SB Nation User Blog: dragonsfanatic

Dome's diary - Jun. 19th

dragonsfanatic — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:25:56 -0000

Dome keeps his diary posted on his website once or twice a month, and here's quick summery of what he wrote on June 19th.

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- Recently I can hardly collect basehits. It should be time to remain in patience both for the team and myself. We are sort of in on-again-off-again situation, hard to fly high above .500. We are struggling. I feel there were too many little mistakes we made in those games and that suffered.

- Just one month to halfway, and want to win as many as we can until then. I'm very healthy, no injury... well, need to be very patient these days.

- Facing Kenshin-san was absolutely fun, and absolutely unnatural. I'd been watching his back from outfield in Dragon-Blue jersey for many years, and then I finally watched his face from the plate in Atlanta in different jerseys. Something wrong. We had to bite inside of our cheeks hard in the first at-bat when we saw each other.

- I knew he is great pitcher since I joined Dragons with precise location control. He pitched mostly down low and corners to me, almost no mistakes, couldn't find easy one.

- I slightly remember there was only one time we faced up in the game before - it was a practice game in Dragons spring camp (2007 in Chatan, Okinawa), and I got struck out swinging (IMG_0257 to IMG_0272).

- After the game, Kenshin-san brought me dine out (note - looks like they ate sushi or sashimi). Off course he picked up the bill :-). We talked a lot, mainly about daily life in US, as I have one year advantage of MLB experience.

- I am looking for our second meetings in Chicago next month, and we will definitely dine out again. Well, I would pick up the bill next time, expectedly...

- I hope I will have more basehits anytime soon, and I know you fans are being patient these days. I will make my best effort to regain my performance.

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Right after he wrote this diary, he collected four hits against Indians, and was hitless but had a couple of nice defensive plays to help Cubs to sweep them. On the other hand, local high school baseball tournament began here in Okinawa ("March Madness" equivalent to us here in Japan, especially in Okinawa) and I don't afford to have much time to watch Cubs game live (not even Dragons), but the next chance is your Wednesday game against Tigers (my Thursday morning). Hope I can join live thread a little bit then.

Kenshin and Dome (Kenshin Kawakami and Kosuke Fukudome - we Dragons fan call them as such for long...

dragonsfanatic — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:33:19 -0000

Kenshin and Dome (Kenshin Kawakami and Kosuke Fukudome - we Dragons fan call them as such for long time) finally face off in different uniform first time in regular season. Dome wrote about it in his recent diary how he feels to hit against his long time friend.

So fun to watch!

Dome's diary - Jun. 1st

dragonsfanatic — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:19:58 -0000

Dome keeps his diary posted on his website once or twice a month, and here's quick summery of what he wrote on June 1st.

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- 8-game losing streak was too long. I thought we never win to the end of this season... All of us tried to wear cap inside out - it was not just as a lucky charm but we just wanted to do all the thing we can do for a win. Locker room was not in good mood, indeed, and sometimes too much excited, but it was good we could go out of the jam in anyway.

- My homer? Well, it was good one for the team so far, as well as for me. I wanted to play throughout to 9th inning, because I was on starting lineup, but it was a sort of blessed rain as we snapped losing streak.

- Kyosuke Sasaki (Former Dragons hitting coach when Dome joined Dragons, and still active as his personal coach) came into the town the other day. He checked my hitting form, stance and everything generally (see some photos on his diary). My current numbers through May don't make much difference with last year, but I definitely feel much better this year. I asked him to come again in July... if he come early, you can imagine I got some problems ;-). Anyway I would express my appreciation for him.

- I found my name in the recent round of fan voting for All Star Game. This is fantastic and I gained more confident. Thank you so much for all the fans voted for me.

- We are finally going to visit Atlanta, and I am going to face up to my long time teammate Kenshin Kawakami in game 1. This is thrilling! We also have to pay attention to hide our grins when we see each other from plate and mound :-) I don't know when yet but I definitely want him to buy me a dinner sometime there. You know, Kenshin :-)

- Many of Japanese players are struggling with injury this year. I have to take good care to myself.

- It's getting warmer here in Chicago, and I would try harder, upbeat with the temperature.

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Kenshin and Dome had been Dragons teammates for 9 years, and they were true leaders of the team and good friends. Sometime they faced off in spring training in my neighborhood, Chatan Okinawa, but this would be very first time in the regular season. This is fun to watch as a Dragons fan, they continue to wear number #1 and #11, and the game will be televised live on my satellite channel.

