2005 Nippon Series: Game One

The Chiba Lotte Marines take Game One of the 2005 Nippon Series by a score of 10-1, the game called due to fog in the middle of the 7th inning.

MHStevie provided a great game recount in the chat room, with the transcript below.

To answer the question posed, yes, the fog just suddenly starting rolling over the top of the stadium on the first base side in the top of the seventh inning. By the bottom of the seventh, it was getting pretty thick. I was on the third base side, behind the Tigers' dugout, and I couldn't see either home run ball that inning enter the stands - I lost both in the fog. After Benny's home run, the umpires got together and we entered a "fog delay" (photos to follow tomorrow).

Now, the chatroom transcript (with thanks to MHStevie):

10:05: westbaystars - The chat room is ready for Nippon Series Game One chatter.
10:06: westbaystars - I'll be at the game, but hope that some people with TV access can help out letting others know how it's progressing.
18:05: toraintewig - test, WT from Osaka here
18:11: toraintewig - no one else here?
19:50: MHStevie - Good morning from New York... ^_^
19:51: MHStevie - Well, with nothing better to do now I'll post a bit of recapping...
19:52: MHStevie - Though my source is only the Yahoo! Japan text feed, which anyone could access...
19:54: MHStevie - Hanshin threatened immediately in the top of the 1st...
19:54: MHStevie - Shimizu for Lotte issued a leadoff walk to the dangerous Akahoshi.
19:55: MHStevie - After striking out Toritani on three pitches...
19:56: MHStevie - ...Sheets knocked a ball through the gap between short and 3rd for a base hit.
19:56: MHStevie - With runners on first and second with one out, it was looking good... but...
19:57: MHStevie - Shimizu was able to get Tigers clean-up man Kanemoto to ground into the double play!
19:58: MHStevie - In the bottom of the first, the Marines got on the board...
20:00: MHStevie - After a Nishioka strikeout, Imae in the 2nd slot takes an Igawa "shoot" pitch high and away into the seats in left!
20:01: MHStevie - Fukuura doubled after that, but the Marines couldn't capitalize...
20:02: MHStevie - Saburo grounded out, and then Igawa struck out Satozaki to end the inning.
20:02: MHStevie - -----------
20:02: MHStevie - Marines 1, Tigers 0 -- END 1st
20:02: MHStevie - ----------
20:03: MHStevie - Shimizu retired the side in order in the top of the 2nd, striking out Kataoka to end the inning.
20:04: MHStevie - In the bottom of the 2nd, Benny reached base with one out...
20:05: MHStevie - Looked like some sort of infield hit...
20:06: MHStevie - But he was stranded, as Igawa struck out Lee...
20:07: MHStevie - ...and Lotte 2B Masato Watanabe grounded out to short to end the inning.
20:09: MHStevie - Yano led off the top of the 3rd with a base hit into left field...
20:10: MHStevie - ...but Shimizu got the next three batters to ground out to first.
20:11: MHStevie - In the bottom of the 3rd, Nishoka walked to start the inning.
20:13: MHStevie - But it looks like he was caught stealing before any pitches were thrown to Imae...
20:13: MHStevie - Imae got an infield hit to get on base...
20:14: MHStevie - Fukuura watched Strike 3 go by for the second out...
20:15: MHStevie - And then Saburo struck out on three straight pitches to end the inning.
20:15: MHStevie - Hey, zman!
20:16: MHStevie - Just posting a recap here with the help of Yahoo! Japan...
20:16: MHStevie - Shimizu retired the Tigers in order again in the top of the 4th.
20:17: zzman - hello there
20:17: zzman - thanks for the update
20:17: MHStevie - With two outs in the bottom of the 4th, Benny got a base hit grounder into left field...
20:18: MHStevie - But Lee struck out swinging to end the 4th inning.
20:19: MHStevie - Hiyama led off the top of the 5th inning with a liner up the middle for a base hit!
20:20: MHStevie - After Kataoka struck out, Yano lined a ball into right!
20:21: MHStevie - Hiyama was able to take third on that hit...
20:21: MHStevie - And with one out, Fujimoto was able to get him home on a SAC fly to left!
20:22: MHStevie - Akahoshi grounded out to end the inning, but the Tigers tied it up in the top of the 5th!
