Wonderful Fukudome story that I thought I'd share.
by lemon20pie on Jul 24, 2008 12:18 PM CDT
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PrintA friend of mine, who's a Chicago native, has a son (Alan)who was born with a congenital heart disease, and who is a huge Cub fan and an even bigger Fukudome fan, had his 5th open heart surgery last week. Naturally, going into open heart surgery is a very stressful and terrifying time for Alan and the family and we all thought it'd be a good idea if we contacted Fukudome's representatives and let him know that a huge fan of his was about to undergo major heart surgery and that if Fukudome had the time to maybe give Alan his best wishes or an autograph or something, It'd make Alan's dreams come true and lift his spirits for his surgery.
Fukudome obliged by writing his best wishes in Japanese on a Cubs itinerary which was translated into english and a signed baseball, which Alan got a week before his surgery and the smile was still planted on his face when he went into surgery, knowing his hero was praying for him. The story doesn't end there.
Monday night Alan's dad Stephen got a phone call asking him how good he was at keeping secrets, cuz this one was a doozy. Tuesday morning Alan was told by his Dad that he got a phone call last night and that everything was fine with Alan but they had to go back to the hospital for some routine follow up procedures. Once at the hospital and on the way to the "routine check up", Alan's dad said he wanted to stop into the TV room to grab a cup of coffee and that Alan should grab some water. When Alan opened up the door to the TV room, Alan's face turned a pale white as standing before him in the flesh was his hero, Kosuke Fukudome. Fukudome was holding a Cubs bag and handed the bag to Alan and asked Alan to open it up and inside were 4 tickets to last nights game, which were located right behind the Cubs dugout.
I really shouldn't be posting this as the family was told not to leak this to any media outlets, but I couldn't resist. By Kosuke taking 30 minutes out of his day, he has effected not only a boy's life forever, but everyone around him. Fukudome, you now are my hero as well.
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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I got goosebumps reading that :)
"We have a pretty strong belief that we are going to win those types of games. It's our confidence. "--Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 24, 2008 12:22 PM CDT reply actions
This is a great story...
I’m pleased to hear that Dome is as awesome a guy off the field as he seems on it. Kudos to him.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 24, 2008 12:22 PM CDT reply actions
Awesome!
I just notified channel 5! Kidding. How cool that this guy does things like this in a country where he COULD feel overwhelmed and alone. Instead he does things like this. What a great guy!
Calm down.
Oh wait
I meant channel 7! My mistake.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jul 24, 2008 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
really nice story
glad to know there are some good people out there
Ramlee Zamfukusoridero
Kosoke is the man
"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes
by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 24, 2008 12:40 PM CDT reply actions
sorry I mean: " Kosuke"
"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes
by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jul 24, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow, that is a pretty amazing story.
Kudos to Kosuke for being so generous with his time.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Way to go.
If Kosuke should ever be considered for the Hall of Fame at the end of his career then this sort of thing should be a factor in the decision.
Pass along “Best Wishes” to Alan.
by Dave Pendleton on Jul 24, 2008 12:53 PM CDT reply actions
Thank you, I will.
His recovery is going great. The fact that he can be at a baseball game a week and a half after major heart surgery is a testament to his strength and to the medical advances in this area. Incidentally, without getting to graphic, the procedure done was to put in a pig’s aorta and replace the old one as he is growing, so is his heart.
Alan is a strong SOB that’s for sure. I guess he has to be to be as big a Cubs fan as he is ;)~
Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen
Thanks for sharing
such a heart warming story. What a very sweet thing for Kouske to do. It says a lot about the type of man he is.
I wish Alan a speeding recovery and hope he enjoyed seeing his beloved Cubs win and a good game by Kouske.
Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.
Fantastic story!
What a great guy Kosuke is for doing this, and all my best wishes to your friend for his complete recovery.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Great story.
Really shows the character of Fukudome. He is an amazing guy on and off the field.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
That is awesome.
Kosuke is a class act! Here’s to a speedy recovery for Alan!
"Memory believes before knowing remembers. Believes longer than recollects, longer than knowing even wonders."
-- William Faulkner
What a man
It’s good know that someone I admire greatly for his baseball skills also proves what a gracious human being he is off the field as well. He’s a classy guy.
What doesn't kill you makes you stranger -- The Joker
That's how to roll!
so nice to read positive stories. What a thrill for the young lad. Prayers to his family.
""At the end of the day, boys, you don't tell me how rough the water is, you bring in the ship." -- Steve Stone
What would it take...
to get the kid a World Series ticket if the Cubs can get there?
and also….maybe the Cubs can play the rest of the season for him so that can happen.
I'm sure we could pass the hat on this site...
to make that possible.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Great story.
And it tells so much about Fukodome’s character too-esp. the fact that he did it wanting to media exposure. This made my day.
Great!
got goose bumps too! that just shows that we are all humans and Kosuke and the rest of the players do care.
Wow... Fukudome is
a better person than I am. This is the best thing I’ve seen in a long time.
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
Amazing
More importantly, I hope your friend recovers in time to make to the WS this year. Go Cubs.
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
A reminder...
This reminds us all as Cubs fans how absolutely small our hobby of rooting for our team really is. This was really a great gesture by Dome, and best wishes for Alan’s full recovery.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
special
thats what this team is. i know it just know it.
Dear SBnation, We need our own server here at BCB seeing how its became very slow due to enormous amounts of traffic. P.S. Impeach Bud Selig!!!
That's awesome.
Good on ya, Kosuke. And I too extend best wishes of recovery to Alan.
Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.
Great to hear he's no change
Awesome story and no surprise to me, as he is always so kind to kids, especially with difficulties or disease. He always prioritize kids to give his autograph.
I hope Alan get well sooner.
I'm bleeding Dragons Blue.
I love stories like this
I got a lil misty reading that. Thank you.
Tell Alan we hope he gets well soon!
I think it’s just his face. - dat cubfan daver
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jul 24, 2008 10:11 PM CDT reply actions
After a hell of a day at work...
this story brought me to tears and made me realize why I love this game and the opportunity to read this outlet. Please pass along my most sincere best wishes. Thanks so much!
I'm trying to think of another player in sports who became a vital part of a team so quickly
And all I can come up with is when Reggie White went to Green Bay.
Is it possible for a first year player to become a lifelong fan’s favorite player? YEP!
Wow. That is simply awesome.
And it makes me smile even more to know it was done away from the eyes of the media. It was done for Alan and no one else.
Cheers for sharing, though.
I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling, so why don't we just ignore each other til we go away.
by neverAcquiesce on Jul 25, 2008 10:19 AM CDT reply actions
kosuke
class guy.when he was here in tampa he would pose for pics for the fans during outfield practice.then bow.
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