Dome's diary - on his birthday, Apr. 27th

dragonsfanatic — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:36:31 -0000

Dome keeps his diary posted on his website once or twice a month, and here's quick summery of what he wrote on Apr. 27th - on his 32nd birthday and right after he bashed 3 hits, 5 RBIs including a 3-run homer.

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- The birthday homer? Sort of accidental (laugh), but it's better than nothing...

- Birthday is something special for me, but it should be thanksgiving day for my parents. Anyway, 32 years old might be part of middle age, isn't it? Time flies so quick, and I hope this year will be good one.

- 2 weeks after the opening day - not tired at all, as I am still young... at least young at heart.

- The opening game was on road, but I could get into the game very smoothly. When I look back last year (on the opening game at Wrigley), I might be somewhat nervous I guess.

- This year's first game at Wrigley was delayed by rain and cold, so I felt it was a bit quiet day... but it is definitely special day and I made a fresh determination, felt very at home after hearing Cubs fan's rooting.

- I feel it's warmer in Chicago than last year, maybe I'm get used to live here, but the temperature still swings a bit widely.

- I feel better with my condition and numbers as of now. I can hit first good pitch proactively, and get walks sometime - that's good sign. Reasons? Sometimes I can ask coaches to do practices that I feel I need to do, and I can plan my (pre-game practice) menu easier as I feel comfortable with timetables with experience from last year... those might work well.

- Batting order? I don't have any strong impression that "2nd-hitter" has to be, so I don't care if I bat 2nd or anywhere... I just try to get on base every time for upcoming hitters.

(dragonsfanatic note - In Japanese baseball, "2nd-hitter", who bats 2nd, is considered as small and quick technicians)

- For fans - everything's healthy as of now, so I'll try hard to continue this to the end of this season. I'll do my best and I need your support.

Dome's diary - Apr. 9th

dragonsfanatic — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:20:18 -0000

Dome keeps his diary posted on his website once or twice a month, and here's quick summery of what he wrote on Apr. 9th - on the moving day from Houston to Milwaukee after he hit four hits including a solo shot.

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- Milwaukee is way chilly than Houston...

- Yesterday WAS my opening day (even team's third game)... first three basehits were all off first pitch but those were sort of unintentional... and the solo jack was unexpected one.

- So I could get ready for season opener as usual as I did in past years. I know I have to produce good numbers this year but I don't be too much fired up and will do what I can do, as usual. I would just focus on finishing the job in front of me, no matter what Lou want to me to do.

- Our locker room is just great as always. It is just fun.

- In the spring training, I asked managements to set in my ways for some portion, including number of swings per day.

(dragonsfanatic note - Dome is known as a practice junkie in Dragons spring training in my neighborhood, Chatan, Okinawa, as 1500-2000 swings every day for a month...that's his way.)

- No bad effect for me from WBC experience and nothing negative about it.

- All I do is for world champs and nothing else, and that's team effort. I never forget how I felt last October. I am looking for hope opener in Chicago.

- Thanks for your support and I owe everything to you fans.

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There is a Grilled Chicken restaurant called Torihiro in Urasoe, Okinawa, where all kinds of...

dragonsfanatic — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:36:37 -0000

There is a Grilled Chicken restaurant called Torihiro in Urasoe, Okinawa, where all kinds of baseball industry people get together. I found Dome's autograph in Japanese characters on the wall (lower left one, click here to enlarge) when I visit there to celebrate my friend won the regional high school baseball tournament for National Tournament in Koshien on last Sunday.

It is written entirely in Japanese vertically, reads "07.2.14, for Torihiro, Chunichi Dragons, Fukudome Kosuke #1", when he visited the restaurant on his off-day in 2007 Dragons spring training in Chatan, Okinawa.

Dome's diary - July 18th edition from ASG

dragonsfanatic — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:37:07 -0000

Dome posted his diary on July 18th, written after he joined All Star Game at Yankee Stadium. Here's quick summery of his random thoughts.

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* It was great experience to attend ASG. Fans there were creating something special atmosphere, and felt I was overwhelmed being with such great players.

* Visiting Yankee Stadium is another great experience. It is pity that this is final year for this historical ballpark, b ut it was simply great honer to play there. It was so much fun, and thank you fans again for your votes.

* The result was no good, but looking forward to my first hit at ASG in near future.

