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Archived News of Frank's Field of Dreams

"The Old Reflector"
"September Stud."
Shin-Soo Choo's strong performance at the plate earned
himself AL's September Player of the Month. Choo
batted .400 with 5 homers and 24 RBIs this past month.
(9/29)
Choo named AL's best in September

"LA Boys."
Hiroki Kuroda pitched well but Chan Ho Park got hit around
in the season finale where Los Angeles Dodgers falls to rival
San Francisco Giants 3 - 1. Kuroda pitched 5 scoreless innings,
giving up only 2 hits while struck out 3. Park allowed 2 runs on
3 hits in 2/3 inning. Chin-Lung Hu came in as a pinch-runner
for Russell Martin during the 9th inning but could not score.

Losing the game was not the bad news, it is that Hong-Chih Kuo
would not be available in the NLDS after he complained about
not having feeling in his fingers while warming up in the bullpen.
(9/28)
Kuroda strong in Dodgers' finale loss
Kuo tested for circulatory problem

"Milestone Mariner."
Days after rumor spilled that one of his teammate wanted to
knock him out, Ichiro stayed focused and scored his 100th run
of the year for his eighth straight 100-run and 200-hit season.
Ichiro matched the milestone that is also held by Lou Gehrig.
(9/27)
Ichiro ties Iron Horse for record

"Postponed."
Daisuke Matsuzaka's road to his 19th victory of the season will
have to wait because of rain, if he wins again, then he will tie
Chien-Ming Wang for most win in a season by an Asian pitcher.
(9/26)
Dice-K scratched due to threat of rain

"Minor League Award."
Futures Game MVP Che-Hsuan Lin is heading to Boston to receive
his 2008 Defensive Player of the Year in the Red Sox's farm system.
(9/25)
Red Sox announce winners of 2008 Minor League Awards

"Lasting Memory."
Hideki Matsui will not play again this season, his last hit of the
year is also his last hit at the historical Yankee Stadium. Matsui
previously said that he will go ahead to have the knee surgery
once the New York Yankees is eliminated from the postseason.
(9/22)
Matsui to undergo knee surgery

"Sunday Stories."
Shin-Soo Choo is hitting so well that he is currently hitting 3rd
of the Cleveland Indians' lineup. Choo should be an everyday
player next season since he has improved against lefty this season.

Another Korean that did well is Cha Seung Baek, who pitched
7 innings, allowed only 1 run on 5 hits where he also recorded
5 strikeouts. Baek's outing gave San Diego Padres their first road
sweep in over 2 years, as they beat Washington Nationals 6 - 2.

With another scoreless inning, Los Angeles Dodgers' Takashi Saito
seems to be ready to resume as the team's closer once again.

Daisuke Matsuzaka won his 18th gave of the season, he hurled
7 shutout innings, gave up only 2 hits and 2 walks to go with
6 strikeouts. Hideki Okajima pitched a scoreless 8th inning for
his 22nd hold of the season. Boston Red Sox is almost in the
postseason by shutout Toronto Blue Jays by the score of 3 - 0.
(9/21)
Choo adjusting on the fly
Baek picks up pace to stifle Nationals
Saito closer to returning to closer
Dice-K, Papi put Sox on the cusp

"Curtain Call."
Shin-Soo Choo's first career multi-homer game really helped
Cleveland Indians' 6 - 5 win over Detroit Tigers. During a game
involved melee between the benches, Choo also had his first
ever curtain call and have been quickly becoming a fan favorite.
(9/20)
Choo sets table for Carroll's walk-off

"Taiwanese Tidbit."
Hong-Chih Kuo played catch with no problem and plans to throw off
a mound later this weekend. Kuo hope to be back soon to help the
Los Angeles Dodgers seal the NL West and be ready for the postseason.
(9/18)
Dodgers get good news on Nomar, Kuo

"Japanese Journals."
Kaz Matsui is back for the first time in over a month recovering from
his injury. Matsui will be in his usual leadoff role while Houston Astros
is fighting for a spot for the 2009 postseason play the next few weeks.

Ichiro once again notched over 200 hits for the season. In his eighth
straight season of 200 plus hits, Ichiro ties Willie Keeler's MLB record
which was set back in 1901, and surpassed Wade Boggs' AL record.
(9/17)
Matsui, Wigginton back in Astros' lineup
Ichiro collects hit No. 200 for '08

"Dodger Dilemmas, Cont."
Los Angeles Dodgers gained a valuable piece of their bullpen by
having closer Takashi Saito back from the 60-day DL, however
long reliever Hong-Chih Kuo will not be available for a few games
and will be receiving cortisone injection until elbow irritation is gone.
(9/16)
LA feels good about Saito's return

"Yankee Stadium Farewell."
Hideki Matsui's bat is not so hot since being activated from
the DL, and he has not been in the lineup lately, however
New York Yankees' manager Joe Girardi will try to give Godzilla
at least one more at-bat before the last game being play at
the historical stadium, then Matsui will have his knee surgery.
(9/16)
Matsui's season could end Sunday

"C.C. Lee."
Cliff Lee is no doubt the ace of the Cleveland Indians and the
American League, and the same can be said for C.C. Sabathia
during the previously few years. The tribe signed another pitcher
initialed C.C. and last named Lee in Chen-Chang Lee, who pitched
for Taipei Physical Education College and was recently showcased
his talent during the 2008 Beijing Olympics while he was on the
Taiwanese National Team. Lee might again represent Taiwan
during the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and if things all goes
planned, he will start the 2009 season with A-Kinston club.
(9/16)
Tribe ink Taiwanese hurler Lee

"Dodger Dilemmas."
Hong-Chih Kuo has been a valuable piece to the Los Angeles Dodgers'
bullpen this season. Kuo reported to have discomfort in his triceps,
which might affect his availability for the team during the stretch run.

Hours after the bad news on Kuo, the boys in blue got a gem from
Hiroki Kuroda who tossed 7 innings of 3 hit shutout ball and he walked
only 1 while struck out 2. Takashi Saito made his return from the DL by
pitching a scoreless inning of his own, also walked one and struck out 2.
Los Angeles Dodgers beat Pittsburgh Pirates by the score of 8 - 2.
(9/15)
Triceps pain sidelines reliever Kuo
Kuroda, Dodgers cruise past Pirates

"Baek Be Back."
Cha Seung Baek left his last start after only 2 innings with a strained
right triceps, however is expected to make his next scheduled start.
(9/15)
Baek probably won't miss a start

"Wangderful News."
Chien-Ming Wang will not pitch again this season, but he began
to play catch as a sign of great improvement of his right foot
injury. Wang is expected to be ready for 2009 Spring Training.
(9/14)
Injured Wang plays catch Sunday

"Toward 200."
Ichiro went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Seattle Mariners' 5 - 2 loss
to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, where Francisco Rodriguez saved
his 58th game of the season, a new MLB record. Ichiro's 2 hits moved
him closer to another 200 hits season, needing only 6 more hits.
(9/14)
Ichiro moves closer to 200 hits in loss

"Option Play."
Not college football, but Boston Red Sox rewarded their southpaw
reliever Hideki Okajima for his good performances by picking up
his option for 2009. Okajima will be paid 1.75 million next season.
(9/13)
Okajima's option picked up for 2009

"Tapping Tazawa, Cont."
A week after Junichi Tazawa's intention of signing with an MLB
team, ESPN's Jim Allen wrote an informative article about the pitcher.
(9/12)
Amateur Tazawa bypassing Japan leagues for MLB

"Catching On."
Kenji Johjima had been slumping for the entire season, now with
the season only two plus weeks to go, he will need to impress the
organization big times in order to maintain his starting status.
(9/12)
Johjima coming on strong

"Saito's Saturday Return."
Takashi Saito last pitched almost two months ago and is
currently on the 60-day DL, after pitching a simulated game,
Los Angeles Dodgers will activated him this weekend and Saito
will play a big role in the team's quest of winning the NL West.
(9/10)
Penny activated from DL; Saito next

"Ichiro's Charge."
Ichiro is hitting only .313, slightly below his career average and he
increased it by going 4-for-5 and scored 3 runs in Seattle Mariners'
8 - 7 win over Texas Rangers. Kenji Johjima went 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs.
(9/10)
Ibanez, Ichiro lead Mariners' charge

"Ahn Arrived."
Tae-Kyung Ahn is in Arizona, preparing to throw
in the Instructional League for the Texas Rangers.
(9/9)
Korean Ahn throws for Rangers

