Archived Weblog Entry - 04/11/2003: "Japanese Baseball News: More Headlines and Goodbye"

The timetable for me moving to Japan has been moved up by a couple of weeks, so this will be my last article for at least the next four months. I will still be available for questions until the 20th. When I do come back, however, I won't be able to do the kind of detailed game reports that I have done for the last year. I'm sorry about that, but the changes in my personal and work life will leave me no time to do that. Instead, I will concentrate on doing more single subject articles. Note, though, that there is also a possibility that I will have to give this up altogether, so if you don't see my name anymore by the end of the year, you can assume I'm more or less gone for good. So thanks to Baseball Guru.com webmaster Craig Tomarkin and Japanese Baseball.com honcho Michael Westbay for their encouragement and kindly giving me venues in which to do this. To players, scouts and members of the press who have lent me many kind words, thank you. I hope that I've helped in some small part to bring good information about the Japanese game to you.

Finally, to baseball fans for whom Baseball Guru.com came to be in the first place, I hope that this has deepened your love for the game and given you a window into a side of the sport about which there hasn't been that much info printed in the U.S. press. Jim Albright has helped expand the statistical knowledge about Japanese baseball with his good work on the subject and Andrew Wong is now bringing you news about Korean and Taiwan pro ball. And Bruce Markusen's work has been just super, too. So this site is well worth visiting everyday to see what they come up with. Please do so.

Ja, Mata ne (until we meet again).

Replies: 6 comments

Dear Sir, I too am saddened at the fact that you will not be giving us the latest news about Japanese Baseball, our son is playing for the Yokohoma Bay Stars this year and your column was our life line for daily information. Can you suggest any other site that might be helpful to us. Thanks, Barbara

Posted by Barbara Whiteside @ 04/14/2003 12:47 PM EST

For me is the worst news in 2003. I like your reports about japanese baseball and now I´ll lost.
Thanks for all.
Para mi es la peor noticia del 2003 (que dejes de escribir en este site). Me gustan tus reportes del beisbol japones, especialmente porque señala las actuaciones de los peloteros extranjeros al final de cada juego. Sin este site estare perdido. Gracias por todo.

Posted by Enrique Rojas @ 04/14/2003 08:49 AM EST

What a loss, how selfish of me to feel that way!! Only page I visited everyday. I'll miss your musings and information, your page and you are unique. I wish you all the best in health and happiness and sincerely hope to see your work and incisive wit in print again. Good luck

Posted by Bill Stevens @ 04/12/2003 02:03 PM EST

Thanks for the great detailed NPB game recaps and interesting background data, and for taking time to answer my e-mails. It's apparent how much love you have for Japan and NPB. Ganbatte kudasai!

Posted by Mike Todd @ 04/12/2003 11:10 AM EST

Thanks for all your Japanese Baseball updates. Being a expat Living in Tokyo, and an avid Yakult Swallows fan, your updates were BY FAR the best source of information in English to be had. Now I'll just have to make do with the pititful Japan Times reports. Once again, thank you.

Posted by Dave Watkins @ 04/12/2003 06:40 AM EST

Thank you for your work. This page has been very informative and entertaining. Gambatte Mariners!

Posted by Robert Kiyoshi Shalow @ 04/12/2003 02:16 AM EST