* The game was too long. The longest ever? No tie game as we have to decide home field advantage for World Series... we definitely wanted to win.

* It was great honer to join "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks in the parade. I wanted to talk more with him, but my poor English did not help well... but he kindly hold my son baby Hayato, we all were so pleased.

* Walking on red carped with my family was another unusual experience for all of us, but it was very good that all of us could enjoy ASG. It was just a kind of different world for me, will be an unforgettable memory.

* The 2nd half of regular season will be starting very soon. The 1st half... it was good in terms of the fact Cubs are winning. Personal results are kind of complete nonsense to me. I can give scores of 80-85 out of 100 for Cubs, but only 5 out of 100 to myself.

* For the 2nd half, we all should work together without any bad injuries, and should play our own baseball as usual. I have to maintain my physical condition closer to 100%. We need your support to winning this season.

* Final thoughts on Hideo Nomo, the pioneer of (recent) Japanese Major Leaguer, who recently announced his retirement. We definitely could not play in MLB without his trailblazing effort. Hope he can have some good time off now.

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Photos on this edition includes the Ernie Banks statue at Wrigley.

Dome's diary - July 8th edition

dragonsfanatic — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:30:48 -0000

Dome posted his diary on July 8th, written after he heard the news that he was selected as a All-Star starter. Here's quick summery of his random thoughts.

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* Thanks so much for naming myself for the 2008 All Star Game. Very happy as I did not expect it at all as this is still my rookie year in MLB. Appreciated from the bottom of my heart.

* 2.99M votes? Simply unbelievable. This is just because I am on Cubs bandwagon, as I look at my numbers... Anyway, 7 Cubs in All Star Game - so exciting.

* One thing I am looking forward to is going to Yankee Stadium in its last year. I want to enjoy everything there with you fans.

* The team is kinda win-again-lose-again situation right now (on the road game), but want to complete the final 6-game home stand before the All Star break in strong fashion. Our mood is great so I think we can do it.

* I caused you so much worry about my foot (left calf), it is not perfect yet but getting better. My hitting would not be worse ever than now, hopely...

* Thanks Cubs fans again for voting, also for Japanese fans voted over the net, truly appreciated. I'll try my best in the All Star Game.

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The photos on this edition are from his visit to Toronto, and he met a retired celeblity Kyosen Ohashi, who lives in Vancouver and known as NFL/MLB commentator as well. Dome had so much fun with Kyosen's deep knowledge about MLB.

I just found Dome playing as a Dragon in a old baseball cartoon magazine (2003).... he hit a hard...

dragonsfanatic — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:51:56 -0000

I just found Dome playing as a Dragon in a old baseball cartoon magazine (2003).... he hit a hard line-drive and that hit Sapporo Mets' old pitcher's chin....

Dome's diary - Jun 23rd edition

dragonsfanatic — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:55:25 -0000

Dome posted his diary on Jun 23, actually it was written after winning against Sox by Ramirez's walk-off homer (I guess he emailed it and his web staff in Japan posted it in JST). Here's quick summery of his random thoughts.

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* Great start off the windy city classic... too big winning by walk-off right after being swept the series (by Rays). The team's atmosphere is so good right now and getting better I believe.

* Never feel any indication we will lose at Wrigley, but I know that's not enough...

* So Wrigley isn't the same with hometown match-up. I don't know about outside the ballpark, but the downtown isn't the same right? Hard to believe some company will take days off for the series...

*Fans at Wrigley are so great, so enthusiastic... always full, even daylight game on week day. My old friends from Nagoya finally took vacation and visited here to watch my game, and they said they wonder how Cubs fans manage their holidays...

* Thank you so much for fans about the All Star vote as well. Hope Soriano gets well sooner.

*My hitting is getting better now I feel, but there are many little things to be adjusted... I have to work on every single things, one at a time - will continue my effort step-by-step.

*I don't worry about my average... it is too early to think about that. Also no change of anything no matter where I hit in the lineup.... I just do what I can do.

*My family finally landed in Chicago, and am really pleased with it. My bat is getting hotter as the temperature in Chicago get hotter.

*Taking care of my new baby is absolutely bigger deal than baseball, but I think I am doing good job for him. I found Hayato is growing bigger every time I came back from road trip. So happy he is always great! But reportedly he misses me so much while I am not at home, and my wife has to deal with him for it...

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There are some photos posted on his diary, and in the bottom photo he says he frequently visit Chicago Kalbi restaurant for his favorite Korean BBQ.