"No Playoff, No Problem."
Tadahito Iguchi is also not going to be participating the playoff.
Unlike Hideki Matsui, Iguchi's issue is that he joined his newest
team, Philadelphia Phillies after August 31st. None the less,
Iguchi is happy just to have a chance of helping his club getting
into the postseason, even if he will not be able to be playing.
(9/7)
Iguchi happy to be back with Phillies

"Looking Into 2009."
Hideki Matsui is likely going to have a longer vacation this
winter since New York Yankees is about to be mathematically
eliminated for the postseason. Matsui said he would like to
be in the outfield next season, but manager Joe Torre said
Godzilla is likely to be utilized more as a DH next season.
(9/6)
Matsui looks ahead to his future

"Tapping Tazawa."
According to news outlets in Japan, Atlanta Braves,
Boston Red Sox, and New York Mets all have an interest
of signing a Japanese pitcher named Junichi Tazawa that
pitches for the Eneos Oil in Japan's Industrial League.

Here are some videos of the 22-years-old, who can light up his
fastball up to 97 MPH while sitting constantly around 93 MPH. The
video also showed a very good curveball and he has a quick delivery
and fast game pace tempo off the mound. All the pro teams in Japan
is also very interested of signing him, but Tazawa is hoping to land in
America since players in Japan don't have much free agency rights.

 
Tazawa's latest outing in the 4th/5th innings on 9/1/08

 
Tazawa's outing from over a year ago, 8/2/07

Being already 22, if Tazawa signed with an MLB team, he should
play in AA after Spring Training in 2009 in order to be a prospect.
(9/6)

"Misc. Minor League Action."
Hung-Wen Chen's best performance of the season sent the
Daytona Cubs to the Florida State League Championship Series.
Chen went 6 innings, allowing only 3 hits to go with 3 strikeouts
during Daytona Cubs' 6 - 0 shutout against Palm Beach Cardinals.
(9/5)
Chen pitches Cubs into FSL Finals

"Playoff Push."
Four days after being released by the San Diego Padres,
Tadahito Iguchi signed with the team he finished with
last season, Philadelphia Phillies. Iguchi will be mainly used
as a pinch-hitter and Phillies is currently only 4 games behind
Milwaukee Brewers for the NL wild card. Iguchi's hit very well
in his 2+ months with the team last year, helping the Phillies
get into the postseason by hitting .304 while filling in for the
injured All-Star Chase Utley. Now, Phillies have two position
players from Japan on the roster, Iguchi and So Taguchi.
(9/5)
Infielder Iguchi rejoins Phillies

"Sitting Against Southpaws."
Kosuke Fukudome's struggle will have him benched for a while
against lefty starters. Fukudome hit only .184 the last 10 games.
(9/3)
Struggling Fukudome given night off

"Astros' Activation."
Houston Astros have activated Kaz Matsui from the DL, he suffered
a back injury three weeks ago and is still not completely healed.
(9/2)
Matsui in, Hernandez out for Astros

"Limited Opportunities."
Takashi Saito have so far only thrown fastball in his bullpen session
during his road back from the DL, manager Joe Torre indicated that
he will have to be comfortable throwing all of his pitches before he
can regain his closer role for the Los Angeles Dodgers once he is back.
(9/2)
Saito, Penny making strides

Masahide Kobayashi will be rested for most of the September,
he pitched only 3 innings in 6 appearance in August, and the main
issue is because pitchers in Japan are not used to the big workload
in the MLB since NPB play only 135 games during the season.

Takashi Saito is still on the DL, but able to throw without pain
have convinced himself that he will be able to return this season.
(9/1)
Kobayashi to be limited down stretch
Saito determined to return this season

"Roster Expanding Day."
Two Asian players who started the season in the MLB
finally made it back after being optioned down to AAA
2 months ago. Kansas City Royals call up their Japanese
investment of Yasuhiko Yabuta, but his performance with
AAA-Omaha was awful, where he put an ERA of 5.36.

