Fukudome = Instant Hero in Chicago
“Fuk-a-dome-e….Fuk-a-dome-e….Fuk-a-dome-e…”
It was the sound of the Cubs’ faithful on a cool and windy Opening Day at Wrigley Field in the ninth inning when the Cubs had runners on first and second trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the ninth.
And Kosuke Fukudome delivered.
Some things must obviously be difficult for a native Japanese player when first coming over to the United States, but playing baseball evidently isn’t one of them.
Fukudome, the first Japanese born position player in the Cubs’ organzation, couldn’t have had a better opening to his Cubs’ and Major League career.
In his first at bat, on the first pitch he saw from Milwaukee Brewers’ ace Ben Sheets, he laced a line drive over the centerfielder’s head for a double.
He walked in his second plate appearance showing great plate discipline.
Fukudome picked up the Cubs’ second hit of the day with a single up the middle.
Then with the Cubbies trailing in the ninth, Derrek Lee became the first Cub not named Fukudome to get a hit. Following a walk to Aramis Ramirez, the crowd began to chant as Fukudome walked to the plate.
Pitcher Eric Gagne fell behind in the count 3-0 before throwing his first strike in eight pitches. He then threw his third consecutive fastball and Fukudome jumped all over it promptly planting it into the Wrigley bleachers much to the delight of all those in attendance.
Fukudome received such an ovation that he was forced to come out to tip his hat for the curtain call. He also received a standing O from those in the outfield bleachers when he took his defensive position in right field for the 10th inning.
The Cubs eventually lost 4-3 in the 10th inning, but for Fukudome, it will be a day he will always remember.
Not a bad start for a first major league game.
Shotgun Spratling
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