20:22: MHStevie - --------
20:22: MHStevie - Marines 1, Tigers 1 -- MID 5th
20:22: MHStevie - --------
20:24: MHStevie - Watanabe for the Marines lined a base hit into left off Igawa to lead off the bottom half...
20:24: MHStevie - Nishioka followed that up with a groundball hit toward second base...
20:25: MHStevie - Two on and no one out for Imae, who hit the solo shot for Lotte in the 1st...
20:26: MHStevie - And he came through again with a line drive double into right field!
20:26: MHStevie - Watanabe was able to score, but Nishioka was held up at third...
20:27: MHStevie - Fukuura grounded to short for the first out.
20:28: MHStevie - With runners now at second and third, Saburo gave the Marines the lead again...
20:28: MHStevie - ...with a line drive double into left field!
20:28: MHStevie - Both runners score!
20:29: MHStevie - Igawa still on the mound, and Satozaki flied out to right for Out #2.
20:29: MHStevie - Franco struck out to end the inning, but the damage was done...
20:29: MHStevie - --------
20:30: MHStevie - Marines 4, Tigers 1 -- END 5th
20:30: MHStevie - --------
20:31: MHStevie - In the top of the 6th, Toritani grounded out to lead things off...
20:31: zzman - this is turning into a rout
20:31: MHStevie - ...but Sheets took a 2-2 cutter from Shimizu back up the middle for a double!
20:32: MHStevie - Kanemoto grounded out to third for the second out.
20:32: MHStevie - And then Imaoka popped out to center to end the threat...
20:33: MHStevie - Benny popped out to short to start the bottom of the 6th...
20:34: MHStevie - And then Lee took a 3-2 slider up and in over the right field wall! HAITTA!!
20:35: MHStevie - Igawa *still* on the mound, and he struck out Watanabe for the second out.
20:35: MHStevie - And Nishioka popped out to end things there...
20:35: MHStevie - --------
20:36: MHStevie - Marines 5, Tigers 1 -- END 6th
20:36: MHStevie - --------
20:37: MHStevie - Shimizu reitred the side in order again in the top of the 7th...
20:37: MHStevie - ...including two K's to Hiyama and Kataoka.
20:38: MHStevie - His stuff must have been working tonight... only five hits issued to the Tigers to this point.
20:39: MHStevie - Igawa didn't come out for the bottom of the 7th, though...
20:40: MHStevie - Hashimoto came in, and gives up a base hit to Imae to lead off...
20:41: MHStevie - Fukuura then took a fastball low and away up the middle for another hit!
20:41: MHStevie - Runners at first and second, no one out...
20:41: MHStevie - Saburo popped out for the first out.
20:42: MHStevie - Looks like Imae tagged up and took third on that pop-out...
20:43: MHStevie - Satozaki then took a 1-1 hanging changeup from Hashimoto and sent in into the left field seats!
20:44: zzman - ouch, that hurts
20:44: MHStevie - The next batter, Franco, grounded a ball up the middle for a base hit...
20:44: MHStevie - Still only one out...
20:45: MHStevie - It gets worse...
20:45: MHStevie - Benny's up next, and Hashimoto gives him a fastball right down the middle to start...
20:45: zzman - say it isnt so stevie
20:45: MHStevie - ...and the fans in left field get *another* souvenir!
20:46: zzman - massacre
20:46: MHStevie - Two-run shot for Benny makes it 10-1 for the Marines...
20:46: MHStevie - And we're actually caught up to live action now...
20:46: MHStevie - YIKES!
20:47: zzman - benny is prime-time material
20:47: MHStevie - Yeah, he and Imae seem to be the hottest hitters tonight for Lotte...
20:48: zzman - I guess the tiger relievers will get another day of rest
20:48: zzman - not that they need more rest . . .
20:49: MHStevie - Imae's 4-for-4, and Benny's 3-for-4 so far tonight...
20:49: zzman - the fans at makuhari must be overjoyed
20:50: MHStevie - I can imagine they must be going nuts...
20:50: MHStevie - I can't remember if Westbay-san mentioned where he was sitting...
20:51: MHStevie - Here's the line on Igawa:
20:53: MHStevie - 6 innings, 10 hits, 5 runs, 9 K's, 1 walk
20:53: steve - You guys couldn't afford to shell out 70000 yen for tickets either?