Los Angeles Dodgers needed an infielder after Jeff Kent's
out, so Chin-Lung Hu was obviously the best choice among
all the Minor League infielders they have in the system who is
ready to play full-time. Hu batted .295 for AAA-Las Vegas.
(9/1)
Ka'aihue among Royals' callups
Dodgers shuffle roster with moves

"Prospect Time."
San Diego Padres released Tadahito Iguchi in favor of their
2nd basemen of the future, Matt Antonelli. Iguchi did not last
through a season with the club and batted only .231 with 2 HRs.
(8/31)
Padres to release Iguchi, Tomko

"Consistent Choo."
Shin-Soo Choo has been on fire lately, he reached base safely
during his last 21 games, collecting 15 RBIs during that span.
(8/31)
Choo's star continues to rise for Tribe

"The Better Sox."
Daisuke Matsuzaka continues to get better, he went 8 innings,
allowing only 2 hits and 2 walks with 7 strikeouts in his latest
outing. Boston Red Sox pounded Chicago White Sox 8 - 0.
(8/29)
Dice-K dominates White Sox

"SK's Studs."
SK Wyverns, the defending KBO Champion features two solid
pitchers on their squad that recently helped South Korea winning
an Olympic Gold Medal. Thanks to a reader named Chuck, he send
me two videos which I figured would be great to share with MLB
fans who don't get much chance seeing KBO players in action. While
there are so far no one jump straight from KBO to MLB, interest
should be start to begin after South Korea's triumph in Beijing.

Tae-Hyon Chong, submarine style closer facing the
Doosan Bears during the last out of 2007 KBO Series.

Only 20 years old, Kwang-Hyun Kim, a southpaw starter who
faced Japan in the semi-final of the Olympics, in which he gave
up only 1 earned run and 6 hits in eight innings to get the win,
and overall was 1 - 0 with a 1.26 ERA and 12 Strikeouts in 3 games
at the Olympics. With a smooth pitching delivery, good velocity,
and location, Kim is shown here also facing the Doosan Bears.
(8/28)

"Postseason Preview."
After the Olympics, let's take a look ahead of guessing which
division will win the 2008 World Series, only 7 out of 85 people
voted on the last poll got it right that South Korea would win the
2008 Baseball Olympic Gold, hope this time it will be more than
8% of people got it right when we take a look at it again in early
November when the 2008 World Series champion is crowned.
(8/28)

"Fukudome's Fun."
Kosuke Fukudome have been hitting barely above the .200 clip
since July 1st, which led to his playing time being decreased.
After talking to manager Lou Pinella, the Chicago Cubs' outfielder
broke out of his funk by delivering his first career pinch-hit homer.
(8/25)
Fukudome breaks out of funk
Fukudome, Lee back in Cubs' lineup

"Korean Kings."
With 2008 Beijing Games as the last Olympic with baseball being
played, South Korea defeated Cuba 3 - 2 in an exciting Gold Medal
game that ended on a double-play hit by the much heralded Cuban
2nd basemen Yulieski Gourriel. KBO's Hanhwa Eagles southpaw
Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched 8+ great innings, and exited the game after
losing some command that also made his catcher Min-Ho Kang
furiously arguing calls made by home plate umpire who was not
giving Ryu any breaks during the 9th inning. SK Wyverns' closer
Tae-Hyon Chong, who helped the South Koreans to a bronze medal
back in 2000 Olympics, entered the game after Kang was ejected by
the umpire and Ryu removed by the Korean coaches, his ability
to get Gourriel hit into the game-ending DP while with the bases
full of Cubans helped the South Koreans went undefeated in the
Olympic tourney and a Gold Medal around their neck as a reward.

1st basemen slugger Seung Yeop Lee during the Gold Medal
ceremony, in the far right is closer Tae-Hyon Chong.
(AP Photo)

Chan Ho Park could not pitch for his country due to his status as
a Major Leaguer, however he provided the Korean pitching staff
members a lot of information and tidbits about American hitters.

As for the poll, only 7 out of the 85 votes went to South Korea,
most of the readers voted for United States or Taiwan, since those
are the two countries where most of my readership comes from.
 

What country will win the 2008 Olympic Baseball Gold?		Votes
Canada	2%	2
China	5%	4
Cuba	6%	5
Japan	15%	13
Netherlands	2%	2
South Korea	8%	7
Taiwan	27%	23
United States	34%	29
85 votes total

(8/23)
Park: Korea's gold medal 'amazing'

"Japanese Notes."
Hideki Matsui is activated by New York Yankees from the DL,
where the team hope he can make a difference to get in the playoff.

Daisuke Matsuzaka won his 15th game of the year, he helped
Boston Red Sox beat Baltimore Orioles by the score of 7 - 2.
Matsuzaka pitched 5 innings, gave up only 2 runs on 6 hits and
5 walks, he also struck out 6 hitters and lowered his ERA to 2.77.

