Tim’s Ramblings

Ahhh…baseball season.

Personally, I dislike baseball. It moves slow…real slow…and it’s hard to keep my interest.

But this year, I must say, I have been partially affected by all the hype in, where else but the place that I seem to spend half of my life in, Japan. In the past, there was Ichiro. Of course, before that there was Nomo. But then Matsui came over and kicked the hype into the next level. Then next thing you know there seems to be tons of Japanse players in the MLB!

This also gives me a bit of pride as a Japanese. In the past, the Japanese baseball teams and players were always thought of as 2nd next to the great MLB of the USA. Case in point, many many MLB players got sent away to Japan. That was seen in the same vein as being sent down to the minor leagues. The move Mr. Baseball didn’t help (though it has Tom Sellek…). But now…look at these guys. Some big names here doing really well in the US.

This year it’s Matsuzaka who came to the Red Sox. Japan’s media is going INSANE over this kid. And tonight it’s the Red Sox vs. Mariners and his home opener but in Japan I can guarantee you it’s being hyped and watched as “Matsuzaka vs. Ichiro”. And I have to admit, I’m finding myself silently cheering for Matsuzaka. I hope he works out well and becomes the next big Japanese star in the MLB.

Hell…it even got me watching baseball tonight. I mean sure…it’s in HD on my 42″ plasma which really really helps but still…I almost NEVER watch baseball (I should note that the picture looks frickin’ AMAZING). And I have to admit, it surprised me and at the same time made me smile and be a bit proud when I saw Japanese text in the ad behind the batter. It even says “Welcome to Fenway Park” in Japanese :)

As one Japanse guy I met who was a bit too into the whole “asian brother” thing might say, “I gotta cheer on my yellow brothers” (^_^)