20:53: MHStevie - He faced 28 batters and threw 106 pitches.
20:53: MHStevie - Greetings, Steve!
20:54: MHStevie - Wish I could say it was a closer game, but this has turned into a blowout...
20:54: steve - Hey guys.....you think it's rust?
20:54: MHStevie - I'd have to shell out more than that... I'd need a plane ticket as well... ^_^;;
20:55: MHStevie - It could be... Sheets and Yano seem to be locked in, but that's about it...
20:55: zzman - hope so stevie, otherwise this will be a quick series
20:55: steve - Train fare alone will kill ya!
20:56: MHStevie - Wow... Yahoo! still hasn't updated since that shot by Benny...
20:57: steve - Why did they go with Igawa first? He's had a pretty mediocre year.....watch the boards tomorrow, Tigers fan will yell
20:57: zzman - i am in japan so can check the score on TV, BRB.
20:57: steve - I'll do it ....they're doing the wave right now
20:58: MHStevie - Was there a pitching change? Is that the delay?
20:58: steve - Rain delay I think everyhting is stopped
20:59: MHStevie - Ah... yeah, I saw the rain icon on there...
20:59: zzman - you wont believe this, its a fog delay
20:59: steve - Benny is pointing at the stands and Nishioka is talking with him
20:59: zzman - first time ever . . .
20:59: steve - It does look they are playing in a burning building
21:00: MHStevie - Wow... yeah, that's the first I've heard of that...
21:00: zzman - exactly . . .
21:00: zzman - I have been out there at makuhari when its impossible to see
21:01: MHStevie - Hashimoto gave up as many runs in 17 pitches as Igawa did in 106... not good...
21:01: zzman - like San Francisco when the giants played at candlestick . . .
21:02: MHStevie - Here's the line on Shimizu so far:
21:02: MHStevie - 7 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 6 K's, 1 walk...
21:03: MHStevie - He's faced 26 batters and thrown 87 pitches.
21:03: steve - Will they call it?
21:03: MHStevie - The big bats have been silent for the Tigers...
21:04: MHStevie - Their only run was on Fujimoto's SAC fly...
21:04: steve - The umps are gathered at home plate
21:04: MHStevie - Kanemoto's 0-for-3 so far...
21:04: MHStevie - Kataoka's 0-for-3 with 3 K's... ouch!
21:05: steve - Games over
21:05: zzman - game has ended
21:05: steve - Called after 7 innings because of fog
21:05: zzman - strange way to end a very sad game for the tigers
21:06: zzman - if score was 3-2 they could not do this but since its 10-1
21:06: MHStevie - Was anyone watching the game earlier? Did that fog just roll in, or were they playing in it most of the game?
21:06: steve - Mercy killing.....they don't have to play another 45 minutes
21:07: steve - get some sleep and come back tomorrow
21:07: MHStevie - That's what I figured... once the score got out of hand, they could feel better calling it...
21:07: steve - Wasn't like that early.....maybe the 5th or 6th it started
21:08: steve - Bobby Valentine is out for the interview
21:08: steve - Great win...to bad it wasn't 9 came out swinging
21:09: steve - we had our parts going first of a 7 game series
21:09: steve - so happy fans could see this looking forward to many tomorrow
21:10: steve - japanese..........fans thanks for coming see you tomorrow
21:10: steve - 2 steves?
21:11: steve - Shimizu and somebody else for the hero interview
21:11: MHStevie - Hai... ^_^
21:11: zzman - what a class act bobby V is . . .
21:11: zzman - so what team is he coaching next year in the bigs
21:11: MHStevie - Could it be Imae?
21:12: steve - Yes I believe it is
21:12: MHStevie - I don't know... he might stay with the Marines...
21:12: MHStevie - I think he wanted to stay in '95, but he was forced out...
21:13: MHStevie - I figured... Imae was 4-for-4 with 2 RBI...
21:13: steve - Big power play in the front office in 95
21:14: MHStevie - It definitely looks like he enjoys it there...
