just something not right bout having opening day in japan

[Fredia]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5646101.html

Ok call me old fashioned senile a purist, but somehow a game being in another country and over by they time you get out of bead just does not have the same impact. i know it probably makes money for mlb and that is the bottom line.. but its the great american passtime and its kinda like outsourcing the first game to another country., iknow i will get blasted probably for my opinions but its happened before and i have survived

[Duke]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5646101.html

Ok call me old fashioned senile a purist, but somehow a game being in another country and over by they time you get out of bead just does not have the same impact. i know it probably makes money for mlb and that is the bottom line.. but its the great american passtime and its kinda like outsourcing the first game to another country., iknow i will get blasted probably for my opinions but its happened before and i have survived

How a bout being World Champs and having to go on one helluva road trip to start the season as your reward?

[remy]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

However, Japan has embraced our national pastime as their own.  I don't have a problem with giving them the chance to go see an American MLB game live in their hometown.  They are welcoming, enthusiastic, and their love for the sport is clear - even if they cheer a little differently over there.  I personally enjoyed getting to watch a MLB game take place in the Tokyo Dome this morning.

[Mr. Happy]

Opening Day is Opening Day, no matter where it is held. I do think that forcing each club to play three exhibition games after starting the season is nonsensical.

[David in Jackson]

How a bout being World Champs and having to go on one helluva road trip to start the season as your reward?

It's a reward for signing Dice-K.

I think it's a bad idea to open the regular season at 6:00 in the morning on a weekday during spring training.  I'm in favor of playing exhibition games in Japan, but this is wrong, I think.

[otterjb]

The technical opening day can be in Japan or anywhere, but the real opening day for me is all-day on that first Monday. It should be a national holiday, far as I'm concerned.

[Matt]

I don't know how many baseball fields, stadiums, batting cages and other baseball related facilities I saw while in Tokyo.  Baseball is certainly more visible there then in the United States.

[otterjb]

I don't know how many baseball fields, stadiums, batting cages and other baseball related facilities I saw while in Tokyo.  Baseball is certainly more visible there then in the United States.

From the Japan episode of No Reservations, the Anthony Bourdain show on the Travel channel, it looked as if a lot of Japan is basically baseball crazy. They have baseball-only bars where fans of particular teams do yells and chants as they drink, and they're really loud at the games.

[Rebel Jew]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5646101.html

Ok call me old fashioned senile a purist, but somehow a game being in another country and over by they time you get out of bead just does not have the same impact. i know it probably makes money for mlb and that is the bottom line.. but its the great american passtime and its kinda like outsourcing the first game to another country., iknow i will get blasted probably for my opinions but its happened before and i have survived

I agree completely Fredia.

[Matt]

From the Japan episode of No Reservations, the Anthony Bourdain show on the Travel channel, it looked as if a lot of Japan is basically baseball crazy. They have baseball-only bars where fans of particular teams do yells and chants as they drink, and they're really loud at the games.

 I actually did see a guy decked out in Astros gear amongst a moving crowd in Shibuya station.  Big heavy jacket with the mud n blood colors and a hat.  Maybe a Matsui fan?

[OregonStrosFan]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

However, Japan has embraced our national pastime as their own.  I don't have a problem with giving them the chance to go see an American MLB game live in their hometown.  They are welcoming, enthusiastic, and their love for the sport is clear - even if they cheer a little differently over there.  I personally enjoyed getting to watch a MLB game take place in the Tokyo Dome this morning.

Speaking of overseas games, there is a decent post on watching an MLB exhibition game in China over at Lone Star Ball.  "MLB in China: My Experiences at the Games"

[strosrays]

From the Japan episode of No Reservations, the Anthony Bourdain show on the Travel channel, it looked as if a lot of Japan is basically baseball crazy. They have baseball-only bars where fans of particular teams do yells and chants as they drink, and they're really loud at the games.

Did Bourdain slag off on Racheal Ray in that episode?  I am trying to compile a list.

[MusicMan]

Did Bourdain slag off on Racheal Ray in that episode?  I am trying to compile a list.

I thought HH was the one with the RR fetish?

[HudsonHawk]

I thought HH was the one with the RR fetish?

You just had to get me going, didn't you...http://www.rachaelraypictures.com/rachael_ray_pictures/FHM/image1.htm

[Bench]

You just had to get me going, didn't you...http://www.rachaelraypictures.com/rachael_ray_pictures/FHM/image1.htm

What. The. Hell.

[HudsonHawk]

What. The. Hell.

I'm also fond of this one...http://www.rachaelraypictures.com/rachael_ray_pictures/FHM/image3.htm

[Craig]

I'm also fond of this one...http://www.rachaelraypictures.com/rachael_ray_pictures/FHM/image3.htm

She's getting a divorce, you know. Might be a good free agent pick-up.

[otterjb]

Did Bourdain slag off on Racheal Ray in that episode?  I am trying to compile a list.

Not sure, but at this point, she might as well be put to music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aWqY1QWxJs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU3lyYAs7Yk&feature=related

(*some high-pitch noises in the second one*)

[remy]

Sorry to re-rail:

Dick disagrees with the OP: http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2008/03/opening_day_in.html

McTag disagrees with Dick: http://blogs.chron.com/gamedayastros/2008/03/opening_day_in_japan_give_me_a.html

[gwat]

Did Bourdain slag off on Racheal Ray in that episode?  I am trying to compile a list.

