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01/18/2003 Archived Entry: "Japanese Baseball News: Dragons Rebuff Bosox"
Dragons Turn Down Red Sox Overture for Millar
Chunichi Dragons President Junichi Nishikawa told the press earlier today that he has refused an offer from the Boston Red Sox that would send Benny Agbayani to his club in exchange for ceding Kevin Millar to them. "We already signed [Millar], so of course we refused [a deal for him]," averred Nishikawa. "Millar is an outstanding player and we hope he will bring some attention to our ballclub."
Bon Jovi Offers to Help Godzilla Out
Hideki Matsui whiled away his Friday at Meiji Jingu Stadium doing some running for about an hour before departing. He chose to do the session at Jingu since if he had done it at a Giants facility, he would have been hounded by press and fans, he says. Matsui disclosed that he is taking his time getting ready for spring training and doesn't feel the need to hasten his routine.
There is also a story in Nikkan Sports that indicates that Matsui will have a big screen set up in one room of his NY apartment in order to study video footage of his at bats during the season to analyze his approach against the various pitchers he will face in MLB. He is said not to have been too into taking the tack that Tony Gwynn was previously famous for in studying pitchers and his performances via a copious collection of video footage, instead preferring to look at film of great hitters and incorporate into his hitting style what he felt would be helpful to him.
Hochi Sports interviewed singer Jon Bon Jovi and his lead guitarist Richie Sambora at a Tokyo area hotel since they are in town as part of their latest world tour and, of course, the discussion got around to Matsui. Bon Jovi commented, "[his signing] will have a positive impact on the marketing of the Yankees. If [Matsui] makes an effort to blend in, New Yorkers will welcome him with open arms." His advice to the slugger? "He needs to remember the NY phrase, 'fuhgeddabout it.' If he has any problems, tell him to come see me" the rocker laughed. "I'll show him what New York is."
Hot Shots....
According to a story in Sports Nippon, Hideki Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, also has Seibu Lions superstar shortstop Kazuo Matsui in his gun sights, as does Scott Boras, Alex Rodriguez' front man, and Alan Nero, who represents Randy Johnson and Lou Piniella among many others. Matsui, while admitting that he has heard of interest from high profile agents who view him as a five tool guy, says that he doesn't want to create any problems for his ballclub and refused further comment on all this. But he could be the hot free agent next winter, with the Mets already pretty much having a uniform ready for him while Seattle is thinking about dumping Carlos Guillen and replacing him with the speedy Gold Glove recipient. Today, he worked out for five hours, taking 167 hacks in the batting cage, focusing on his footwork, making quick throws and doing lots of running and some weightlifting. He told reporters that he intends to get his uniform real dirty this season, meaning that you could see him drastically elevate his stolen base numbers....Yomiuri Giants leftfielder Takayuki Shimizu, who was a hits machine in 2002, hurt his back in a workout a couple of days back and may open spring training in the minor league camp while he rehabs it. He also reportedly had complained of discomfort in his back at the end of last season. At this point, Yomiuri says all Shimizu can do is rest it and go from there....Yakult scouts liked what they saw again from 18 year old top draft pick Yuhei Takai, as he was throwing easy low 90's gas in a 30 pitch bullpen session today. "He's further along than [Kazuhisa] Ishii was [when he was drafted]," said one talent evaluator. Typical of what he has been saying about himself so far, Takai said his pitches lacked good movement. But scouts nonetheless praised Takai for sound mechanics and he displayed good command of his slider....Chiba Lotte Marines manager Koji Yamamoto, mindful of the fact that he doesn't have any big middle of the lineup sluggers, says he will attempt to compensate for that by using the running game more this season in an attempt to generate more run production. He will also be using the sac bunt more, too.... Nippon Ham first baseman Michihiro Ogasawara spent the day in the batting cage, slamming 150 balls all over the lot at a Fighters workout facility off of a tee and even hit from both sides of the plate....Nippon Ham field boss Trey Hillman will be back in Japan on the 20th and will go to Sapporo and visit City Hall as well as the government agency that oversees the administration of Hokkaido doing some p.r. for his nine. He will then do a local tv appearance on the 22nd and hold a press conference and do some one on one interviews. Team officials say that they are both surprised and delighted at how cooperative the former Rangers farm director has been in flacking for his side....Kintetsu owner Tashiro and manager Masataka Nashida journeyed to the Omiwa Temple in the ancient old capital of Nara to pray for a victorious season. The Buffs homeground, Osaka Dome, will also be getting new artificial turf in February, and it may be Field Turf, which is now covering the Tokyo Dome surface, from the description given in Sports Nippon....Chunichi Dragons outfielders Kazuki Inoue and pinch hitter Junichi Jinno visited children in a hospital today in Nagoya. Inoue, after meeting one teenager who has been on a respirator for 17 years and others who are paralyzed, said they inspired him with their courage....Hiroshima Carp manager Koji Yamamoto is leaning toward putting rightfielder Tomonori Maeda in the cleanup spot vacated by Tomoaki Kanemoto when the latter went to Hanshin....Tigers centerfielder Norihiro Akahoshi has set goals of .300, a .400 OBP and 50 steals for the upcoming season. He has shortened up his stance, squared it up and adopted a slight crouch. For a 5'7" guy, he has always struckout too much, so to put that OBP up where he wants it, he will have to make more contact....Pitcher Shigeki Sano, who was most recently in the Dodgers minor league organization, will tryout for a spot with Orix in February. He is a former Kintetsu Buffalo....Former Orix moundsman Ed Yarnall has signed with Oakland. Yarnell, who toiled for two seasons in Kobe, was squeezed out when the team decided to go for more offense and aquired two foreign position players ....Former Fukushima Commercial High School righthander Eiji Miyamoto, 23, has signed with the Chicago Cubs, according to Hochi Sports. He's a 6'3" 210 pounder....Former Yokohama second baseman Bobby Rose will be flying into Japan on the 22nd and begin working out for Lotte....Due to logistical issues, the International Baseball Federation said it won't be able to shorten the schedule of the Athens olympic baseball tournament. That almost certainly ends even the already slim chance for MLB players to participate ....A scheduled exhibition game between Stanford University and Rikkyo University on February 25th has been cancelled. No reason was given by Stanford for the cancellation.
Boston Unlikely to Match Chunichi Offer
See story at: Boston Globe Article
Yankees Respond With Interest to 2004 Japan Opener
I also nominate myself as Moron of the Day after thinking Selig was going to try to make this happen THIS season. Sheesh. See story at: Associated Press Article
Ticket Info on MLB Japanese Opener
See story at: Yomiuri Shimbun Article
