An Open Letter To Kosuke Fukudome

by Al Yellon on Dec 2, 2007 12:16 PM CST in Chicago Cubs News

Here's what I put into Google Translate to get what appears above the fold:

Greetings, Mr. Fukudome. I run the Chicago Cubs blog called "Bleed Cubbie Blue", a place where Cubs fans around the world meet to discuss the Cubs and baseball. Many of my readers, myself included, would like you to sign a contract to play for the Cubs. You are exactly what the Cubs need -- a left-handed hitting right fielder who plays excellent defense, who gets on base often by both hitting well and drawing walks, and who can hit a home run on occasion. In addition, the Cubs don't have anyone who is wearing the uniform number -- #1 -- that you wear in Japan. It's almost as if that number is being saved just for you. Chicago is a vibrant city, and even though there may not be as large a Japanese population here as in some other American cities, I am certain you would enjoy living and playing here. Please ask Tadahito Iguchi about his time in Chicago; I am certain he would tell you he enjoyed it immensely. I hope that soon, you and your agent will sit down with the Cubs' general manager, Jim Hendry, and discuss contract terms so that we can see you playing at Wrigley Field, as a member of the Cubs, this season and for years to come.

Respectfully, Al Yellon

When I put the Japanese text back into Google Translate, it came back... well, close, but not perfect:

Greetings, Mr. fukudome MASU. My running Chicago Cubs blog called "bleed cubbie blue" is the place to Cubs fans all over the world meet to discuss baseball and the Cubs. Many of my readers, myself included, want to sign the contract for you PUREKABUSUMASU. You just need Cubs - a left-handed hitting right fielder who plays good defense, who is often on base by drawing walks and hitting both well, and who have the opportunity to hit a home run. The Cubs do not have anyone in uniform but the number - # 1 - which, in Japan wear. It is almost as if you have the numbers just to be able to save them. Chicago City is a vibrant, in spite of there, but Japan's large-scale population here as some other American cities, I am certain that you will enjoy living here, in playing. Hick commissioned by the timing of the Chicago Inokuti In Commerce;? I believe he is very enjoyable. I hope to soon, you and your agent will sit down and the Cubs' general manager, JIMUHENDORI, and discuss the terms of the contract so it could be, you play please refer to RIGUREFIRUDO, the Cubs as a member of this season and for years to come.

Respectfully, Al yellon

It didn't do very well with "Tadahito Iguchi", oddly enough. But I particularly like "JIMUHENDORI".

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Comments

Genius....

Well done Al....Your Japanese is quite impressive! ;)

Lets hope Kosuke logs on!

I take it there are no Japanese charecters or Kanji for Yellon?

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Dec 2, 2007 12:07 PM CST reply actions

Apparently not!

n/t

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 2, 2007 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

Generally...

...when encountering loanwords, they use either katakana, or "romanji" -- that being the standard Roman alphabet.

That said, Yellon seems to be very difficult to transliterate into katakana. It doesn't help that kana was my weakest point in Japanese 111.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Dec 2, 2007 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

If I remember correctly...

... from my time in Japan, the "kanji" characters are the traditional Japanese language and are the ones that appear more "square" above. "Katakana", as cwyers says, are attempts by the Japanese to transliterate non-Japanese words into a Japanese form, and are shown above as the more "squiggly" looking characters.

Correct?

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 2, 2007 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

Very nice!

Yes, Jim Hendry = "JIMUHENDORI" is very nice.

I also like Wrigley Field = "RIGUREFIRUDO."

by John Q Freejazz on Dec 2, 2007 12:08 PM CST reply actions

I liked this part

"Many of my readers, myself included, want to sign the contract for you"

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Dec 2, 2007 12:09 PM CST reply actions

Also this...

... "You just need Cubs".

Agreed!

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 2, 2007 12:10 PM CST up reply actions

I just figured out "PUREKABUSUMASU"

"Play for the Cubs".

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 2, 2007 12:09 PM CST reply actions

Now THAT'S Whay I'm TALKIN' ABOUT

AL!

You Da Nippon MAN!! HA!

Fuku has a WEB SITE- Dude, you HAVE to post this there!!

WTG!!

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

by TheEman on Dec 2, 2007 12:14 PM CST reply actions

He does have a website.

Here it is. There doesn't seem to be a message board or any other place to post things like this. If anyone finds one, feel free to post this link there.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 2, 2007 12:32 PM CST up reply actions

well, there's this form on his site

but who knows what it does or how to fill it out.

http://www.yamasakitakeshi.com/message/form.html

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on Dec 2, 2007 7:19 PM CST up reply actions

nevermind. that's some other guy.

so much for just clicking a bunch of links.

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on Dec 2, 2007 7:23 PM CST up reply actions

SIMPLY GREAT

Thank You, Al !!!

If It Takes Forever ....

by wrigley1 on Dec 2, 2007 12:22 PM CST reply actions

You can try...

info@fukudome1.com?

first, last

last, first

we have plenty of amateur hackers here who should be able to figure this out.

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

by TheEman on Dec 2, 2007 1:01 PM CST reply actions

Al you are FAR more obsessed with Fukudome

Than I am with Fuld. Just because he is the "cheapest " option in
that he only costs money I am not too thrilled with the idea that
a guy who has never played a day in the MLB is our savior. He could Igawa or Kaz Matsui rather than Ichiro or Hikeki Matsui.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Dec 2, 2007 1:03 PM CST reply actions

I agree sort of...

I don't think Fukudome will be as good as Hideki Matsui, but I don't he'll be as bad as Kaz Matsui either. Each of those guys had a pretty consistent translation from their Japanese stats to their MLB stats. So getting a feel for where Fukudome will be shouldn't be impossible.

I think he'll pretty much be a LH, better defensive version of what Matt Murton has done the last few years (.360ish OBP, .800ish OPS). The question is whether that's worth 3 years and $30+ million. I'm just not sure that it is.

I won't be distraught if we get Fukudome, because I don't think he's going to be a negative. I just think that the money spent on Fukudome could be better spent elsewhere (in future years). I especially think this when I consider the possibility that Murton will progress as a power hitter and Colvin may (or may not) be ready for the 2009 season.

by SouthernCub on Dec 2, 2007 1:23 PM CST up reply actions

Good Idea

That is a great idea! The club worked hard to improve last year and I don't want them to sit on their rear ends and not do anything to take that next step.

A Cub fan in Cardinal territory.

by FSArkCubsFan on Dec 2, 2007 1:32 PM CST reply actions

Al

Is there an audio file available?

We don't need Matsui Kaz he ain't Fuku.

by tharr on Dec 2, 2007 1:39 PM CST reply actions

LOL

Anyone here speak Japanese and want to take a stab at it? If so, email me the audio file and I'll post it.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 2, 2007 1:50 PM CST up reply actions

As mentioned above...

...speaking Japanese, I can do. (Sorta.) READING it... not so much.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Dec 2, 2007 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think he meant

what you are implying.

LOL!

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

by TheEman on Dec 2, 2007 2:33 PM CST up reply actions

Um.

I have no idea what I'm implying here. I lived in Japan for a year and took Japanese classes at the University of Maryland extension campus; I got a C because I couldn't handle reading or writing it for the life of me, but I was conversationally proficent (thought not fluent).

So, there you go.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Dec 2, 2007 2:38 PM CST up reply actions

Ohhhhhhh!

Sorry - my own twisted mind.

Good for you that you even studied the language.

My kids have a chance to learn the language in Jr. High, as well as at the HS. In fact, two close girlfriends of my 16 y.o. are in Japan right now as exch. students.

A terrific and beneficial opportunity, imo, to learn the language at a relatively young age.

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

by TheEman on Dec 2, 2007 3:04 PM CST up reply actions

YAAA KAAA!!

Anyone watch Heroes?

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 2, 2007 2:34 PM CST reply actions

Buster Olney is reporting...

...that Jacoby Ellsbury is in the Sox's Santana package, but Lester is out.

Reason #879 why the Cubs are not getting Johann Santana.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Dec 2, 2007 2:42 PM CST reply actions

In The Spirit of X-Mas Season...

... and writing letters to Santa.

Can we find a direct address to send letters to Fukudome?

Wouldn't it be cool if those BCB'ers who really want to see Fukudome sign with the Cubs rally together and write their own words to "plea" with Fukudome to join our cause?

Then, if we could have one of our BCB'ers do proper/accurate translation (no offense to Google's translation tool, but it is not entirely accurate -- I'd hate to insult him due to phrases that are lost in translation!), we could then send them to his attention (albeit electronically, or the old fashion way!).

Imagine the warm welcoming he would get from us? I wouldn't doubt if dozens of us would do something like this in the coming days.

Imagine if he were to sign with us and he cites our letters as contributing to this decision?!? Wow!

Al has already written his... and a great job at that!

by initram on Dec 2, 2007 3:05 PM CST reply actions

By the time he'd

get the letters, he's be signed (provided he decides to come to the US)

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

by TheEman on Dec 2, 2007 4:26 PM CST up reply actions

"Letters"...

... can be electronic.

The turn-around time could be hours, not days.

by initram on Dec 2, 2007 4:54 PM CST up reply actions

There appears to be...

... a link to submit info to the site here, although it's in Japanese.

