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Archived News of Frank's Field of Dreams

"The Old Reflector"
"See You Next Year."
I'm leaving the States in a couple weeks and spending some time
in Taiwan to visit my friends/relatives that I haven't see since
I was in elementary school. I'll be back after the Chinese New Years
and cover the World Baseball Classic. I don't have the ability to
update the website again until February, but I'll check my E-Mails.
(12/5)

"Ichiro's In."
Ichiro couldn't say "no" to Japanese baseball legend Sadaharu Oh
who will manage Japan during the World Baseball Classic next March.
Ichiro accepted the professional baseball's all-time home run king's
invitation to participate in the WBC for his native country.
(12/1)
Ichiro commits to play in WBC

"Sign & Post."
Cleveland Indians signed Hyang-Nam Choi out of the KBO
after giving him a tryout in Florida last month. He went 2 - 5
with ERA of 4.10 with the Kia Tigers last season. Choi will likely
pitch for AAA Buffalo Bisons in 2006, I don't see him as a
serious Major Leaguer, hope he can prove people wrong
though. The Seibu Lions posted reliever Shinji Mori to make him
available for all the MLB teams. One of the best set up man
in NPB, Mori finished 2005 with record of 2 - 2, with 5 saves
and ERA of 4.22. Mori might get one or two club's interest
for bullpen help, and if he pitches well during Spring Training,
I expect him to make the opening day roster for 2006.
(11/26)

"Who's Next?"
With the recent signing of Kenji Jojima, baseball fans have
to wonder, is there anymore good talents that is left in the
land of rising sun? Who will become the next big name to
compete in the Major League, etc. Well, here are the four
players, surprisingly all pitchers, that should be in the
Major League later on. My own MLB Comparison of them
are (Japanese Major Leaguer, Non-Japanese Major Leaguer).

Kei Igawa
Born: 6/13/79, Ht: 6'1", Wt: 192 lbs. LHP

Igawa is one of Japan's most talented young starting pitcher right now.
His best season is 2003, where he compiled a record of 20 - 5 with ERA of
2.80 for the Hanshin Tigers. In 2005, he had record of  13 - 9, ERA of 3.86.
MLB Comparison: Kaz Ishii, Bruce Chen

Hirotoshi Ishii
Born: 9/14/77, Ht: 5'11", Wt: 175 lbs. LHP

Ishii, formerly a setup man, became the closer for Yakult Swallows in
2005, and it was a good move since he had his best season this past
year. In 2005, his record is 4 - 3 with 37 saves, and ERA of 1.95.
MLB Comparison: Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Jesse Crain

Daisuke Matsuzaka
Born: 9/13/80, Ht: 6'0", Wt: 185 lbs. RHP

Arguably the best out of the four players here, Matsuzaka is on almost
every Major League club's mind. The only reason he's not playing in the
Major League is because his team, the Seibu Lions refuse to post him.
He has won 16 games twice (1999, 2003), and this past season he did
not get much run support, where his record is 14 - 13, ERA of just 2.30.
MLB Comparison: Hideo Nomo, Roy Oswalt

Koji Uehara
Born: 4/3/75, Ht: 6'2", Wt: 190 lbs. RHP

One of the best pitcher in Japan since his first year, Uehara should be
the next player from Japan to get a Major League contract along with
Matsuzaka. As a rookie in 1999, he had a record of 20 - 4 with ERA of 2.09.
In 2005, his record is 13 - 5, and ERA of 2.60. He struck out Barry Bonds
3 times in a game in the 2002 US-Japan All-Star series held in Tokyo.
MLB Comparison: Tomo Ohka, Kris Benson

Only time can tell when they will come, and how good they will perform.
Also, Yusaku Iriki, starting pitcher of the Nippon Ham Fighters was posted
by his team last week. I doubt he will draw much interest since his number
in the NPB is only mediocre. But who knows, maybe someone is desperate
for pitching will give him a contract. In 2005, Iriki is 6 - 7 with ERA of 3.35.
(11/23)

"Catching Onto Gold."
Kenji Jojima is officially a Seattle Mariners. The 7 times Gold Gloves
winner in Japan and the Mariners have agreed to a 3 year deal worth of
16.5 million. It has also reported that Yorvit Torrealba will be traded soon
as the Mariners organization feels that at age 27, Torrealba deserves a
chance to start elsewhere. Plan is to have Rene Rivera as the backup.
(11/21)
Mariners catch a rising star in Jojima

"Staying Put."
Hideki Matsui and the New York Yankees inked to a 4 year
52 million dollar deal that will keep Godzilla in the
pinstripes until 2009. Matsui will earn 13 million per season,
making him the highest-paid Japanese player in the Majors.
(11/15)
Yanks, Matsui reach an agreement

"Bobby's Children."
Bobby Valentine's Chiba Lotte Marines, which are known as
"Bobby's Children" are now the best baseball team of Asia,
as the Japan Series champion Marines downed South Korea's
Samsung Lions 5 - 3 to win the inaugural Konami Cup baseball
tourney held in Tokyo. Taiwan finished 3rd while China finished 4th.
(11/13)

"What is the Catch?"
Having struck gold with outfielders, infielders and pitchers
of all shapes and varieties, Major League Baseball is looking
to Japan for a new brand of import. A catcher with credentials
that make him the Johnny Bench of his homeland. His name
is Kenji Jojima, who has the tools and the profile to become
the first Japanese catcher to flourish across the Pacific.
Seattle Mariners is very interested in his service for 2006.
(11/11)
Big-time Japanese catcher may be near

"Raffy's Ramble."
Rafael Palmeiro spoke to the media publicly for the first time
yesterday since being tested positive of using steroids. Just
one questions...why did it take you this long Raffy? You gotta
be the most hated player in pro baseball since John Rocker.
(11/10)

"Frank's FoD V. 3"
The 3rd version of Frank's Field of Dreams has finally arrived.
If this is your first time here, please check Frank's FoD V. 1 &
V. 2 to see what the site used to look like. V. 3 features a new
template for the site for easier navigation and every file is still
being kept from V. 2 as I took some time to update each page of the
site. Enjoy your stay here, and E-Mail me if you've any questions.
(11/9)

"Got Gold?"
No surprise as Ichiro won his 5th straight Gold Glove.
To me, Ichiro's defense ability are as valuable as his bat.
One play he made this past season, where he brought back
a potential homer from Angels' slugger Garrett Anderson
was one of many great play he made this past year.
To refresh your memory in case you forgot or don't know
what I'm talking about. Check out the sweet image below.



Ichiro, first looked at the ball being hit off the bat, estimated the
speed of the ball and when it would reach the outfield, and he looked
back at the wall, made a great jump to the spot where he predicted
the ball would eventually land and uses his right hand to hold
himself up in a play where only probably he could have done.
(11/1)