21:14: steve - He's a big celebrity here.....back home he has to deal with the radio fools
21:15: steve - But if the Dodgers offered him the job I think he'd take it
21:15: steve - Him and Lasorda are really close I think
21:15: MHStevie - I think you need a *really* thick skin to be associated with the Mets in any capacity... ^_^
21:16: steve - Be careful.....you might piss off Luplow
21:16: MHStevie - It might depend on what happens in this series too...
21:17: MHStevie - If Tigers end up winning, you think Bobby would stay to try and win one for Lotte?
21:18: steve - I think he really likes this team.......it has his mark
21:18: MHStevie - If Marines win, he might feel more like "a job well done" and be open to an MLB offer?
21:18: steve - I don't think he'd have that much Latitude in the bigs
21:18: MHStevie - But I get that feeling too... he seems very happy with the Marines...
21:19: MHStevie - And now I see many more mentions of NPB on American media with his presence...
21:19: steve - I think he'll honor the contract.......I think he's also trying to rehab his image
21:20: MHStevie - Another Bobby V (Bob Valvano) had a nice segment on his ESPN radio show about NPB...
21:21: MHStevie - And they mentioned the Marines' PL on the ESPN TV show PTI (Pardon the Interruption)...
21:21: steve - That show kills me......it's like a car accident
21:21: MHStevie - Though their discussion drifted to "should we toss U.S. managers into the air like that?"
21:22: steve - kornheiser is a buffoon and Wilbon is about as intimidating as Erkel
21:23: MHStevie - I'm just happy to hear NPB stuff being discussed at all... it's getting tough for the media here to ignore now...
21:23: steve - Even though he tries to talk tough
21:24: steve - Good.......it should get bigger with the world championships
21:24: MHStevie - Valvano made the same mistake I did initially...
21:24: MHStevie - He thought it was cool there was a team named the "Ham Fighters"...
21:25: steve - And the increasing success of Ichiro et al, and the Kapler flameout
21:25: MHStevie - Not thinking it was the "Nippon Ham" Fighters...
21:25: steve - I was guilty of that too!
21:26: steve - Allright gotta go........talk to ya all tomorrow.....good night
21:26: steve - I'll try to be on time!
21:26: MHStevie - With guys like Ichiro, Godzilla and Iguchi doing well it forces the commentators to talk about their NPB history...
21:27: MHStevie - Nice seeing you... I'll try to be here tomorrow, but that's when my radio show is on...
21:28: MHStevie - OK, I think I'm going to head out too... nice talking to you, zman!
21:28: MHStevie - L8r!
21:32: zzman - sorry guys, got distracte10:05: westbaystars - The chat room is ready for Nippon Series Game One chatter.
10:06: westbaystars - I'll be at the game, but hope that some people with TV access can help out letting others know how it's progressing.
18:05: toraintewig - test, WT from Osaka here
18:11: toraintewig - no one else here?
19:50: MHStevie - Good morning from New York... ^_^
19:51: MHStevie - Well, with nothing better to do now I'll post a bit of recapping...
19:52: MHStevie - Though my source is only the Yahoo! Japan text feed, which anyone could access...
19:54: MHStevie - Hanshin threatened immediately in the top of the 1st...
19:54: MHStevie - Shimizu for Lotte issued a leadoff walk to the dangerous Akahoshi.
19:55: MHStevie - After striking out Toritani on three pitches...
19:56: MHStevie - ...Sheets knocked a ball through the gap between short and 3rd for a base hit.
19:56: MHStevie - With runners on first and second with one out, it was looking good... but...
19:57: MHStevie - Shimizu was able to get Tigers clean-up man Kanemoto to ground into the double play!
19:58: MHStevie - In the bottom of the first, the Marines got on the board...
20:00: MHStevie - After a Nishioka strikeout, Imae in the 2nd slot takes an Igawa "shoot" pitch high and away into the seats in left!
20:01: MHStevie - Fukuura doubled after that, but the Marines couldn't capitalize...
20:02: MHStevie - Saburo grounded out, and then Igawa struck out Satozaki to end the inning.
20:02: MHStevie - -----------
20:02: MHStevie - Marines 1, Tigers 0 -- END 1st
20:02: MHStevie - ----------
20:03: MHStevie - Shimizu retired the side in order in the top of the 2nd, striking out Kataoka to end the inning.
