Hayato Fukudome and Chicago

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 30, 2007 10:47 PM CST

Dome declared his free agency and told he's just got married on the same day, Nov 12, and his wife delivered their first boy on Dec 16. Then he became a Cub on Dec 19.

Now he told to press about how he named his new baby - Hayato Fukudome, and it's all about Chicago and Cubs.

(click photo to see notes on this)

The name "Hayato" uses 2 kanji charactors - actually it's very hard to read this as Hayato though...:)

The first kanji means "refreshing breeze/wind", as Chicago is the windy city. The second one is "One", from his number at Chicago Cubs (and Chunichi Dragons). It should also mean Hayato is his first boy.

Dome said he purchased a couple of books to think about the new name, with his passion to start over his life as a baseball player in Chicago.

Finally, Dome said "I want to play at least until Hayato understand baseball. Felt new responsibility for new family, and will focus on playing well for Chicago".

I know he is very cool-headed guy with very strong mind at my Dragons, and that wouldn't change no matter where he plays. His family will be moving to Chicago in next summer, after Hayato grow a bit, and hope they will fit in Chicago and help Cubs win.

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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Comments

Neat!

Thanks for the info.

I wonder if Fukudome knows that Chicago was nicknamed "The Windy City" because of all the hot air coming out of the mouths of city boosters rather than any comment on the weather.

Probably not. Let's not tell him.

Stay tuned for complete coverage of BABYWATCH 2008!

by Josh Timmers on Dec 30, 2007 10:50 PM CST reply actions

dragonsfanatic....

i appreciate your post and find them informing and very enjoyable. i'd hope you'd become a regular poster here. keep em coming

GO CUBS GO!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 31, 2007 12:01 AM CST reply actions

Echo

Yes, welcome to the BCB community and thanks for all the information about dough-May. As fans we see him making every effort to fit into Chicago and understand our culture. As a fan, I would like to learn more about his culture as well, to help his adjustment. That's something I'm just now understanding as of why Dome wanted to be the first Japanese player to play for Cubs. Something that transcends just sports.

One thing is for sure, Dome before even playing a game, has become one of my favorite Cub players already, just by what I've read about him and what kind of a person he is and his great attitude.

He will be a fan foavorite and loved by Cub fans in Chicago (and over the world!), for that characteristic alone.

Quick question for you about Japanese baseball: You say that the Giants are your rival to Dragons and I would like to know, if fans of Dragons ever boooo players from Giants or any other team for that matter?

I reject your reality and substitute my own. ` Adam Savage Mythbusters

by lemon20pie on Dec 31, 2007 2:23 AM CST up reply actions

.......and another thing.

I also think it'd be cool, that during the season or even in the off-season, that you and other fans of dome and the Cubs, start your own diary here in Japanese, so other Japanese Cub fans that don't speak fluent english can participate in the BCB community as well.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. ` Adam Savage Mythbusters

by lemon20pie on Dec 31, 2007 2:28 AM CST up reply actions

Re: Japanese

Well, if I write something here, you guys can't read...;-) Many of fans interested in MLB frequently checks mlb.com and it's message board, and I know some of Dragons fans in my communities already reading here...

We do have Dome communities with thousands of fans, and needless to say, all the Dragons fans are interested in Cubs, and what Dome does there.
I am actually keep informative about every moves in Dragons' spring training in my neighborhood these years, and would let you folks know when I found newsworthy, in Japanese (and Dragons fan) point of view.

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 31, 2007 7:24 AM CST up reply actions

I would like to add...

... my thanks to you for posting here, for all the interesting information you've already given us, and look forward to sharing baseball with you during the 2008 season and beyond.

As far as posting here using Japanese text, at least for now, the site software doesn't allow it. I have put in inquiries to the web gurus to see if they can help us out with this, because I think it would be interesting, too.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2007 9:36 AM CST up reply actions

that would be...

freaking awesome. something like all diaries have an english version as well as a japanese version.

GO CUBS GO!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 31, 2007 12:09 PM CST up reply actions

That would be really cool.

Let me see what I can do to make this happen.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2007 12:10 PM CST up reply actions

Re: Japanese

Well I don't know I can write any diaries in Japanese here and you folks can read them, but at least use some Japanese word inside, that would be benefitical. I can copy and paste his kid's name here...

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 31, 2007 12:18 PM CST up reply actions

i want..

something so that a we can get a bunch of japanese fans on board with us too. everyone can write in their native language and we can all read it through a pc generated interpretor.

GO CUBS GO!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 31, 2007 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

I have been told...

... that the web gurus are working on this, and that people here WILL have the capability of posting in Japanese by the time spring training games begin.

I'll keep you posted on the exact process.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2007 4:23 PM CST up reply actions

Re: Fans

Do you mean we boo at players of Giants or Tigers, or players moved to Dragons from those teams?
Well, we usualy don't boo my players no matter where they from (excluding when they perform too badly), and boo others frequently...we do have other kind of reactions in Japanese, but sometimes use "booooo" as we watch many MLB games on TV (mostly from Seatle and NY)...

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 31, 2007 6:51 AM CST up reply actions

What sort of reactions?

n/t

by Flatley on Dec 31, 2007 11:16 AM CST up reply actions

Re: reactions

Well, just blaming in Japanese... but wouldn't like to tell you folks because Dome will understand them ;-P
"Donkan-ryoku" (ability of being unconcerned) might be important for baseball players, though...

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 31, 2007 12:13 PM CST up reply actions

We are, of course...

... hoping there will be no reason to do anything but CHEER Dome all year.

I imagine most, if not all, Cubs games will be televised back to Japan next season.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2007 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

Re: boos

Well, we are very used to watching Matsuzaka or Matsui is booed badly in Boston and NY live on TV here in Japan ...;-P
Especially the case of Kaz Matsui at Mets was bad, but he's struck back as a Rocky...
But just expecting that would not happen to Dome in Wrigeley....m(_ _)m

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 31, 2007 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

What "Kousuke Fukudome" means

BTW, more importantly to you folks, what "Kousuke Fukudome" means is...

Family name - the first kanji character "Fuku" means "good luck", and "Dome" means "stay/remain". So Fukudome means "Good luck remains".

"Kousuke" - first character "Kou" (or "Ko") means "dutiful", and "Suke" means "helpful".

So, Dome would be helpful and dutiful to Cubs, and overall keeping him at Cubs will keep good luck remained in Chicago.

Happy?

by dragonsfanatic on Dec 31, 2007 1:17 PM CST reply actions

Yes!

Very Happy :) Thank you!

Is it too early to be thinking about Spring Training?

by DenverCub on Dec 31, 2007 7:17 PM CST up reply actions

Re: pronounce "Fukudome"

....and hope all you folks can pronounce Fukudome appropriately...

http://www.post-trib.com/sports/gorches/722102,gorc.article

by dragonsfanatic on Jan 2, 2008 10:03 AM CST up reply actions

Well, WE can...

... I wonder about Ron Santo, though. Could make for some interesting radio broadcasts.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 2, 2008 10:51 AM CST up reply actions

Yes!!

I'm very happy and optimistic....Thanks for your wonderful insight.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Jan 1, 2008 5:54 PM CST up reply actions

Its nice to have you as a poster

.....makes me want to get season tix in Japan. Keep posting you have great insight, afterall you are probably literally the only member of this site to have seen him play in person.

Go Cubs
Go Dragons

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Dec 31, 2007 1:25 PM CST reply actions