Hideki Irabu, who once drank too much and got alcohol poisoned
the night before his scheduled start while he was a member of
Montreal Expos found himself in the spotlight again. Irabu lives in
California after he retired but the news is that he is in Japan and
he assaulted a bartender after drank 20 mugs of beer and got mad
when his credit card was rejected. Irabu admitted the assault.
(8/20)
Matsui activated from DL Tuesday
Dice-K the magician wins No. 15
Irabu allegedly has many beers, assaults bartender

"Hard Luck Loss."
Cha Seung Baek pitched a good game and lowered his season ERA to
under 5, but his teammate was not able to provide much of run support
and San Diego Padres lost to Philadelphia Phillies 2 - 1. Baek allowed
only 2 runs on 2 walks and 4 hits in 6 innings of work, with 4 strikeouts
(8/18)
Padres unable to back Baek

"Olympic Prediction, Cont."
The baseball competition at the Beijing Olympics has
reached a halfway point, there are two facts that really went
beyond mine and many other baseball fan's imaginations.

1. South Korea beating both USA and Japan.
2. China actually won a game.

South Korea is always the dark horse in baseball competitions,
two years ago at the World Baseball Classic, they surprised
everyone by beating Japan twice before falling to them the
third time in their only loss of the tournament. China, meanwhile
started their Olympic plan literally four years ago by hiring former
Major Leaguer Jim Lefebvre full-time to train their athletes like
the Cubans year-round for team chemistry and have really shown
great improvements as the years have gone by. However, I
feel the Championship will still be between Cuba and Japan.
(8/17)

"Third Time The UnCharm."
After anal fissures in early April and a strained right hamstring
in late June, Kaz Matsui went on the DL for the third time this
season with an irritated disc. Matsui should be back in two weeks.
(8/16)
Astros place Matsui on disabled list

"DH During DH."
Hideki Matsui was the DH in both game of the doubleheader for
Tampa Yankees during his first game in his rehab assignment.
Matsui went 1-for-5 with a solo homer in both games combined.
(8/16)
Matsui homers in first rehab start

"Once Again..."
Kaz Matsui just can not stay healthy, his latest injury
is a sore back, which forced him to leave the game.
(8/14)
Matsui exits game with sore back
Sore back shelves Matsui vs. Giants

"Saito Shuffles."
Takashi Saito's injury made Los Angeles Dodgers using
different relievers to close the game while he is on the DL.
Saito has began to start throwing without feeling pain
but his return date is still uncertain at this very moment.
(8/13)
Saito plays catch while 'pen shuffles

"Different Approach."
Kosuke Fukudome's struggle of hitting is having Lou Pinella
considering of taking him out of the starting lineup. Fukudome
said that teams are pitching to him differently because of his
hot start, but Fukudome does need to start hitting in order
to justify the huge contract the Chicago Cubs gave him.
(8/12)
Piniella: Fukudome needs to hit
Cubs pulling for slumping Fukudome

"Olympic Prediction."
This is just my own personal prediction of how the 2008
Olympic Baseball competition going to be played out.

1. Cuba: The advantage of playing together all year long
will give the Cubans the chemistry they needed.

2. Japan: A roster full of great players led by Yu Darvish,
Japan's quest for Gold will only be challenged by the Cubans.

3. USA: Minor League players are good, but not the best and is a
tier below than what the Cubans and Japanese have to offer.

4. South Korea: Likely going to get beat by the above three teams,
however their talents should be able to get them to the semi-finals.

5. Canada: Getting better compare to a decade ago, but still
have quite a long way to go to compete with the best teams.

6. Taiwan: Finished 3rd behind Canada and South Korea during
the Olympic Qualifier back in March with just about the same roster.

7. Netherlands: European Champion have a shot of finishing
somewhere from 4th-7th, but their talent level is not yet there.

8. China: Being the host is why they are playing, and history showed
that Spain (1992) and Greece (2004) got crushed as former hosts.
(8/10)

"Johjima Benched."
Kenji Johjima's continued struggle with the bat and the
Seattle Mariners being out of the playoff picture gave the team
every reason of starting other players at either catcher of DH.
(8/8)
Johjima getting less playing time

"Dice Being Dice."
No more Manny being Manny in Boston, but Daisuke Matsuzaka
continued his great season by pitching 6 solid innings, allowing
only 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks whiled struck out 8 batters.
Boston Red Sox beat Oakland Athletics by score of 5 - 2.
(8/3)
Dice-K wins 12th as Sox finish off A's