-

Archived News of Frank's Field of Dreams

"The Old Reflector"
"Drama Dice-K."
Daisuke Matsuzaka voiced his displeasure regarding the
way Boston Red Sox's decision on his comeback to the
Major League to a Japanese reporter, of course it did not go
well with the team, which were stunned by the comments.
(7/30)
Sox feel betrayed by Dice-K's criticisms
Francona, Matsuzaka clear the air
Dice-K clears up 'misunderstandings'

"Taiwanese Tandems."
Hong-Chih Kuo is activated off the DL but Chien-Ming Wang's
season is officially over after his visit to Dr. James Andrews.
(7/29)
Dodgers activate lefty reliever Kuo
Wang to have season-ending surgery
Posada empathizes with Wang's pain

Chien-Ming Wang's injury seem to be quite serious as there
are talks that he might not be pitching again this season.

Hong-Chih Kuo's status is better, he will make one more
rehab appearance and if things went well, he will be activated.
(7/24)
Wang to see Andrews about shoulder
Wang may meet with Andrews on Monday
Kuo close to returning

"Ichiro's First."
It is hard to believe that Ichiro, who have been in the league
for almost a decade, had never had a walk-off hit until now.
(7/29)
Ichiro's first walk-off hit lifts Mariners

"Intriguing Iwamura."
Akinori Iwamura took batting practice and fielded
groundballs for the first time since the injury on his knee.
(7/28)
Iwamura progressing from knee surgery

"Park's Prime Spot."
Although Chan Ho Park prefers to start over pitching
in relief, he is thriving in the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen.
(7/26)
Park becoming prime performer in 'pen

"Down Goes Matsui."
Kaz Matsui fouled a pitch off his knee but stayed in
the game for a little longer, however not finishing it.
(7/21)
Matsui bruises knee on foul ball

"Hitman."
Since Ichiro came to the Major League in 2001, he
has the most hits with 1939, almost 300 hits more
than his nearest competitor, slugger Albert Pujols.
(7/21)
Ichiro keeps hits coming, year after year

"Sayonara HR."
Hideki Matsui's 15th dinger of the season and the 2nd career
walk-off home run kept the team's winning streak going.
(7/20)
With walk-off, Yanks grab share of first

"DL Reports."
Daisuke Matsuzaka will be in Boston briefly then fly back
to Florida once again to continue his personal trainings.

Hong-Chih Kuo said he felt ready to get back to the
Major League and contribute for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Chien-Ming Wang suffered a setback, his return will be
delayed and worst case is that he is out for the season.
(7/20)
Dice-K progressing slowly, steadily
Dodgers consider activating reliever Kuo
Wang's rehab delayed after setback

"Retro Style."
Tomo Ohka pitched like during his prime ten years
ago on the day where it was throwback jersey day.
However the 1987 uniform did not get any of the
offense going on, so Ohka is still winless this season.
(7/18)
Ohka delivers, but Tribe bats fall flat

"All-Star Notes."
Ichiro is going to St. Louis for the All-Star game, in which
he will try to help the AL win once again as the AL has
totally dominated the mid-summer classic over the NL.
(7/15)
Same new attitude for Mariners' stars
All-Star affair special for Seattle trio

"Major/Minor Details."
Hiroki Kuroda got hammered and took his fifth loss of
the year where New York Mets beat Los Angeles Dodgers
5 - 4. Kuroda got pounded for 8 hits and 5 runs (4 earned)
to go with 2 walks and a strikeout in just 4 1/3 innings.

Hong-Chih Kuo is now pitching for AAA-Albuquerque Isotopes
after months of rehab and several outings in XST and AZL-Dodgers.
(7/10)
Kuroda, Dodgers dumped by Mets
Kuo takes aim at yet another comeback

"Minor League Trainings."
Cha Seung Baek is finally pitching again, he will stay in
the Minor League for a while to build up his pitch count.
(7/9)
Baek makes Triple-A rehab start

"Kuroda's Rust."
Hiroki Kuroda left the game before the 5th inning was
over after he allowed four earned runs in the process.
(7/9)
Kuroda, Dodgers dumped by Mets

"Ex-Teammates."
Former Chunichi Dragons slugger Kosuke Fukudome
and ace Kenshin Kawakami met one another and the
hurler continued his unbeaten streak to seven games.
(7/8)
Kawakami bests Cubs to take series

"Not @ Area 51."
Ichiro DH'ed for Seattle Mariners, a move that his manager
Don Wakamatsu felt is the best for his star outfielder.
(7/8)
Ichiro playing unfamiliar role in finale