20:04: MHStevie - In the bottom of the 2nd, Benny reached base with one out...
20:05: MHStevie - Looked like some sort of infield hit...
20:06: MHStevie - But he was stranded, as Igawa struck out Lee...
20:07: MHStevie - ...and Lotte 2B Masato Watanabe grounded out to short to end the inning.
20:09: MHStevie - Yano led off the top of the 3rd with a base hit into left field...
20:10: MHStevie - ...but Shimizu got the next three batters to ground out to first.
20:11: MHStevie - In the bottom of the 3rd, Nishoka walked to start the inning.
20:13: MHStevie - But it looks like he was caught stealing before any pitches were thrown to Imae...
20:13: MHStevie - Imae got an infield hit to get on base...
20:14: MHStevie - Fukuura watched Strike 3 go by for the second out...
20:15: MHStevie - And then Saburo struck out on three straight pitches to end the inning.
20:15: MHStevie - Hey, zman!
20:16: MHStevie - Just posting a recap here with the help of Yahoo! Japan...
20:16: MHStevie - Shimizu retired the Tigers in order again in the top of the 4th.
20:17: zzman - hello there
20:17: zzman - thanks for the update
20:17: MHStevie - With two outs in the bottom of the 4th, Benny got a base hit grounder into left field...
20:18: MHStevie - But Lee struck out swinging to end the 4th inning.
20:19: MHStevie - Hiyama led off the top of the 5th inning with a liner up the middle for a base hit!
20:20: MHStevie - After Kataoka struck out, Yano lined a ball into right!
20:21: MHStevie - Hiyama was able to take third on that hit...
20:21: MHStevie - And with one out, Fujimoto was able to get him home on a SAC fly to left!
20:22: MHStevie - Akahoshi grounded out to end the inning, but the Tigers tied it up in the top of the 5th!
20:22: MHStevie - --------
20:22: MHStevie - Marines 1, Tigers 1 -- MID 5th
20:22: MHStevie - --------
20:24: MHStevie - Watanabe for the Marines lined a base hit into left off Igawa to lead off the bottom half...
20:24: MHStevie - Nishioka followed that up with a groundball hit toward second base...
20:25: MHStevie - Two on and no one out for Imae, who hit the solo shot for Lotte in the 1st...
20:26: MHStevie - And he came through again with a line drive double into right field!
20:26: MHStevie - Watanabe was able to score, but Nishioka was held up at third...
20:27: MHStevie - Fukuura grounded to short for the first out.
20:28: MHStevie - With runners now at second and third, Saburo gave the Marines the lead again...
20:28: MHStevie - ...with a line drive double into left field!
20:28: MHStevie - Both runners score!
20:29: MHStevie - Igawa still on the mound, and Satozaki flied out to right for Out #2.
20:29: MHStevie - Franco struck out to end the inning, but the damage was done...
20:29: MHStevie - --------
20:30: MHStevie - Marines 4, Tigers 1 -- END 5th
20:30: MHStevie - --------
20:31: MHStevie - In the top of the 6th, Toritani grounded out to lead things off...
20:31: zzman - this is turning into a rout
20:31: MHStevie - ...but Sheets took a 2-2 cutter from Shimizu back up the middle for a double!
20:32: MHStevie - Kanemoto grounded out to third for the second out.
20:32: MHStevie - And then Imaoka popped out to center to end the threat...
20:33: MHStevie - Benny popped out to short to start the bottom of the 6th...
20:34: MHStevie - And then Lee took a 3-2 slider up and in over the right field wall! HAITTA!!
20:35: MHStevie - Igawa *still* on the mound, and he struck out Watanabe for the second out.
20:35: MHStevie - And Nishioka popped out to end things there...
20:35: MHStevie - --------
20:36: MHStevie - Marines 5, Tigers 1 -- END 6th
20:36: MHStevie - --------
20:37: MHStevie - Shimizu reitred the side in order again in the top of the 7th...
20:37: MHStevie - ...including two K's to Hiyama and Kataoka.
20:38: MHStevie - His stuff must have been working tonight... only five hits issued to the Tigers to this point.
20:39: MHStevie - Igawa didn't come out for the bottom of the 7th, though...
20:40: MHStevie - Hashimoto came in, and gives up a base hit to Imae to lead off...
20:41: MHStevie - Fukuura then took a fastball low and away up the middle for another hit!
20:41: MHStevie - Runners at first and second, no one out...
20:41: MHStevie - Saburo popped out for the first out.
20:42: MHStevie - Looks like Imae tagged up and took third on that pop-out...
20:43: MHStevie - Satozaki then took a 1-1 hanging changeup from Hashimoto and sent in into the left field seats!
20:44: zzman - ouch, that hurts
20:44: MHStevie - The next batter, Franco, grounded a ball up the middle for a base hit...
20:44: MHStevie - Still only one out...
20:45: MHStevie - It gets worse...
20:45: MHStevie - Benny's up next, and Hashimoto gives him a fastball right down the middle to start...
20:45: zzman - say it isnt so stevie
20:45: MHStevie - ...and the fans in left field get *another* souvenir!
20:46: zzman - massacre
20:46: MHStevie - Two-run shot for Benny makes it 10-1 for the Marines...
20:46: MHStevie - And we're actually caught up to live action now...
20:46: MHStevie - YIKES!
20:47: zzman - benny is prime-time material
20:47: MHStevie - Yeah, he and Imae seem to be the hottest hitters tonight for Lotte...
20:48: zzman - I guess the tiger relievers will get another day of rest
20:48: zzman - not that they need more rest . . .
20:49: MHStevie - Imae's 4-for-4, and Benny's 3-for-4 so far tonight...
20:49: zzman - the fans at makuhari must be overjoyed
20:50: MHStevie - I can imagine they must be going nuts...
20:50: MHStevie - I can't remember if Westbay-san mentioned where he was sitting...
20:51: MHStevie - Here's the line on Igawa:
20:53: MHStevie - 6 innings, 10 hits, 5 runs, 9 K's, 1 walk
20:53: steve - You guys couldn't afford to shell out 70000 yen for tickets either?
20:53: MHStevie - He faced 28 batters and threw 106 pitches.
20:53: MHStevie - Greetings, Steve!
20:54: MHStevie - Wish I could say it was a closer game, but this has turned into a blowout...
20:54: steve - Hey guys.....you think it's rust?
20:54: MHStevie - I'd have to shell out more than that... I'd need a plane ticket as well... ^_^;;
20:55: MHStevie - It could be... Sheets and Yano seem to be locked in, but that's about it...
20:55: zzman - hope so stevie, otherwise this will be a quick series
20:55: steve - Train fare alone will kill ya!
20:56: MHStevie - Wow... Yahoo! still hasn't updated since that shot by Benny...
20:57: steve - Why did they go with Igawa first? He's had a pretty mediocre year.....watch the boards tomorrow, Tigers fan will yell
20:57: zzman - i am in japan so can check the score on TV, BRB.
20:57: steve - I'll do it ....they're doing the wave right now
20:58: MHStevie - Was there a pitching change? Is that the delay?
20:58: steve - Rain delay I think everyhting is stopped
20:59: MHStevie - Ah... yeah, I saw the rain icon on there...
20:59: zzman - you wont believe this, its a fog delay
20:59: steve - Benny is pointing at the stands and Nishioka is talking with him
20:59: zzman - first time ever . . .
20:59: steve - It does look they are playing in a burning building
21:00: MHStevie - Wow... yeah, that's the first I've heard of that...
21:00: zzman - exactly . . .
21:00: zzman - I have been out there at makuhari when its impossible to see
21:01: MHStevie - Hashimoto gave up as many runs in 17 pitches as Igawa did in 106... not good...
21:01: zzman - like San Francisco when the giants played at candlestick . . .
21:02: MHStevie - Here's the line on Shimizu so far:
21:02: MHStevie - 7 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 6 K's, 1 walk...
21:03: MHStevie - He's faced 26 batters and thrown 87 pitches.
21:03: steve - Will they call it?
21:03: MHStevie - The big bats have been silent for the Tigers...
21:04: MHStevie - Their only run was on Fujimoto's SAC fly...
21:04: steve - The umps are gathered at home plate
21:04: MHStevie - Kanemoto's 0-for-3 so far...
21:04: MHStevie - Kataoka's 0-for-3 with 3 K's... ouch!
