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It’s common knowledge that my husband loves sports. Football, baseball, tennis, golf, rugby..etc. Honestly, the man would watch two roaches race up the wall if given the opportunity (which may have happened in our New York apartment). Needless to say, when we moved to Japan he immediately threw himself into finding a baseball team. Having never cheered for a winning team in his life, he of course stayed true to form in choosing the Yakult Swallows as the object of his affection
This may or may not be related to the fact that Mr. Met is on some of their stuff.
While they are not the worst team in Japan, they are second to last which is almost more entertaining. Why? The second to last team in the league is known as the ”Boobie” team. (The record will show that I selected the dragons as my team and they won the series last year and are doing well again this year.) Yes, it’s childish but it remains entertaining.
During our first year in Japan T managed to go to a handful of games, but this year hadn’t been to the ballpark even once. This was not for lack of trying, but schedules and mother nature had failed to cooperate since April. With the season winding down, T was starting to get a bit antsy with the prospect of going perhaps an entire season without watching a game in person. Understanding this, I encouraged T to go to the stadium last weekend to get tickets for this weekend in advance knowing that Giants games often sell out regardless of how poor…erm…well the Swallows are playing
Usually attending a Swallows game is…well a bit boring. The ball rarely comes into contact with anything besides the catchers mit and only occasionally leaves the infield. To be honest though, I didn’t go for the game, I went to watch the fans.
In comparison to the Japanese fans, american baseball fans are far less entertaining. Sure Mets fans are able to come up with some very creative and colorful language but they don’t have half the fun that the Japanese fans have.
They chant!
They cheer!
They dance with their umbrellas when a run is scored..Note: the umbrellas aren’t to protect from rain but rather serve as a prop.
As the beer people make their rounds in rather absurd outfits the crowd loosens up quickly.
The drunken fans really are the best part of the game. They sing, dance and fall over all at the same time. One man last night began dancing with his ice cream cone. It really is more entertaining then th actual baseball game.
Sadly, it started pouring in the seventh inning and we didn’t have any umbrellas with us.
It wasn’t all bad though…
Tomorrow I’ll be sharing the scandalous pictures that the two men in my life don’t want made public..proof they like each other.
Why do I like spring in Japan? Simple…baseball. Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to make it to the ballpark this season as the weather in Tokyo has proven rather dreadful for the better part of the spring. Still I love to turn on the TV when M is either napping or online just to watch a few innings of whoever is playing.
It’s not the Majors, but there are quite a few talented players some of which will probably make the exodus to the States over the course of the next few years. ESPN.com put together a well written article featuring the player with the best shot at succeeding a few days ago.
Often times I’m asked to describe the game here and I really believe that this article captures all the strange differences Americans like myself encounter. So if you have a few minutes to spare I suggest you take a look.
As for Yu Darvish, I do believe the hype and honestly think he’s better than Daisuke Matsuzaka. Dude is a total rockstar who simply can’t be touched on the mound or off it. Naturally he’ll need a little luck, but I really feel that he has the potential to succeed in the Majors and the right intangibles to make a name for himself on a global level.
It’s been said that you should never meet your hero as you’ll only end up disappointed. For me though I really had no choice in the matter as it turned out he wanted to meet me.
As the grandson of an ex-ballplayer you would think I’d be pretty lucky and in this case you’d be right. Between the old stories, going to games together, all the knowledge of the game, and simply the way he carried himself, I never grew tired of being in his presence.
At the same time I still remember him being the man at the breakfast table with an incurable case of bed head that filled his coffee cup with a pound of sugar while munching on a banana, and reading the paper that would periodically “complain” how my grandmother could prepare me a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast no questions asked, but he couldn’t get a refill on his coffee.
It was like having two grandfather’s in one and both proved thoroughly entertaining. I still remember the first time he met M…after I entered the room, he took one look at me and soon glanced past saying, “You’re looking good kid, but I want to meet her!” Meanwhile at my age he batted .325, made the National League All-Star team, and drove in the game winning run during first game of the World Series. Not bad for a guy the Yankees couldn’t find room for in their outfield.
Happy Birthday Papa! Love, TJ
Today I got an email from both of Dads asking if I was going to the Sox v. A’s game tonight.
As much as I would love to take in a game, I would probably need to leave work at 6PM which for Japan is the equivalent of leaving work at 3PM in the States. So unless anyone can find me a solid excuse I think I’ll be staying put this evening…
Honestly though I’m just looking forward to baseball in general, but making sure to keep my expectations tempered despite all the offseasons moves by both the Mets and Mariners. On a local level the Yakult Swallows can really only improve upon last year as they finished last, but it’s hard to picture given their cleanup hitter and top pitcher both defected to the Yomiuri Giants.
To help put this in context…
Swallows = Pittsburgh Pirates ($)
Giants = New York Yankees ($$$$$$$$$)
Fortunately M is a good sport and will make the trip to the ballpark while the weather is nice, which works out well as the Swallows season will probably be over for all intents and purposes by the rainy season in June. It’s sad given the fact that the team does boast one of the best contact/leadoff hitters in the league Norichika Aoki, but little else. At any rate I’m hoping to make the trip to the ballpark soon.
M’s note: The Swallows were last in the league last year. The Dragons, who I cheer for, won the title.