"Wang's Woes."
Chien-Ming Wang exited his last start before expected
with an injury, apparently it is serious as the MRI reveals
bursitis. Wang will rest until after the All-Star break.
(7/5)
Wang leaves with shoulder strain
Wang disabled with right shoulder strain

"Saito Stumbles."
So far during his first season with the Boston Red Sox,
Takashi Saito have been a very reliable workhorse
out of the bullpen, however that was not the case as
he battled with control issues during his last outing.
(7/4)
Saito not in control as Red Sox fall

"Early Fireworks."
The night before America's birthday, Shin-Soo Choo
put up a show with a career night. Choo went deep
twice and driven in seven runs for the Cleveland Indians.
(7/4)
Choo homers twice as Tribe routs A's

"Report to Fort."
Daisuke Matsuzaka will spent this Independence Day
in Fort Myers, Florida. There are no timetable of how
long Matsuzaka is going to stay there and when will he
get a chance to rejoin the Boston Red Sox's rotation.
(7/3)
Dice-K heading to Florida for rehab

"Home Sweet Home."
For Hideki Matsui, who is serving as the New York Yankees'
DH this season, he is not going to get too much of a chance to
play when the team is on the road during interleague games.
(7/3)
Matsui heating up after Interleague rest

"Skip to My Uehara, Cont."
It is official, Koji Uehara will not pitch again until after the
All-Star Games, he is subjected to miss for about a month
and Baltimore Orioles is likely to bring up one of their top
pitching prospect to fill Uehara's spot in the rotation.
(7/2)
O's await results of Uehara's arthrogram
Uehara to miss three to five weeks
Uehara injury may force Orioles' hand

"Japanese Pitching Notes."
Tomo Ohka got lit up in his latest start, his spot in
the rotation is up for grabs when other starters
currently on DL comes back healthy within a week.

Kenshin Kawakami's next start will be pushed back
to allow him more time to recover from a line drive.

Hiroki Kuroda played host to Ichiro and Kenji Johjima
during the interleague matchup. Kuroda was wild
for only one inning, which end up being costly.
(6/28)
Tribe can't dig out of hole left by Ohka
With off-day, Braves push Kawakami back
Kuroda's early struggles cost Dodgers

"CPBL to MLB."
Fu-Te Ni becomes the first player that played in Taiwan's
CPBL (Chinese Professional Baseball League) to sign a
contract with an MLB club this past winter, after starting
his career in the United States down in the Minor League,
he is called up to the Major League by Detroit Tigers, after
posting great numbers with AAA-Toledo. Ni will be the
sixth player from Taiwan playing in the Major League.
(6/28)
Tigers place Robertson on 15-day DL

"Shocking Struck, Cont."
Like Kenshin Kawakami, a come backer also hit Chan Ho Park
and put him on the ground. Park left the field on his own power.
(6/27)
Hamels ejected, Park hurt in wild fifth

"One of Each."
Keyong Kang (South Korea), Chia-Jen Lo (Taiwan), and
Junichi Tazawa (Japan) are selected to be on the
World Roster of the 2009 All-Star Futures Game. Taiwanese
players Chin-Lung Hu and Che-Hsuan Lin has won the
last two Futures Game MVP awards, but neither is doing
too well so far this season down in the Minor League.
(6/26)
2009 All-Star Game: Futures Game World Rosters

"Back (Again)."
Kenji Johjima returned to the Major League from his
second trip the DL. Johjima had to be able to catch
an entire game with AAA-Tacoma in order to return.
(6/26)
Johjima activated from disabled list

"Skip to My Uehara."
Koji Uehara's sore elbow is making Baltimore Orioles
going to skip a start of his. Worst case scenario is
take another trip to the 15-day DL and rest.
(6/26)
Uehara to visit orthopedist on Friday
Orioles preparing to skip Uehara
Uehara may miss next start

"Miserable Man."
Kosuke Fukudome once again got himself into another
hitting slump. Fukudome's line in June so far is a .154 avg,
while being struck out 20 times during the 18 games.
(6/25)
Cubs trying to get Fukudome on track

"Shocking Struck."
Kenshin Kawakami took a pitch on the right side of his
neck, which now is a red bruise, he hopes to make
his next scheduled start but it is also possible that
it be skipped since there is an off-day coming up.
(6/25)
Kawakami day-to-day after brief scare
Kawakami no worse for wear

