Ichiro has some wisdom to impart

by Dex on May 16, 2007 4:51 AM PDT in News

Tough loss last night. Just goes to show that you need to be careful what you wish for as I know a lot of us were wishing that we could experience a game with opposing baserunners held in check, Mike Cameron showing some offense, a strong outing by David Wells, and a lucky break or two. And if that's what you were wishing for, then you got it, but you didn't experience a Padres win. I blame Ted Leitner.

I'm reading this article about Ichiro and I can't help but wonder if Ichiro were an American ballplayer, how he would've turned out. Ain't no self-respecting American baseball coach would let a skinny kid get away with showing up the big boys with his pansy swing. The first time a kid tries to slap at a ball and bail out of the box, you know that's getting "corrected". And with that in mind, who am I to tell Ichiro that his opinions make no sense?

Tiger Woods' athleticism: "Tiger is a great golfer, but ... when you say athlete, I think of Carl Lewis. When you talk about (golfers or race-car drivers), I don't want to see them run. It's the same if you were to meet a beautiful girl and go bowling. If she's an ugly bowler, you are going to be disappointed."

Lest you think me cad, I am familiar with the concepts of Zen and my only explanation for that opinion regarding beautiful women who bowl is that Ichiro is trying to unlock our minds. If a beautiful woman tries to drive a race car with a bowling ball on a golf course, does it make a sound? Once you answer that age old question, you too can be a terrific slap hitter.

One more...

Being an entertainer: "I want to be the kind of player who people feel it is worth paying the money to come out and watch. ... When I meet players who are playing just to win, that angers me."

Dream Sequence... Ichiro Suzuki has joined the Padres... They've just experienced a tough loss... Brian Giles is walking into the dugout sadly with Ichiro close behind...

"Brian Giles! Why does the sadness of a thousand featherless cranes overcome you?"

"What? Oh you know, Ichiro. I wanted to win."

"Is winning all that matters Brian Giles? Or is what really matters the bowling abilities of a beautiful woman?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Ichiro."

"Come, Brian Giles! What is truly saddening you is that you have failed to entertain tonight. That can be corrected! When throwing feces ceases to be entertaining for the monkey in the fig tree, that same monkey will dance to make the clouds laugh."

"Are you saying I should get naked and wave my peen at Tim Sullivan again?"

[wise nod] "I need not say it Brian Giles, for the mountains have said it for you."

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Most enlightened post

I bet Carl Lewis was really big in Japan when Ichiro was growing up.

by Billy Almon on May 16, 2007 5:51 AM PDT 0 recs

Ichiro

That was a great interview. If there was ever anyone I would like the Padres to overspend on, it would be Ichiro. Not just because of the name, but because I think he would be perfect for Petco Park and the Padres. Can you imagine the conditioning sessions with him and Trevor? Although I am not sure how much privacy he would get with the Giles around, I think he would fit into our clubhouse well.

I do see what he is saying about entertaining people though. After all, it is a game played for our enjoyment. A baseball game can be enjoyable even if your team loses. And I know I will be in the minority, but I pretty much agree with his philosophy on steroids.

by osbug on May 16, 2007 6:08 AM PDT 0 recs

Dex...

I don't know what all is involved in Dex's breakfast ritual...but I want to learn.

by Drama on May 16, 2007 6:26 AM PDT 0 recs

Ichiro a Friar

Maybe they will write-in some of that Zen crap when Ro starts doing the Corky's commercials. Very cool!

by predawn on May 16, 2007 7:03 AM PDT 0 recs

No clue what the bowling comment means

Another weird one--

Mike Hargrove offering up this completely unsolicited insight into his private life:

"There are degrees of unhappiness," Seattle skipper Mike Hargrove says. "There are times in my marriage when I'm not real happy with my wife, but I still love her and, overall, I like it. I know the fans and the city love Ichiro. I think he loves them, too.

"Yeah, I think we have a chance to keep him. Until the day he walks, I'll believe that."

We're not talking about baseball anymore, are we Mike.

I am part of a team within a team. And the MVP of my team is named Kory.

by Dalton on May 16, 2007 7:24 AM PDT 0 recs

Yeah I noticed that one too

That's a brutal comment. Imagine you're his wife. You think things are peachy. You read that and somebody's got some 'splaining to do.

by Dex on May 16, 2007 7:29 AM PDT up 0 recs

Discord

in the team-within-a-team clubhouse.

I am part of a team within a team. And the MVP of my team is named Kory.

by Dalton on May 16, 2007 7:38 AM PDT up 0 recs

by the way

No chance we sign Ichiro.

I am part of a team within a team. And the MVP of my team is named Kory.

by Dalton on May 16, 2007 9:42 AM PDT 0 recs

Ichiro a Friar - II

Reading the USA Today article made me have daydreams of an awesome all-world outfield crew with Ichiro in right, Cam in center and Giles #1 patrolling left. I was all on board the Ichiro-to-San Diego train until the part where he is quoted: "He has made known his desire to play for a contender and receive proper compensation. ..." Oh well. I doubt that Mr. Suzuki will buy into the whole "San Diego Discount" deal when he says, "How much a team would offer a player is an expression of how much the team cares-respects-him..." Big John has balked at writing the big check in the past and Ichiro money will be huge. Add to that when one of the east coast "Satans" gives him the blank check, it would seem doubtful that the Padres would be willing to show him that level of respect.

("The majority of people in the clubhouse make fun of my clothing-but I make fun of their clothes 100 times more," he says with an animated laugh." What does he do, send his interpreter to heckle his teammates: "Mista Suzuki-san mocks and ridicules your height and your shoes Mista Sexton-san," he says with an animated laugh. Too weird,)

by predawn on May 16, 2007 10:11 AM PDT 0 recs

So just out of curiosity

What's your take on Japanese culture?

by TheGrandHatching on May 16, 2007 10:22 AM PDT up 0 recs

The Japanese are very cool.

A very old and honorable culture that puts excellence first and self last. And they love baseball! But when they try and act out their perceived idea of what an American is, it's generally hilarious. And the over politeness thing is kinda creepy. You?

by predawn on May 16, 2007 12:18 PM PDT up 0 recs