, or Rangers:p

Gil, you really didn't think I would let that get by did you?

[Behan]

That's true. He was hoping for a stronger team, like the Royals, or Rangers:p

Gil, you really didn't think I would let that get by did you?

Would they have to confiscate all his belts and shoe laces if it was the Cubs or White Sox?:p

[Behan]

[Greji]

My Japanese isn't so good but what Uehara said sounds a little arrogant. Honest, perhaps, but not what a Chrysanthemum would say if he had moved to another NPB team. He's probably right that he hadn't gotten anything out of his first couple of practices but saying that about your new team sounds very un-Japanese.



From Sankei Sports via YahooJapan:

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20090217-00000502-sanspo-base

It's hard to say here Be! We're listening to Sankei, which has not been known to temper its feelings about Nippon Yakyu versus the rest of the world. Uehara may have just said "I had to take a break from practice to go to the Loo" and the reporter took it from there!

[Gilligan]

My Japanese isn't so good but what Uehara said sounds a little arrogant. Honest, perhaps, but not what a Chrysanthemum would say if he had moved to another NPB team. He's probably right that he hadn't gotten anything out of his first couple of practices but saying that about your new team sounds very un-Japanese.

At the same time, it's one quote that is most likely taken totally out of context--what question led to the quote? what else did he say about his experience so far? I think it probably says more about the reporter than Uehara.

According to Roch Kubatko, Uehara's reaction to his first day of camp was,

Koji Uehara said the drills here are basically the same, but they don't last as long. And he's not used to "moving around" so much, meaning to all the different fields and mounds.

As for his first bullpen session on the following day, Kubatko reported Uehara as having this to say,

Uehara noted that the major league baseball is a little more slippery than the one he's used to throwing in Japan, though he's had past exposure to it in the WBC and the Olympics.

[Behan]

Good points, Greji and Gilligan.

The reporters could have just picked something out and come up with their own meaning.

It's interesting to hear that about the Sankei. I haven't really read too many Japanese papers but I'm try to build up my low reading skills so I'll have a look at it to see what it's like.

And what Kubatko said shines a very different light on Uehara.

[Gilligan]

This report from ESPN.com says that Japan has named MLBers Ichiro, Matsuzaka, Johjima, Fukudome, and Akinori Iwamura to their final WBC roster. Unfortunatley, the report doesn't mention any non-MLBers who may have made the team.

Personally, I'm a little surprised by the inclusion of Johjima and Fukudome after the seasons they had last year. I also think they might have been wise to include Hideki Okajima.

[Greji]

This report from ESPN.com says that Japan has named MLBers Ichiro, Matsuzaka, Johjima, Fukudome, and Akinori Iwamura to their final WBC roster. Unfortunatley, the report doesn't mention any non-MLBers who may have made the team.

Personally, I'm a little surprised by the inclusion of Johjima and Fukudome after the seasons they had last year. I also think they might have been wise to include Hideki Okajima.

Johjima and Fukudome are darlings of the media as MLB'ers. They wouldn't dare leave them off the team.

I don't know about Okajima. I thought I had read that he wouldn't participate in the selection process, but maybe I'm wrong. Also, Japan really doesn't bring more than one reliever and one closer to international competition. They normally use their other starting pitchers for relievers and just one closer, which recently has always been Kyuji Fujikawa.

[canman]

I'm surprised that Boston would allow Matsuzaka to pitch in the the WBC. Hell the Dragons won't allow any of their players to take part in the WBC. That is what is going to hurt Canada's chances, none of our A-list pitchers will take part. They are all afraid of getting injured.
I agree that Johjima and Fukudome are bad choices, but Greji is right, the media love them for some reason. I hope to see Ichiro flame out at this tournament, I've had enough of his punk ass attitude these days. Interesting to see them batting him third in the exhibition game they played a few days ago.

[Behan]

I'm surprised that Boston would allow Matsuzaka to pitch in the the WBC. Hell the Dragons won't allow any of their players to take part in the WBC. That is what is going to hurt Canada's chances, none of our A-list pitchers will take part. They are all afraid of getting injured.
I agree that Johjima and Fukudome are bad choices, but Greji is right, the media love them for some reason. I hope to see Ichiro flame out at this tournament, I've had enough of his punk ass attitude these days. Interesting to see them batting him third in the exhibition game they played a few days ago.

I think he said something during the last WBC that upset a lot of Korean people, too.

[Behan]

I think he(Ichiro) said something during the last WBC that upset a lot of Korean people, too.

Meant to say 'Ichiro'.

[IkemenTommy]

I bet most players are anxious to return to their real teams for the pre-season practices instead of playing for this silly WBC.



Sorry Grej if I offended your zealous baseball feelings.

[dimwit]

[quote="IkemenTommy"]I bet most players are anxious to return to their real teams for the pre-season practices instead of playing for this silly WBC.



Sorry Grej if I offended your zealous baseball feelings.]

The funny thing is that during the last WBC most of the players in it had very good years. For example Vernon Wells of the Blue Jays is usually a slow starter but after the last Classic he started off the season very hot. The reality is that the intensity of competition is much greater than you get in typical spring training so player to be keyed up going into the regular season.

[Gilligan]

Full Japan roster here.

Japan really doesn't bring more than one reliever and one closer to international competition. They normally use their other starting pitchers for relievers and just one closer, which recently has always been Kyuji Fujikawa.

It seems the US team is taking the opposite approach.