"Iwamura's Interest."
Akinori Iwamura recently had his surgery done, he said
that he is not going to rush himself, and will only play
once he is 100% healthy from the injury he suffered.
(6/24)
Iwamura in high spirits after surgery

"Manny Who?"
Forget Manny Ramirez, the real Los Angeles Dodgers,
with the best record in baseball and all, got a gem from
Hiroki Kuroda. Manager Joe Torre the outing "vintage".
(6/24)
Dominant Kuroda cruises for Dodgers

"Moving Up."
Ichiro is now the second highest vote getter
of AL outfielder for the 2009 All-Star Game.
(6/23)
Ichiro now second in AL outfielder voting

"Back in '09."
Akinori Iwamura originally thought to be lost for the
season when he suffered a knee injury last month, but
it turned out that he only tear a partial of his ACL.
(6/22)
Rays get good news on Iwamura

"ChooMakingmecrazyman."
Shin-Soo Choo proved he belonged in the Major League
after injuries and years of waiting down in Seattle Mariners'
farm system. Fans in Cleveland wants no body but Choo!
(6/22)
Big league Choo: Korean on the rise

"Cheap Beats Pricey."
Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Boston Red Sox versus
Kenshin Kawakami and Atlanta Braves, the result?
Matsuzaka continued his struggle while Kawakami
held his own and pitched well, winning the game 8 - 2.

As a result, Matsuzaka returned to the DL, there is no
timetable for his return, but for certain it is not anytime soon.
(6/21)
Dice-K's struggles a mystery to him, Sox
Kawakami faces down Dice-K, Sox
Dice-K pulled from rotation to fix woes
Matsuzaka lands on disabled list

"One Run Defeats."
Congrats to Chien-Ming Wang and his wife Chia-Ling Wu of
their first baby, Justin. Wang pitched with more confidence
but without much run support, he was credited with his 5th
loss and is still winless in 2009. New York Yankees lost to
Washington Nationals 3 - 2. Hideki Matsui went 0-for-3.

Hiroki Kuroda gave up two homers in the same inning,
which dug himself into too deep of a hole. Los Angeles Dodgers
got beaten by Oakland Athletics by the score of 5 - 4.
(6/18)
Wang progresses, but Yanks can't help
Early homers down Kuroda, Dodgers
Wang to remain in rotation for Yanks

"AAA Test."
Kenji Johjima is just a few days away of returning to the
Seattle Mariners, but before that happens, he will have to
show the club that he is able to catch an entire game
without a problem. Johjima will rehab with AAA-Tacoma.
(6/16)
Johjima nearly ready to come off DL

"Korean Delight."
Los Angeles Dodgers, the organization who signed the first
Korean MLB player Chan Ho Park might have signed another
gem out of South Korea in Tae-Hyeok Nam. Nam is a corner
infielder with some pop in his bat, he is excited to have the
opportunity of playing for the team he idolized since childhood.

As for Chan Ho Park, he is starting to accept his role
as a reliever, unlike last year, he is pitching more in tight
games by Philadelphia Phillies and he enjoyed the thrill of it.
(6/16)
Dodgers sign Korean high school player
Park feeling comfortable in bullpen

"Exercise Your Right."
Kosuke Fukudome is currently ranked 15th in the NL outfielder
for the All-Star Game to be held in St. Louis next month.

Ichiro is currently 3rd as he is having another outstanding year.
(6/15)
Soriano, Fukudome need All-Star push
Voters taking note of Ichiro's 200-hit bid

"Choo Choked?"
Shin-Soo Choo could not make a possible catch that allowed
a hit which broke up Cliff Lee's no-hit bid. Choo said he gave his
effort all the way, but he might have played the ball too shallow.
(6/14)
Choo unable to preserve no-hitter

"One Man's Game."
Tomo Ohka started for the first time in over two years,
he made only two mistakes to one batter, Albert Pujols.
(6/13)
Ohka solid, but Tribe bats quiet in loss

"Strange Situations."
Ken Takahashi is being used as a reliever, a role oppose
to what he is used to in Japan. For some reason, lefties
actually have hit better against Takahashi than righties.
(6/12)
Takahashi shoulders Mets' loss to Phils

"Back From DL."
Koji Uehara's first game back from the DL went well for
two innings, then a rain delay interrupted his momentum.
(6/11)
Rain derails Uehara in O's loss