Tony don't like no Rachael. Maybe she displaced him on the Food Net somehow and he holds an everlasting grudge.
Maybe she said, "NO means NO!!" with her foot on his Adam's Apple after some Memorial Day Menudo Marathon. Who knows?
IMO, the sexy little dollop that was once Racheal Ray has morphed chaotic, seemingly popping up everywhere, to the extent
that her smiley-faced tripe cannot be ignored. I am sure that it is not totally her fault. She caught on, caught fire, and Food
Network gave her as many shows as it took to wear out her welcome. I prefer her a few years back, when she was more nubile and
less well known.
No Reservations on Travel Channel is very enjoyable. I would ride shotgun on any of TB's excursions if it weren't for the fact that
the Grim Reaper already has that seat.

[rambo2]

If you would have told people in 1942 that opening day 2008 would be in Japan, I wonder what they would think?

[tophfar]

If you would have told people in 1942 that opening day 2008 would be in Japan, I wonder what they would think?

Holy Shit you are right. 

In 1377, if you had told the English that they'd be playing soccer in France, they'd have called you MAD.

"Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria! "

[Fredia]

i think you may have just found the slogan for the year

[subnuclear]

If you would have told people in 1942 that opening day 2008 would be in Japan, I wonder what they would think?

They would say "that sounds like a fancy deal the owners came up to make more money." 

[Bench]

If you would have told people in 1942 that opening day 2008 would be in Japan, I wonder what they would think?

They'd say, "what? You actually thought America would win?"

[Arky Vaughan]

Speaking of overseas games, there is a decent post on watching an MLB exhibition game in China over at Lone Star Ball.  "MLB in China: My Experiences at the Games"

Pretty cool. I saw the Dodgers play the Taiwan all-stars at an exhibition about 15 years ago. At any pro game in Taiwan, you're likely to hear a section of the bleachers break out in a rendition of "Popeye the Sailor Man" using cymbals and kazoos. Apparently there are baseball words to the song over there.

[mihoba]

If you would have told people in 1942 that opening day 2008 would be in Japan, I wonder what they would think?

Prolly the same thing the Vietnam Vets think about the games in China.

[Bench]

If you would have told people in 1942 that opening day 2008 would be in Japan, I wonder what they would think?

If you would have told people that in 1492 they would respond "Well, where the hell do you think Columbus is trying to get to?"

[TheWizard]

Here's my question: can you buy a hot dog with tons of relish, ketchup, and mustard on it in Japan??  If they do, then I think its OK by me.

[otterjb]

Speaking of overseas games, there is a decent post on watching an MLB exhibition game in China over at Lone Star Ball.  "MLB in China: My Experiences at the Games"

I'm guessing that there's a big difference in what it says and what it should say. Anyone know Japanese?

[Outlawscotty]

Listening to MLB Audio this morning during the game, I heard Sweet Caroline playing between innings.  The crowd was cheering along similar to Who let the Dogs Out? in America.  Not sure why, but I haven't heard that kind of excitment around that song in, oh, say, ever.

[Bench]

Listening to MLB Audio this morning during the game, I heard Sweet Caroline playing between innings.  The crowd was cheering along similar to Who let the Dogs Out? in America.  Not sure why, but I haven't heard that kind of excitment around that song in, oh, say, ever.

I once saw a south shore chick vomit on her better looking friend during that song at Fenway. No pink hat, though.

[Matt]

Here's my question: can you buy a hot dog with tons of relish, ketchup, and mustard on it in Japan??  If they do, then I think its OK by me.

Don't know about hot dogs but I took some pictures of a Mexican food place in Harajuku while there.  I'll have to upload those somewhere.

[Ty in Tampa]

They do that "Sweet Caroline" shit during the 2nd intermission at the hockey games here. For some reason people love to hear themselves go, "Baah-Baah-Baaaahhh!"

[Lefty]

Not sure, but at this point, she might as well be put to music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aWqY1QWxJs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU3lyYAs7Yk&feature=related

(*some high-pitch noises in the second one*)

Better:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb1hXigxUKM&feature=related

[JimR]

If you would have told people in 1942 that opening day 2008 would be in Japan, I wonder what they would think?

in Jan 1942, they may have thought that Yankee Stadium would be in Japan in 2008.

[Andyzipp]

Listening to MLB Audio this morning during the game, I heard Sweet Caroline playing between innings.  The crowd was cheering along similar to Who let the Dogs Out? in America.  Not sure why, but I haven't heard that kind of excitment around that song in, oh, say, ever.

Have you been to a game a Fenway?  Fuckin' Bostonians love that damn song.

[Outlawscotty]

Have you been to a game a Fenway?  Fuckin' Bostonians love that damn song.

Well then maybe it was done to give the players a little taste of home but, the crowd surely knew the words how the chorus sounded.

[Andyzipp]

Well then maybe it was done to give the players a little taste of home but, the crowd surely knew the words how the chorus sounded.

The miracle of Karaoke