MLB
Fans Should Expect More Japanese Ballplayers In The
Future
by
Russ Cohen -- July 14, 2005
-- The announcement a few months ago that a World Cup of
Baseball will take place in
March 2006 really shows how the sport has become a global phenomenon,
instead of having
numerous leagues in different
countries. There are so many leagues outside of the United States
but none compare to the success
and history of the Japanese
Leagues.
The Japanese youth leagues
are very regimented and they have produced greats like Hideo
Nomo, Ichiro and Hideki Matsui, who have had great fanfare in
Japan but little coverage here in the United States.
Japanese leagues stress fundamentals
and discipline, some of the traits that many American ballplayers
lack. Not every player that has come from overseas has been
a superstar but there will be many more in the next few years.
Masanori Murakami, who played
for the San Francisco Giants, was the first Japanese player
to make it in the major leagues back in 1964. Making his debut
as a relief player in Shea Stadium in a September game, he didn't
stay around long as he feared he would never be able to pitch
again in his homeland.
Randy Bass (six seasons, .212
AVG) was a mediocre major league player, who was a baseball
god in Japan! He won back-to-back Triple Crowns and has the
single-season record for the highest batting average at .389.
This made experts in the U.S. think that "washed up" American
professionals could play in Japan when they were spurned by
the MLB.
Nomo came over in 1995 and
re-paved the way again for the Japanese ballplayer. He defected
and went against the Japanese tradition, to play the game he
loved in America. This was a very gutsy move. The master of
the split finger fastball would tape up American baseball cards
inside his locker in Japan, hoping that someday playing overseas
would fulfill his dream and provide an option for future Japanese
baseball players. His high water mark was pitching a no-hitter
at Coors Field, something that may never happen again considering
the high altitude in Colorado.
Years ago people in the U.S.
used to think Japanese leagues couldn't possibly compete with
Major League Baseball. That's very funny because some of the
best players in the game are from Japan.
Kaz Matsui was the first infielder
to play in the U.S. and so far his career has been inury-riddled.
Even though his success has been marginal, it has paved the
way for White Sox second baseman Tadahito Iguchi. A true threat
to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award, this complete player
has the ability to hit .285 or better, swipe a few bases, and
even draw some walks -- something some other Japanese players
have failed to accomplish.
Babe Ruth was a huge icon in
Japan even before he ever stepped up to the plate in the land
of the rising sun. Sadahara Oh has the worldwide record for
homeruns with 868 -- something that rarely gets mentioned in
the States. They are two of the best homerun hitters of all-time
and the World Cup will give all baseball fans, a chance to see
Team USA possibly play Japan. Both of those teams will be heavily
favored in the 16-team tournament and the fun will begin early
next year.
The famous Tokyo Dome is likely
to host the first round of
games with Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China all set to
see action. Fans in the U.S. and Japan
will be watching with pride
and both teams will have the same chance
to win the tournament. This
is another big step for Japanese
baseball and a chance to show
the world what a powerhouse they have become.
Russ Cohen is a freelance writer
than can be read daily on
http://www.baseballology.com.
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