Peavy and Oswalt headline the rotation, with Ted Lilly and Jeremy Guthrie rounding out the back end. Team USA, managed by Davey Johnson, will play a maximum of eight games in a span of 17 days next month, making four starters sufficient for the tournament.

Seeing as Guthrie is an Oriole, though, we'll have to check with Greji to confirm that he is actually considered a starter pitcher baseball player.

[wuchan]

I can see the Dominican rep. doing very well this year.

[Greji]

Seeing as Guthrie is an Oriole, though, we'll have to check with Greji to confirm that he is actually considered a starter pitcher baseball player.

Ahh, the Orioles have a team?

[Mulboyne]

Ken Griffey Jr. dismisses Ichiro's fashion sense:

"I plan on having him take me to dinner at least four or five times a week,'' Griffey said. "Being that I haven't been in the American League, I figure that there are some new restaurants he can take me to. As long as he does not dress the way he has. He may have to change his wardrobe. He can't wear skinny ties. Those went out with Duran Duran.

Here's the first time Ichiro met Ken Griffey Jr:

[GuyJean]

Ken Griffey Jr...

It's good to see Junior 'home'.. I'm hoping he can provide the needed leadership in that ball club. I can't believe how bad the Ms stunk last year..

The glory days:
http://www.tokyodv.com/tdvimages/tdvmovies/ms/100895_alds_gm5_nyasea.mov

GJ

[AssKissinger]

Darvish pitched well. That was the first time I had ever seen him in action. I'm not sure if Japan has the stuff to win it all this year though.

4-0 against China (in case you didn't know)

[Greji]

Darvish pitched well. That was the first time I had ever seen him in action. I'm not sure if Japan has the stuff to win it all this year though.

4-0 against China (in case you didn't know)

I watched it here AK and in case you didn't have the Japanese commentary, it was shit as usual. China was not to shabby, although they were never going to win. As usual, the announcers hardly noticed they were on the field, it was all "Samurai Japan".

For those who didn't see it, the China pitcher walked a guy he went on to score on a hit/error. Than Murata hit a two run homer to make it 3 zip. About two innings later with a runner on third, the China pitcher balked and that made it 4-0. Both team had five hits.

Darvish didn't have his best stuff and was not over-powering as he is when he is on, but he shut the Chinese team down pretty well.

All and all, I think China played well. They are starting to show that the will be a powerhouse in the future. Japan didn't look that together. I wonder if they were already playing the Korean game?

[AssKissinger]

Darvish didn't have his best stuff and was not over-powering as he is when he is on, but he shut the Chinese team down pretty well.

I am right that Darvish didn't give up a single hit, aren't I? If that's his off game, damn!

All and all, I think China played well. They are starting to show that the will be a powerhouse in the future.

Maybe not. The American announcers pointed out that since baseball is being dropped from the Olympics there's not going to be any funding for it in China and there's almost no little league and so on there. I hope it catches on in China though. I agree they did look good though.

I wonder if they were already playing the Korean game?

If they play Korea like they played China they'll lose.

[Greji]

I am right that Darvish didn't give up a single hit, aren't I? If that's his off game, damn!

His velocity was down, he is between 150-153, and up to 155, when he's right. This obviously makes his breaking stuff that much more effective. Also, his split finger (fork) was not as sharp, which may again have been a result of the lower velocity.

Maybe not. The American announcers pointed out that since baseball is being dropped from the Olympics there's not going to be any funding for it in China and there's almost no little league and so on there. I hope it catches on in China though. I agree they did look good though.

I will stand corrected, but China has not put an extensive amounts into baseball across the board. Most comes from volunteer development from Taiwan and Japan (Sadaharu Oh has conducted many schools, seminars and clinics on baseball in mainland China). Last year, as you know, the MLB sent the Dodgers on a tour there. I think the government will get more interested as the better results come on!

If they play Korea like they played China they'll lose.

If they don't play their best against Korea, they're going to lose. Korea's got a powerhouse.

[AssKissinger]

Korea's got a powerhouse

They looked bad ass against Taiwan

[Greji]

Hino Maru leads Take's Kimchee 3-0 in the top of the first!

[Greji]

3-2 after 1. Korea got two straight hits off Matsuzaka, with trailing runner picked off at second. Then the K home run champion hit a 3-0 pitch off the top of the beer sign in left to make it 3-2.


The Samurai just knocked out Korea's ace (the Japan Killer), after he loaded the bases, walked in a run and gave up a 3 run homer to Murata. Still in the second!

[Mike Oxlong]

8-2 right now...helluva second inning!

[Greji]

8-2 right now...helluva second inning!

Got that right. But, as Cuba and Japan found out in the Olympics, they got to play it out through 9 to beat them, because they can definitely come back.

Top of the 4th, Ichiro got his 3rd hit, stole second and scored on a ball hit off the 3rd baseman's glove. 9-2!

[GuyJean]

The Samurai look like a dominating force!.. I wonder if Korea is neglecting to show all it's cards for the rematch.

This game is long, so if K does come back it won't be televised.. won't it stop at 9:30?

GJ

[Greji]

No time limit on TV for this game.

J-team has opened it up in the top of the 5th, 11-2. Matsuzaka is out, having reached the pitch limit. However, they're going with the submariner Watanabe, which could be dangerous.


Jojima just hit a two run home run to make it 13-2 in the top of the 6th. If Korea doesn't get two runs it could be a called game!

[Greji]

Japan wins it in the 7th. Called game on the 10 run rule, 14-2!