21:05: steve - Games over
21:05: zzman - game has ended
21:05: steve - Called after 7 innings because of fog
21:05: zzman - strange way to end a very sad game for the tigers
21:06: zzman - if score was 3-2 they could not do this but since its 10-1
21:06: MHStevie - Was anyone watching the game earlier? Did that fog just roll in, or were they playing in it most of the game?
21:06: steve - Mercy killing.....they don't have to play another 45 minutes
21:07: steve - get some sleep and come back tomorrow
21:07: MHStevie - That's what I figured... once the score got out of hand, they could feel better calling it...
21:07: steve - Wasn't like that early.....maybe the 5th or 6th it started
21:08: steve - Bobby Valentine is out for the interview
21:08: steve - Great win...to bad it wasn't 9 came out swinging
21:09: steve - we had our parts going first of a 7 game series
21:09: steve - so happy fans could see this looking forward to many tomorrow
21:10: steve - japanese..........fans thanks for coming see you tomorrow
21:10: steve - 2 steves?
21:11: steve - Shimizu and somebody else for the hero interview
21:11: MHStevie - Hai... ^_^
21:11: zzman - what a class act bobby V is . . .
21:11: zzman - so what team is he coaching next year in the bigs
21:11: MHStevie - Could it be Imae?
21:12: steve - Yes I believe it is
21:12: MHStevie - I don't know... he might stay with the Marines...
21:12: MHStevie - I think he wanted to stay in '95, but he was forced out...
21:13: MHStevie - I figured... Imae was 4-for-4 with 2 RBI...
21:13: steve - Big power play in the front office in 95
21:14: MHStevie - It definitely looks like he enjoys it there...
21:14: steve - He's a big celebrity here.....back home he has to deal with the radio fools
21:15: steve - But if the Dodgers offered him the job I think he'd take it
21:15: steve - Him and Lasorda are really close I think
21:15: MHStevie - I think you need a *really* thick skin to be associated with the Mets in any capacity... ^_^
21:16: steve - Be careful.....you might piss off Luplow
21:16: MHStevie - It might depend on what happens in this series too...
21:17: MHStevie - If Tigers end up winning, you think Bobby would stay to try and win one for Lotte?
21:18: steve - I think he really likes this team.......it has his mark
21:18: MHStevie - If Marines win, he might feel more like "a job well done" and be open to an MLB offer?
21:18: steve - I don't think he'd have that much Latitude in the bigs
21:18: MHStevie - But I get that feeling too... he seems very happy with the Marines...
21:19: MHStevie - And now I see many more mentions of NPB on American media with his presence...
21:19: steve - I think he'll honor the contract.......I think he's also trying to rehab his image
21:20: MHStevie - Another Bobby V (Bob Valvano) had a nice segment on his ESPN radio show about NPB...
21:21: MHStevie - And they mentioned the Marines' PL on the ESPN TV show PTI (Pardon the Interruption)...
21:21: steve - That show kills me......it's like a car accident
21:21: MHStevie - Though their discussion drifted to "should we toss U.S. managers into the air like that?"
21:22: steve - kornheiser is a buffoon and Wilbon is about as intimidating as Erkel
21:23: MHStevie - I'm just happy to hear NPB stuff being discussed at all... it's getting tough for the media here to ignore now...
21:23: steve - Even though he tries to talk tough
21:24: steve - Good.......it should get bigger with the world championships
21:24: MHStevie - Valvano made the same mistake I did initially...
21:24: MHStevie - He thought it was cool there was a team named the "Ham Fighters"...
21:25: steve - And the increasing success of Ichiro et al, and the Kapler flameout
21:25: MHStevie - Not thinking it was the "Nippon Ham" Fighters...
21:25: steve - I was guilty of that too!
21:26: steve - Allright gotta go........talk to ya all tomorrow.....good night
21:26: steve - I'll try to be on time!
21:26: MHStevie - With guys like Ichiro, Godzilla and Iguchi doing well it forces the commentators to talk about their NPB history...
21:27: MHStevie - Nice seeing you... I'll try to be here tomorrow, but that's when my radio show is on...
21:28: MHStevie - OK, I think I'm going to head out too... nice talking to you, zman!
21:28: MHStevie - L8r!
21:32: zzman - sorry guys, got distracted