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Well, that was fast! Barely 24 hours ago, Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome announced that he would leave Japan to play in the major leagues. Fukudome and the Cubs have already reached an agreement on a four-year deal, supposedly for between $48 and $50 million. By signing the outfielder, the Cubs beat out the Padres, White Sox and a couple other clubs rumored to be interested.
Fukudome will most likely play right field for the Cubs, but could see time in center as well. At the plate, he hits for both average and power. But he missed the final two months following elbow surgery, so the signing is not without its risks. But the possibility that Fukudome was the missing link between the Cubs and ending their century of futility made the risk worthwhile for Cubs GM Jim Hendry.
If only Harry Caray were still around, so that we might get to hear him mangle Fukudome's name on TV -- remember when Andres Gallarraga somehow became Andy Gallager? Ron Santo's already worrying about it, "I talked to Pat Hughes about it and told him that's going to be a tough one," Santo said last weekend from his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. "He said, 'Fukudome.' I said, 'Easy for you to say.'"
And Caray's drunken spirit lives on in the bleachers of Wrigley, were we can expect to see countless naughty plays on the new right fielder's name emblazoned on t-shirts. Maybe it can even become the standard pick up line for Trixie and Chad.
Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
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they overpaid for him, he's injury-prone, asian players rarely do well over here, the cubs are part of the out-of-control spending problem, his name is too hard to pronounce, i don't like the space in between his two front teeth and he's too old. Did I miss anything?
they overpaid for him, he's injury-prone, asian players rarely do well over here, the cubs are part of the out-of-control spending problem, his name is too hard to pronounce, i don't like the space in between his two front teeth and he's too old. Did I miss anything?
"...asian players rarely do well over here..."
Huh?
I'm just trying to think of all the reasons people will give for why the Cubs shouldn't have signed him. And for every Ichiro Suzuki there's are 20 Hee Sop Chois
According to the Sun Times, the Sox put in a larger bid, but Fukodome chose the Cubs, in part, because he "wanted to be an organization’s first Japanese player".
After reading that, I'm glad the Sox didn't get him. Lame.
the Sun-Times was quoting an unnamed source within the White Sox. Sounds like Kenny Williams spin control. They've missed out on 3 guys they wanted, one went to a division rival and one went to the Cubs, they need to save face.
Rob, he probably thought that was a better PR move than saying "I don't want to go to a crappy team, even if they'll pay me more."
Rob, he probably thought that was a better PR move than saying "I don't want to go to that crappy team, even if they'll pay me more."
Bruce LEvine on AM 1000 said the Rangers offered the most money and the Cubs and Sox offers were even. I can see choosing Chicago over the Rangers, that team is a nightmare. but Cubs over Sox, I have no idea.
Bruce LEvine on AM 1000 said the Rangers offered the most money and the Cubs and Sox offers were even. I can see choosing Chicago over the Rangers, that team is a nightmare. but Cubs over Sox, I have no idea.
Very glad the Sox didn't get this guy.
Very glad the Sox didn't get this guy.
Fuck-You-Do-Me
Coming soon to the chest of some Wrigleyville Chad or trixie.
As a Sox fan I'm not down about this at all. The Sox won in 2005 by playing good fundamental baseball. The Star stud rarely contributes much more than hoopla and cash on the bottom line in merch. Witness A-Rod being completely useless in the post-season on a yearly basis. Get 9 players doing their job at the best of their ability and that's worth ten times some guy who can smack the cover off the ball 3.5 outta ten.
This could be Sammy Sosa's nonsense all over again. Though I doubt Fukudome will have the same hysterical domestic dramas.
The chanting of this name and the cubs jerseys with this name on the back will be one of many jokes on the northside next year.
"I can see choosing Chicago over the Rangers, that team is a nightmare. but Cubs over Sox, I have no idea."
Really? I mean, it could be that playoffs vs. losing 90-games thing.
Furthermore, how did that whole Aaron Rowand thing turn out?
You're not down about losing Fukudome? This signing has nothing to do with "star power" and everything to do with his fundamentals. He's extremely patient at the plate, he has a ridiculous OBP, he plays great defense and he's fast. Last time I checked it was guys like that that helped the Sox win in 2005.
Back in 1954, I wrote the Cubs why they didn't have any Jewish ballplayers? Their G.M. replied
that they would sign any qualified player, including Japanese! But like the Cubs... it takes them a little time to follow up on their promises!