P.S. to Kei-chan / Review Preview

I know that, technically, this kind of response belongs in the "comments" section, but I really wanted to share this with the world. I was in Japan during the Shinjo underwear campaign and it was INTENSE!


Anyway, here's a rundown of yesterday's posts:

Kei contributed a very excellent Top Five
Rachel expressed hometown pride with her Top One
Paul took it there.
I loved on Manny.

Starting next Friday, Sam and I will begin looking at each division in the Major Leagues and ranking its teams by level of attractiveness. We invite you to participate! Here's the schedule:

Feb. 13th, AL East
Feb. 20th, AL Central
Feb. 27th, AL West
Mar. 6th, NL East
Mar. 13th, NL Central
Mar. 14th, NL West

We've got many other exciting posts planned, so keep reading and thanks for your continued support of THE GREATEST SPORT IN THE UNIVERSE!!!!!!

Favorite Five

I present my MLB favorites:

5. Hideo Nomo

As far as my memory is concerned, this man paved the way for all of the Japanese players who have made it big in America. The first time I recall being excited about going to a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field was in the mid-90's when Nomo and the Dodgers came to play. I remember his pitching windup and the enormous thigh and butt that would rise up against his body before releasing the ball--aside from sumo wrestlers, Nomo might've been the first large Japanese person I'd ever seen.

4. Shinjo Tsuyoshi

Nevermind that Shinjo is not in MLB uniform in any of the photos above. I first came across Shinjo when the San Fransisco Giants were in the World Series back in 2002. I had no idea he was such a character. Last I saw him, he was on a Japanese TV show dedicated to animals, hanging out with young pandas. He was very affectionate towards them, and ended up helping an outcast baby panda socialize with the other "normal" pandas. He even built the panda a wooden slide! I'm not sure if the panda became more social later on, off-camera, but the segment ended with the lonesome panda hanging out with the other pandas for the first time in a long time. All thanks to Shinjo. I cried.

3. José Reyes

MILLION DOLLAR SMILE! MILLION DOLLAR STEALS! I know it's tough being a Mets fan. I live with one, and it can be sad to witness Mets Fandom. But it can't be that sad with that smile! The second time I recall being excited about going to a Cubs game was last spring (second picture above), when José came through with the Mets.

2. Bobby Jenks

Bobby Jenks never lets me down; I'm always confident he'll finish the game pumping his fists. I like how he has the body of a refrigerator but the face of an eight year old boy. In the photo above (redeye photoshopped by Mordecai), I appear with live Bobby on the field, pixelated on the scoreboard, and transmitted on the U.S. Cellular screen. 3 Bobbies and 1 Happy Kei!

1. Miguel Cabrera

Miguel Cabrera and Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez got me all riled up in 2003 when the Marlins won the World Series. It was Miguel Cabrera who won my baseball heart with his boyish, innocent face (see first photo above). The Marlins kept Miguel Cabrera and I rarely heard about him after 2003 except when the Marlins would come through Chicago (second photo above). He's gained a considerable amount of weight; Joe reassures me it's fat and not steroids. I had no idea the Tigers acquired him last year, but I'll blame my ignorance on my absence from the United States for most of last summer.

Coming soon: Dishonorable Mention, Nippon Professional Baseball Picks