Dome's diary - July 6th - Bleed Cubbie Blue

Dome's diary - July 6th

by dragonsfanatic on Jul 7, 2009 6:28 AM CDT Comment 33 comments

Dome keeps his diary posted on his website once or twice a month, and here's quick summery of what he wrote on July 6th.

-----------------------------

- The weather in Chicago is pretty cool. Is it really July? It should be very hot and humid back in Nagoya in the middle of rainy season.

- We won the 4-game series agains 1st place Milwaukee, and came back to .500. It's pretty hard to go high above .500 as of now but we definitely want to ride on upward wave in this 10-game home games at Wrigley.

- The homer was my first one in a while - I thought I never be able to hit another one :-) It's been too long and I almost forget my feelings when I hit homer. It jammed a little bit but went yard well.

- My average goes down a bit recently and I don't mind it yet... well, I'd be lying if I said so, but it is actually too early to mind. There is much more outs than last year that satisfied myself as I felt I did pretty good hitting, so I don't mind.

- After All Star Game, Sasaki-san (Dome's hitting coach Kyosuke Sasaki) will come to Chicago again and check my hitting, so I will be having some refreshing time with my family during ASG break.

- So overall in 1st half of this season, I feel way better than last year so I hope my numbers go up again and resulted well. The team was likely to get off the track a little bit until now, but we definitely want to create margin above .500 as many as we can before ASG. I owe you fans' support a lot and you should be careful for suffering summer heat.

- BTW, Tora (nickname of his best friend Masahiro Araki, Dragons' 2nd baseman) recently made his 250th career stolen base. This should be just another pass point for him, but congrats anyway!

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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Thanks so much Dragonsfanatic

It’s good to know that Dome is feeling better about his hitting, he’s an asset to the team this year. Glad to hear that he’ll be tuning up with his hitting coach — the coach made a big difference in his mechanics this year. Dome tends to devolve back into “helicopter” mode so keeping him aligned is always a good thing.

by Emelie on Jul 7, 2009 6:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks as always for the translation.

Dome has looked much better since moving to the leadoff spot. Hope he keeps up the good work.

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

by Al on Jul 7, 2009 6:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks as always dragon.

One of my favorite fan posts.

"Cubs Win, Cubs Win, CUBS WIN!"

Steve McMichael: "I'm going to have to have a talk with that umpire down there." Angel Hernadez then ejected McMichael. 08/07/2001

by MandMexpress12 on Jul 7, 2009 7:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Mine too

rec’d as always

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 7, 2009 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sweet, thanks Dragon.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 7, 2009 8:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Where is the part

where he tells overreacting and fickle fans to suck it?

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Jul 7, 2009 8:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that's an

american conceit. :D

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is much more outs than last year that satisfied myself as I felt I did pretty good hitting, so I don’t mind.

Excellent. I never stopped believing, Dome!

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 7, 2009 10:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

Thanks, dragonsfanatic, for the translation.

-Charlemagne
"Cubs Win!" "Yes, Sir!" - Pat and Ron, June 12, 2008, Walk off HBP, bottom of the 11th

by Charlemagne on Jul 7, 2009 10:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Charlemagne

I think we have had a discussion about ISU before, but I clicked on your profile….You went to CCHS?

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by jkobus on Jul 7, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Class of 2002. I assume you went to Central as well?

-Charlemagne
"Cubs Win!" "Yes, Sir!" - Pat and Ron, June 12, 2008, Walk off HBP, bottom of the 11th

by Charlemagne on Jul 7, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

2006, actually did some creeping on you found out you’re a Taber. Crazy world. I knew Emily pretty well in high school. And obviously had your dad for class.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by jkobus on Jul 7, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love these

Thanks again dragon.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by jkobus on Jul 7, 2009 10:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad he's keeping his spirits up...

…and that he’ll be consulting again with his hitting coach.

I’d love it if Dome could succeed in the leadoff spot and stay there vs. RHP from now on.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 7, 2009 11:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Dragon, keep them coming.

Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton

by KaliCub on Jul 7, 2009 11:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you Dragons!!!

Hope you had a happy birthday, too!! :-)

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 7, 2009 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Great job!

It’s nice to read about his feelings on his hitting, and how he’s not resting on his laurels. The lead-off spot suits his talents the best, so I hope Lou keeps him there for at least awhile.

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill

by propheteer on Jul 7, 2009 12:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Funny how we thought he was going to be our middle of the order big LH bat when we signed him

and how he’s shown he can do an admirable job filling the void at leadoff instead (through 3 games).

by madcow256 on Jul 7, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It seems like

every left-handed “big bat” never works out for the Cubs. They need to develop a position player who can fit the bill.

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill

by propheteer on Jul 7, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he hasn't "worked out"

for that.. but he’s a darn good OF.

If he can just keep up a good pace, I’ll take it. :-)

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 7, 2009 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too

If he can continue to play great defense, and get on base he should be jus fine.

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill

by propheteer on Jul 7, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno...

…many of us never saw Kosuke as a power hitter. When signed, he looked to me like a “total package” player who would bring some power, but mostly high OBP, good defense and sound fundamental play. When he’s on his game, he’s pretty much fulfilled that expectation. Unfortunately, he’s struggled offensively much more than anticipated.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 7, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He did hit 31 homers in Japan in 2006

I agree about him being the total package, but I think most of us expected him to have a little more power. Maybe hitting the homer on Opening Day was the reason for that.

by madcow256 on Jul 7, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you again for posting these

great, great reading!! rec’d

"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly

by ambrosiadreams on Jul 7, 2009 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

click through to the actual diary

even if you can’t read Japanese; this is the first time I’ve done it and there are some nice pictures there of Kosuke walking on the beach in Chicago.

by false cognate on Jul 7, 2009 12:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Leadoff suits him well, methinks

Soriano could be a killer 2 hitter??? That is, if he’s hitting.

Fuku
Sori
Lee
Ram
Bradley
Theriot
Soto
2B
P
is a nice lineup, albeit a little front-heavy.

Thanks for the post and translation.

by cubbybear on Jul 7, 2009 12:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Nah.

Given the fact that OBP is just about the only thing Milton has brought consistently this season, I’m starting to wonder whether he should bat second once Aramis gets his legs under him:

Dome CF
Bradley RF
DLee 1B
Aramis 3B
Soto C
Soriano LF
Fontenot 2B
Theriot SS
Pitcher

If Soriano actually starts hitting for power again, he could be flip-flopped with Soto.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 7, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like that one, but

LSRRRRLR

Still too many R in a row

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 7, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've kinda abandoned that concept...

…and it seems like Lou has to some extent, too. The way this team has hit this year – I just want guys in roles where they can do the most good (not that batting order makes all that much of a difference anyway).

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 7, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like it overall though

I just know the first time they struggled we’d suffer through another slew of “too much righty in the middle!” again.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 7, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

this may have already been asked on this blog before but......

Why does the diary website show Kohsuke, but everywhere else I’ve seen Kosuke (no H)?

"If you're scared, go buy a dog" - Stacey King

by hackerar on Jul 7, 2009 1:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Dragon's respons

Here

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by jkobus on Jul 7, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs