| Japan Blog
Weeks 27 & 28: July 29th - August 11th Entries completed: July 29th & August 2nd Totemo Atusi Ne... “Totemo Atsui” means “very hot” and that can be used to describe a few things here in Fukuoka. First of all the Hawks. We have won our first 5 games after the All-star break to get within one game of the first place Nippon Ham Fighters. The offense has exploded since getting some much needed rest. In those 5 wins we outscored our opponents 35-16. Buck had a huge day the other day going 4 for 4 with 2 HRs. It was an overall good day for the gaijins, Rick picked up the win by throwing 8 solid innings. You could also use the term “totemo atsui” to describe the temperature in Fukuoka. The rainy season has seemed to pass us by leaving us with heat and humidity. The temperature readings are nothing that would knock your socks off but it is that humidity that gets you. Japanese summers are definitely not a dry heat. I sweat a lot here and am grateful for the air conditioning we have in our apartment. One of the things about playing in a domed stadium like the Yahoo! Dome is that you can always be assured you are going to play every night, well almost always. We had our second home can cancelled this season. The first was back in April when we were playing at a local stadium and the rain got us. Ironically we were set to make up that game this past Friday against the Lions but the game was postponed because Seibu’s airplane was having engine trouble and the team arrived too late to play the game. What are the odds? I guess this game just wasn’t meant to be played. I talked to one of the players from Seibu and he told me the team was in Fukuoka by 5:00 PM. We could have easily pushed the game back one hour and got the game in. Back in the States the game would have started on time at 6:00 PM or the visiting team would have been forced to forfeit. TOP August 2th A Day I Have Been Dreading... This has been a rough week for me. My family and I made a very difficult decision regarding Japan. We decided that they would return to the States in August so that our children could start school on time. That meant that I would spend the final 2+ months in Japan without them. It wasn’t easy but in the end this is what we felt was best for the kids. Ever since I signed here I have intentionally not been thinking about them leaving, it was just too difficult. I had no choice but to think about it recently because they have just left. I have been in Japan without them for only an hour and already I am struggling without them. Some of the guys were joking with me that I was now a “free man.” I hardly see it that way. I have gotten the impression that for many Japanese men family is not the highest priority. I couldn’t be more opposite. My family is my greatest earthly blessing, a great wife, 2 incredible children and another coming in February. I am very lucky to have what I have at home. My family leaving for the States is the backdrop for my bad week. My last two games haven’t gone very well and that has been an issue also. In Japan I find that I am always judged on my very last outing, which at times can make things a little stressful. I have been pretty happy with the way I have thrown since returning from the minors on June 1st. One bad game can change how you are viewed, two will make you think the world might be coming to an end. I am not used to evaluation process they use here and I am still trying to make sense of it. The main problem I had early in the season was walks. When I returned to the major league team I really focused on walks and also improving my work against left handed hitters. I have been very satisfied with the results. No walks in June, 1 in July and 1 last night (8/1). I have retired every lefty I have faced with the exception of 2 that I hit with a pitch. For the season my LHH average against is at .153, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, I am pretty happy with that. I really thought that body of work was enough to solidify my role in the bullpen. It was not. A poor outing in an 8-0 blowout game for us came harshly criticized and suddenly I was pitching less which is the worst thing for a reliever. That coupled with my family leaving had put me in a really bad place mentally. I had been getting angry and frustrated and mentally I was worn out. I even considered going home at one point contemplating if this was even worth it. I have since cleared my head. I am always reminded of some very important things. First, I play baseball for the One who created me. There is a saying that goes By Him, For Him. Meaning, I was created by God, for God, for His glory, not mine. Secondly I do love to play baseball, I love to compete, I love the opportunity to take the mound and lock horns with an opponent. Playing in Japan has been a lot of fun for me. There have been some frustrations along the way but for the most part I like it here and want to play here beyond this season. It will be a tough time for me the rest of the way in Japan. I will be lonely and I will miss my family greatly during this time. I am confident however that I will get through it on top and contribute to the Hawks winning a championship. TOP |