Dome's diary - Jun. 19th

by dragonsfanatic on Jun 22, 2009 4:01 AM CDT

Dome keeps his diary posted on his website once or twice a month, and here's quick summery of what he wrote on June 19th.

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- Recently I can hardly collect basehits. It should be time to remain in patience both for the team and myself. We are sort of in on-again-off-again situation, hard to fly high above .500. We are struggling. I feel there were too many little mistakes we made in those games and that suffered.

- Just one month to halfway, and want to win as many as we can until then. I'm very healthy, no injury... well, need to be very patient these days.

- Facing Kenshin-san was absolutely fun, and absolutely unnatural. I'd been watching his back from outfield in Dragon-Blue jersey for many years, and then I finally watched his face from the plate in Atlanta in different jerseys. Something wrong. We had to bite inside of our cheeks hard in the first at-bat when we saw each other.

- I knew he is great pitcher since I joined Dragons with precise location control. He pitched mostly down low and corners to me, almost no mistakes, couldn't find easy one.

- I slightly remember there was only one time we faced up in the game before - it was a practice game in Dragons spring camp (2007 in Chatan, Okinawa), and I got struck out swinging (IMG_0257 to IMG_0272).

- After the game, Kenshin-san brought me dine out (note - looks like they ate sushi or sashimi). Off course he picked up the bill :-). We talked a lot, mainly about daily life in US, as I have one year advantage of MLB experience.

- I am looking for our second meetings in Chicago next month, and we will definitely dine out again. Well, I would pick up the bill next time, expectedly...

- I hope I will have more basehits anytime soon, and I know you fans are being patient these days. I will make my best effort to regain my performance.

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Right after he wrote this diary, he collected four hits against Indians, and was hitless but had a couple of nice defensive plays to help Cubs to sweep them. On the other hand, local high school baseball tournament began here in Okinawa ("March Madness" equivalent to us here in Japan, especially in Okinawa) and I don't afford to have much time to watch Cubs game live (not even Dragons), but the next chance is your Wednesday game against Tigers (my Thursday morning). Hope I can join live thread a little bit then.

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

As always, thanks for posting this!

I do think that Dome is looking better at the plate the last few days. His defense is still outstanding. If he can resume hitting the way he did in April and May, that will be a big lift to the team.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Jun 22, 2009 4:11 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks for the insights again, dragon.

I especially like the part where Kenshin had to pick up the tab for dinner. I remember that game because it was on my birthday. If I recall correctly, you were rooting for Dome to get the winning hit after Atlanta had tied it up, taking Kawakami off the hook for the loss. Unfortunately, Aaron Heilman took the loss in that one (he’s been much better lately though). Can’t wait for the rematch. Thanks again!

"I'll never forget how I felt last October." ~Kosuke Fukudome

by Goodie1969 on Jun 22, 2009 7:07 AM CDT reply actions

industry unwriten rules

Kenshin is two years elder than Dome so he has to pick up the tab every time, unconditionally in their industry (at least in Japan). But next month Dome and Cubs will host Kenshin and Braves in Chicago, and it should be very first Chicago experience for Kenshin (on/off the field), also Dome has one year older as MLB player… so that’s why Dome has to think the smoothest way to pick up the bill without letting Kenshin lose his face :-)

by dragonsfanatic on Jun 22, 2009 7:30 AM CDT up reply actions

I've heard it said before

but what a great benefit it is to have dragonfantastic translate these entries! Great stuff!

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Jun 22, 2009 8:28 AM CDT reply actions

I love that Dome writes a diary

It has to be great for the people back in Japan to keep up with Dome through these posts.

Now lets hope he builds on his 4 hit day and gets back to being productive.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jun 22, 2009 9:10 AM CDT reply actions

Dragon

These are such interesting reads. I love them, We are SO LUCKY to have you as a member of BCB.

"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 22, 2009 9:50 AM CDT reply actions

Definitely brings a human side

onto a professional ballplayer, to see what’s going through his mind. I hope Dome doesn’t fall off as badly as he did last season.

by daeviant on Jun 22, 2009 9:57 AM CDT reply actions

Dome

Seems like a great guy. I wish he spoke better English so we could get to know him better.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 22, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks for the translation...

with his limited english skills and all it’s been hard to get to know him…
I wish there was a way we could leave messages for him to let him know the
folks at BCB are rooting for him…

- Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
- Germans?
- Forget it, he's rolling.

by Endrick on Jun 22, 2009 2:26 PM CDT reply actions