"One More Chance."
Chien-Ming Wang did not fare better in his latest start
against Boston Red Sox. Wang, who is expect to be a
father next week when his wife deliver their first child
will get one more start as New York Yankees likely put
him back to the relief role if he continues to struggle.
(6/11)
Wang can't end Boston's dominance
Stakes high for Wang's next start

"Pirates in Pros."
Five members from East Carolina's baseball program
were selected in the 2009 MLB amateur players draft.
(6/11)
Four Pirates Selected In MLB Draft
Roller Selected By Oakland In MLB Draft

"Vote for Ichiro."
Ichiro is currently ranked 3rd on the AL outfielders
in the 2009 All-Star voting, you can vote for him
up to 25 times before the voting closes on July 2nd.
(6/9)
Ichiro still among AL outfielder vote leaders

"Don't Mess With Texas."
Daisuke Matsuzaka suffered his 4th loss of the season,
his problem is opponent's batting average against him,
last season he led the league with a brillant mark of .211,
but this year has jumped to .374 before his latest start.
(6/7)
Dice-K roughed up early in loss to Texas

"Out of Omaha."
East Carolina's quest of playing in the College World Series
will have to wait for at least another year, the Pirates
finished the season 46-20 after being swept by North Carolina
during this weekend's Super Regional held in Chapel Hill.
(6/7)
ECU Falls In Super Regional Opener 10-1
ECU Ends Season With 9-3 Loss To UNC

"Streaking, Pt. 4."
Ichiro's hitting streak stopped at 27 games,
however it is still the best during his career and
the franchise record for Seattle Mariners.
(6/6)
Ichiro's streak ends at 27 games

"Side Session."
Koji Uehara moved one step and one day closer to a
healthy return, he threw a good side session and will
throw another next week before making a possible
return against the Seattle Mariners at Camden Yards.
(6/4)
Uehara throws good side session

"Streaking, Pt. 3."
Ichiro pushed his personal and Seattle Mariners' club
record by hitting safely in 27 straight games so far.
(6/4)
Bedard solid as Ichiro sets team record
Ichiro sets Mariners hit-streak record
Ichiro extends streak to 27 games

"1st and 500th."
Daisuke Matsuzaka's first victory of the season is also
Terry Francona's 500th win managing the Boston Red Sox.
(6/3)
Dice-K earns first 'W' as Sox beat Tigers

"Mind Games."
New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman received some
heat from the medias after he kept being asked why
Chien-Ming Wang is pitching out of the bullpen instead
of going back to the rotation. New York Yankees planned
to have Wang pitch out of relief indefinitely, however
it is been announced that he will return to the rotation,
switching roles and take the spot from Phil Hughes.
(6/3)
Wang remains out of Yankees' rotation
Wang to start Thursday for Yankees

"Streaking, Pt. 2."
Ichiro tied his personal best and club record of hitting safely
for 25 straight games. Could Ichiro get #26 and beyond?
(6/2)
Timely hit comes for Ichiro, not Mariners
Anatomy of a Mariners record

"Sooner Than Later."
Kenji Johjima might be back in just two weeks instead
of two months, he is scheduled to be examined again.

Koji Uehara is also start to run despite a sore
hamstring, he should be back sometime next week.
(6/1)
Johjima optimistic about early return
Uehara can run on sore hamstring

"All-Star Again?"
Kosuke Fukudome is making a strong bid to
be on the NL All-Star team again this season.
(6/1)
Soriano, Fukudome making All-Star impact

"Mixed Results, Cont."
The problem on Hong-Chih Kuo is the way he releases his
pitches. Kuo is changing his release point, in order to have
no discomfort in his arm, however it had gave him negative
results of zero command in his pitches, and since being out
a month ago, there have not been any mentioning of him
needing an operation in order to solve the problem. Kuo
hinted that he will retire rather than having his 5th surgery.

Hiroki Kuroda pitched well, however was not good enough
as Los Angeles Dodgers fall to Arizona Diamondbacks
3 - 2 in his first game since being activated from the DL.
(6/1)
Future for Dodgers' Kuo still uncertain
Kuroda strong in return, but Dodgers fall

"Road to Omaha."
Two weeks after capturing the Conference USA crown,
the nationally #17 ranked East Carolina Pirates won their
Regional against #22 South Carolina Gamecocks after
Devin Harris forces and ends extra innings to help ECU
win the game 10 - 9. ECU will play North Carolina Tar Heels
next weekend at UNC in the Super Regional for the right to
go to Omaha, Nebraska for the 2009 College World Series.
(6/1)
ECU Rallies To Greenville Regional Title