Aargh - Not in Japan for CL Opening Day

Discussion in the Open Talk forum

I feel compelled to write as I don't contribute enough to these pages. Having lived in Japan for 5 years, leaving just 5 short days after seeing my beloved Dragons win it all, I now contemplate a life without NPB.

Well, not strictly true, but I am a little surprised at how excited I am by it despite not being there. I haven't kept up fully with the pre-season games (a few visits to the Dragons website), but it has crept up on me in the last week - PL opening day, Red Sox vs. A's on TV here in England from Tokyo Dome, a brief listen to the podcast from last week's game, and the thought of getting up at 4am on Sunday morning to watch the Eagles vs. Fighters sopcast.

It may have been PL opening day last week, but call me old-fashioned (which of course I'm not), but it's not opening day to me until the Central League, and more importantly the Dragons, get underway. So I will go through the training course I am on tomorrow morning with no way of getting updates, and wondering if I will make an expensive intercontinental call at lunchtime (which clearly cannot go on all season) or wait until I return home to listen to the podcast. Either way I can feel myself tingling slightly.

55 games I attended last year, if I recall correctly, and I went 6-0 in the post-season, some send-off from a country which treated me so well for a great period of my life. There's no doubt I will be back to visit at some point, but alas not this year. It could be suggested that I was some form of 'omamori' to the Dragons, as my time in Japan and Nagoya arguably coincided with the most fruitful time in the team's history. I would beg to differ however, as I sincerely hope and believe that this period has not yet been exhausted and will continue at least a little longer.

In the CL this year that could well be possible. Forgive me my ignorance of pre-season form and feel free to dismiss my views as that of an ill-informed Englishman so far away he could not possibly have a clue, but it seems like it will be a clear two horse race for the CL crown in 2008.

The Giants, how we all hate them and what they stand for. But everyone has to respect that line-up. Ramirez is a fine and very scary addition. The pitching staff did well last year, and with Greisinger and Kroon on board they are only going to get better. It's hard to see them not finishing in the top two. The Dragons are the only team that will be able to prevent them from topping the league.

I can't see Hanshin having a good season unless Okada makes some big decisions early. Arai is a great batter, but I don't think he will improve those around him. The line-up is aging and deteriorating and I feel that the new young stars of the future, particularly Sakurai and Kano, need to be given opportunities early, especially with Lin out for the start (a big miss). The pitching doesn't look capable enough to help them out to me either. The JFK can dominate, but are likely to be overworked again. Besides, at Dragons-Tigers games I used to cheer when the "K" was brought out (as our chances improved), so it's certainly not invincible.

The BayStars had a big opportunity last year, and much as I enjoyed my days out there, loved singing along to the player themes and had a small soft spot for them, I fear they are weaker than last season and will do well to mount a challenge.

I like what Hiroshima are trying to do with their team, they have some good youngsters coming through, and I think they'll be able to score some runs. Losing Arai will not help one bit though. And their pitching was pretty shambolic before Kuroda left.

As for the Swallows, again I loved my days at Jingu, so many nice days out. They may have the best player in the league in Aoki. But if I was Norichika, I'd be hopping over the fence once in a while to get a few lemon sours, could be the only thing that will keep his spirits up.

Overall, there are some weak teams in this league as far as I can see. I think the top two will be quite a long way ahead a la SoftBank and Lotte in 2005. There could be an almighty scramble for the final playoff spot, with all bar Yakult in with a shout I feel.

So, here goes:

Yomiuri Giants
Chunichi Dragons
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Hanshin Tigers
Yokohama BayStars
Tokyo Yakult Swallows

(I know what you're thinking - This guy clearly knows at least a little about Japanese Baseball, but he's put the Carp in 3rd! I'll admit, I am a little surprised about that prediction myself!)

I've put the Giants on top because a) that's what logic suggests to me, b) I don't want to sound like a biased fan (which of course I am), and c) we all had such a good time winning the Climax Series at Tokyo Dome last year!

I haven't mentioned the Dragons yet. I think the team is still strong. A few words for the departed, good luck to Kousuke in Chicago, Shinya in Saitama (Seibu), and to good servants such as Watanabe and Denny. The pitching is still strong, much stronger than most of the CL (only YG get anywhere near competing). The infield is second to none and hopefully the "Arakibata" can provide at the top of the order as we know they can. It will be interesting to see what happens in the outfield. I was never a big fan of Wada, but there is no doubt he can hit the ball. I hope that his presence inspires the younger players, Hirata and Takehiro Donoue in particular, to generate the level of performance necessary to play every day. There are options there, which can never be a bad thing. Naomichi has Kousuke's number 1, can he fill those shoes? I don't know how much of a chance he'll be given. Can we expect Arai, Yanagida, or Nishikawa to help out at third to give Nori some time off? Will Morino succeed at No. 3? Will Ochiai give the ball to Yamai on opening day? (He does owe him that, I think, but he'll give it to Kenshin). Will this be Masa's last year (probably) and more importantly will he get to the milestone (unlikely)?

So many questions. The answers will be forthcoming I'm sure.

A quick PL prediction, though I have kept even less track of happenings here.

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Orix Buffaloes
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
Chiba Lotte Marines
Saitama Seibu Lions

Don't know why I put the Fighters first or why I put the Marines 5th. Pitching I guess, but I have probably underestimated the Marines. In fact, scratch that, put them 4th and the Eagles 5th. The Buffaloes could be the shock team, but that's just a gut feeling.

I fear I have taken up too much of your time. To all those going to a game over the opening weekend - Enjoy! I have said before that I will be on here more often in the future. That shallow statement could be at it's most truthful now, but only time will tell. Regardless, I would like to thank everyone who posts information, rumors, reports, reactions, and opinions, especially Michael, it will no doubt be of invaluable importance to me over the coming months.

Ii zo gambare Doragonsu, MOE YO DORAGONSU!!!

Tony