Say It Ain't So: Taguchi Signs With Phils

by markleonette on Dec 23, 2007 7:23 PM CST Comment 16 comments

Yeah, I know, the title of this diary is terrible. But I couldn't resist. Anyway, the Phillies signed former Cardinal OF So Taguchi today. He's fairly old, but he had a .406 batting average as a pinch-hitter last season. He would have been a nice right handed compliment to Ward off the bench for the Cubs next season. Here's a link:

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=/mlb/news/AAN4118754.htm

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Not so impressed

with a guy who will be 39 in July. It would have been nice, but with Fuld, Pie, Pagan, AND Murton in the house at this writing, we have better options. Unfortunately, they only speak Spanish, or English, which does not benefit our new player.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Dec 23, 2007 7:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Pagan

What is is current health status? I haven't heard anything in months.

And so it goes.

by Luigi on Dec 23, 2007 9:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

re: Speaking of Pagan

I'm wondering the same thing. I could swear I read something recently saying that his colitis is so severe that his future in baseball is actually in question. Can anyone confirm this? I'm hoping it's not true (and perhaps it isn't considering the Cubs Web site shows Angel being activated from the DL on 11/1/07). Although it seems unlikely he'll ever rise to the level of a starter, Pagan has always seemed a very solid 4th outfielder and a decent pinchrunner as well.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Dec 23, 2007 9:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's on the 40-man

roster. He has recovered, but has missed significant playing time every year with the team. I believe he is either out of options, or has only one left. It gonna be "do or die" for him in ST, most likely.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Dec 23, 2007 11:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank god they signed him so Hendry didn't get

the terrible idea that it would be acceptable to sign someone of his ability.

Bring back the damn cowbell!

by CubsBall2202 on Dec 23, 2007 11:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

Taguchi wasn't a bad bench player for a few years. But he is 38; the only reason the Cubs were even considering him is that he's Japanese.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 24, 2007 3:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You can't get everything...

This guy is considered as a wonder in Japan that his batting is getting better and better at his age, than while he was playing in Japan.
Taguchi is very fluent in English and don't have any problem... this might have helped Fukudome a lot...

BTW Fukudome appeared in talk show in Nagoya yesterday, and talked about language issue in Cubs...

http://nagoya.nikkansports.com/baseball/professional/dragons/p-nd-tp0-20071224-299095.html

- (Re:language issue) Fukudome said "Derrek Lee speaks Japanese very well (he grew up in Japan for age 3 to 11), and Soriano played for Hiroshima for 1996-97 (he's from Hiroshima Carp Baseball Academy in Dominica). Those 2 players understand Japan very well and that would be helpful"
- Said "I will miss you (Dragons fans) even with Cubs. It is so unfortunate that I couldn't stay with Dragons, but I'll never forget about your support." in front of 400+ serious Dragons fans.

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 24, 2007 2:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Fukudome talk show

There's a but more coverage on this show...

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2007/12/24/14.html
http://www.chunichi.co.jp/chuspo/article/baseball/news/CK2007122402074604.html

Derrek Lee called Fukudome's cell phone and said congrats and Merry Christmas... They talked in Japanese and English and had fun.
Cubs will hire exclusive interpreter for Fukudome, and he want to learn English from the interpreter.

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 24, 2007 3:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the links...

... and the summaries of the articles. Much appreciated.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Dec 24, 2007 3:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

DragonFantastic

he is experienced interpreter. Worked with Tad Iguchi and White Sox, and the submnariner relief pitcher that was good for three months for them. Takeshi? I forgot his name...He threw a S L O W curve.

Also, I believe he worked for the Dodger's organization recently.

Thank you so much for your contribution!

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Dec 24, 2007 10:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta love GOOGLE

translator. From the link above:

"Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (30) appeared strong side. Japan once active in professional baseball
Thermocline, the Orix manager Leon Lee, who served as his son (55) in the same month
They belong to the ugly infielder Derek Lee (32)."

HAHA! LOL!

Oh well! It beats me driving over to my friend's house, or looking up every word.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Dec 24, 2007 10:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Fukudome's interpreter

This guy? Maybe not...
http://www.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/667/faces.asp

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 24, 2007 12:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No.

Hi is Matt Hidaka.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5273/is_200506/ai_n20852038

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Dec 24, 2007 1:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Hidaka and Takatsu

Thank for the info. I tried to get some info about Hidaka in Japanese websites but failed...

The submnariner is Shingo Takatsu... he's got 27 saves in Chisox and Mets, then back to his original team, Yakult Swallows, in 2006, but he's got cut after this season... no announcement of retirement yet.
http://www.sanspo.com/mlb/data/past/takatsu.html

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 24, 2007 2:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dome Bats RH??

DragonFanatic - one of your links showing Fukudome in batting practice he is batting right handed. Was he a switch hitter?

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Dec 24, 2007 10:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Re:Dome Bats RH??

No, he bats left handed only.
I guess the photo you saw is cooling down and balancing his body after 1000+ swings a day in spring training camp.
He always does it every Feb in my neighborhood, but I will miss him next year...

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 24, 2007 11:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs