"I'm JAPANEEEEEEEEEEEESE!!!"

[Samurai_Jerk]

Munenori Kawasaki interview a classic

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Munenori Kawasaki started the season with Triple-A Buffalo. But following a severe left ankle sprain by Jose Reyes last month, the big league club called up the excitable Japanese import. And while Kawasaki hasn't lit the world on fire at the plate, teammates and fans alike love the enthusiasm he brings to the ballpark. Everyone got to see his unique zest for life Sunday.

With Toronto down 5-2 to start the bottom of the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles, Kawasaki eventually found himself at the plate with the score 5-4 with two outs and runners on first and third. The veteran of two title-winning World Baseball Classic squads then sliced a Jim Johnson pitch to left-center that proved to be the game-winner. Following his walk-off double that gave the Jays a 6-5 victory over the O's, Kawasaki then gave one of the greatest postgame interviews ever.

[Coligny]

That's...

adowabul...

[IparryU]

LMFAO!!!!!

[legion]

He's got his eyes on the money

[canman]

While the Blue Jays were supposed to compete this year for the American League East division title, they have had a lot of injuries and have just played bad, but Kawasaki has been a real surprise and has lightened things up in the dugout. He has quickly become a fan favorite, and I think is the reason they have started to play better. Perhaps expectations were too high, and the players were under a lot of pressure, and when they didn't perform it made things worse.
I just wonder what will happen when Jose Reyes returns to shortstop, what will they do with Kawasaki. They have to keep him on the roster.

[Mike Oxlong]

Got more respect for him than those that hide behind their executive-assistant-interpreter-boyfriends for years and only give interviews when forced...

[matsuki]

Got more respect for him than those that hide behind their executive-assistant-interpreter-boyfriends for years and only give interviews when forced...

Hahaha, I wonder how the fans will react when they hear his Japanese nickname

[Samurai_Jerk]

Show of respect: Blue Jays hold team meeting to announce demotion of Munenori Kawasaki

In a sign of respect and appreciation you don't often see in professional sports, the Toronto Blue Jays held an impromptu team meeting on Wednesday to announce the demotion of shortstop Munenori Kawasaki to Triple-A Buffalo.
Kawasaki's demotion was made necessary by the return of all-star shortstop Jose Reyes, but rather than allow the popular player to vanish overnight or clean out his locker in the presence of disappointed teammates, the Toronto Star reports that manager John Gibbons decided to bring his team together so they could all give Kawasaki the send-off he deserved and earned over his 60 game tenure.

[TennoChinko]

And, he's back!!!!!!

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/06/ ... -kawasaki/

Blue Jays place Melky Cabrera on DL, recall Munenori Kawasaki
John Lott | 13/06/27 | Last Updated: 13/06/28 12:34 AM ET

BOSTON – Munenori Kawasaki received an emotional sendoff Tuesday, played one game in the minors on Thursday and will be back in the majors on Friday.

The Toronto Blue Jays recalled the popular infielder from Triple-A Buffalo after deciding to place outfielder Melky Cabrera on the 15-day disabled list.

The announcement came after the Jays’ 7-4 loss to the Red Sox on Thursday night.

Cabrera is sidelined with tendinitis in his left knee. He has been hampered by soreness in both legs since spring training. Reporters have regularly asked manager John Gibbons whether Cabrera needed a stint on the DL, and as late as a few days ago the manager said no.

Cabrera had played in all 78 of Toronto’s games, despite the obvious effect of his sore legs on his mobility on the basepaths and in left field. He is batting .278 with a .321 on-base percentage, three homers and 29 RBIs.

Kawasaki’s bubbly personality, energetic play, dance moves and pre-game handstands made him a favourite among teammates and fans. He batted .225 with a .337 OBP as the Jays’ regular shortstop after Jose Reyes suffered a severe ankle sprain on April 12. When Reyes returned from the DL for Wednesday’s game, Kawasaki was sent back to Buffalo.

He started at second base and went 2-for-4 for the Bisons on Thursday night in Gwinnett, Ga.