I'll run it through a translator and see if I can figure out what it's for.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 2, 2007 5:11 PM CST up reply actions

JIMUHENDORI

I think someone should use this as their signature.

by Cub Fan in Card Country on Dec 2, 2007 4:34 PM CST reply actions

RIGUREFIRUDO

ah, home sweet RIGUREFIRUDO, lol

Very nice, let's hope this letter makes it to him and that it works!

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Opening Day '08

by love the ivy on Dec 2, 2007 6:43 PM CST reply actions

It can't hurt...

...nice work Al.

Hopefully Jim Hendry is as obsessed with him as you and I are.

And hopefully he'll make his decision whether or not to come to the U.S. soon...this is killing me!

Cubs chances in '08? Beats the FUK-U-DO-ME!

by Hugest Canadian Cubs Fan on Dec 2, 2007 6:53 PM CST reply actions

RIP 2007 BEARS

Offensive line D-

Quarterback C-

Defense C-

Special Teams A-/B+

Receivers C-

Running back - B-

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

by TheEman on Dec 2, 2007 7:07 PM CST reply actions

How, how, HOW are you giving the running back...

...a B-? If this is a single-game score, then Grossman deserves at least a B for putting up a 130 passer rating while dealing with an O-line that can't block; if it's seasonal than we have to acknowledge that the Bears running backs were probably the worst unit in the NFL.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Dec 2, 2007 7:13 PM CST up reply actions

A large part of the RB problem...

is the fact that the O-line is a legitimate D-. It's hard to expect much from the running game when the O-line is getting beaten so regularly.

There's a lot to address with this team. Improving the O-line, deciding if Grossman is worth keeping around, upgrading the running back position, and addressing the defense (I can't believe I'm saying that last one).

by SouthernCub on Dec 2, 2007 7:18 PM CST up reply actions

Another large part

of the RB problem is that our prior RB was fat, out of shape, and totally lacked the ability to make a cut or even use head fakes to break out for big runs. The Bears, HAD a better chance with A Peterson geting the touches.

Trading T. Jones could have been the most idiotic move ever...not just cause he was a better back, but because they got dirty laundry for him.

What a freakin joke. And now our ever so fragile Ced, is out for season. Gimme a break man. Bears deserved to suck this bad and I only wish they lost more games so that they could get a higher pick. They probably would have traded it away though for a punter or something!

MMMMM...Golden shrimp and chicken combo from Ron of Japan!

by Kinky Reggae on Dec 3, 2007 9:00 AM CST up reply actions

have u seen TJ

this season? He's been as bad as Benson

and he's approaching the dreaded 30 year old mark for RB's

paying him that kind of money would've been insanely stupid

by DartmouthCubsFan on Dec 3, 2007 3:21 PM CST up reply actions

Cwyers...take a breath

and be objective. As baba states below, the O line is O for OLD and BAD. A. Peterson did a very nice job of BLOCKING in max protect when asked, had some terrific plays in RAC's and 3.0 av. to boot. With several tough runs to pick up 1st downs.

He is no Walter Payton, but certainly did a very credible job and is weighed down by his line. And, tough-as-nails - something that the $16MM dollar man is not (not to mention cannot run outside to save his life).

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

by TheEman on Dec 2, 2007 7:24 PM CST up reply actions

wtf, grossman c-?

296 yards
25-46
130+ Passer Rating?
0 Turnovers?

PIE!!!

by LilLPLancer23 on Dec 2, 2007 8:16 PM CST up reply actions

Read below...

"passer rating" does not include "pocket presence rating", but yeah, I would have to change his grade to solid B or B+.

I cannot ever give a QB an A when his team loses. Sorry.

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

by TheEman on Dec 2, 2007 8:29 PM CST up reply actions

Come to think of it

Grossman did a decent job today. Brilliant in the 1st drive, but has ABSOLUTELY NO POCKET PRESENCE.

Sorry - didn't mean to yell - but he's so frustrating to watch.

Of course, his rating today would have been higher had the receivers not have dropped their usual 5-6 passes.

pfffft.

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

by TheEman on Dec 2, 2007 7:27 PM CST reply actions

I only got the final minutes here...

being that I live in NC. But I was particularly frustrated with some of the drops I saw. I'm not saying Grossman is great, but he made some good throws late, and the WR let him down. It sounds like this isn't an isolated problem.

It's going to be a very interesting offseason, because the team has a lot of decisions to make. Do they stick with Benson, who's been very injury-prone and generally unimpressive when healthy? Do they go with Grossman in hopes that he's turning the corner in learning the QB position? Do they retain Berrian and hope he makes the jump to the next tier of WR and stops dropping so many passes?

by SouthernCub on Dec 2, 2007 8:14 PM CST up reply actions