Team Comparisons?

I don't think it is fair to compare NPB and MLB this way (by team). The NPB has a very rich in history, rivalries, and tradition as well as the MLB. However they (NPB) are in a league of their own. Every crowd in every ballpark are into the game from start to end, they create chants and "fight" songs for every player. And what made me fall in love with NPB is the fact that all players are fundamentally sound and execute (or try) to perfection. You don't see any "Manny-isms" when someone hits a HR, or any antics that take away from the game. They stay in better shape or have higher demands to maintain a great physical fitness level; that's why on average they have longer careers. They are the most professional ballplayers and have such respect for the game; it was no fluke they won the WBC either.

I hear reporters complain our MLB players were in spring training mode for the WBC. Well news flash, so were the Japanese players as the NPB season runs about the same as the MLB.

I'll take it one step further; there are a lot of fans (like me) that love the high-quality product that NPB brings year-in and year-out. I think that the NPB owners don't realize what they have in their hands. If they would get together and market their leagues outside of Japan their revenues would rocket sky high, then they would not have to worry about posting players as teams would be able to afford to keep players and import more high profile names from MLB (reversal of fortune). And in time, NPB would be seen as equal to MLB in the global market. Talent wise I think they are there right now.

I love this sport and am very passionate about it. I watch several leagues around the world year round, and if NPB had a package put together for "outsiders" to access and follow both or either league, I'm there. I would be a loyal yearly customer and I know there is a large community that feels the same way. I already get up at "o'dark thirty" several times a week to try and catch some games online on a low quality stream. NPB should at least market a high-quality stream outside of Japan (like MLB.TV) just to experiment how it goes and then move from there. I would love to catch them on a regular basis; I guess I'll have to buy me a satellite antenna that has access to all the Japanese TV stations.

- From what I hear, but don't really agree, Hanshin = Red Sox.

The reason you hear that is that Hanshin has been compared to the pre 2004 Red Sox in how the Tigers have played second fiddle to the Yomiuri Giants, like how Boston was to the Yankees for a long time. Also there's the Curse Of The Colonel, too, if you believe in that hocus-pocus.

- You don't see any "Manny-isms" when someone hits a HR, or any antics that take away from the game.

I've got so sick and tired of hearing people whine about Manny Ramirez. As long as Manny produces I could care less what his antics are. Just because things aren't the way you want them molded to be doesn't mean it takes away from the game.

- They stay in better shape or have higher demands to maintain a great physical fitness level; that's why on average they have longer careers.

I'm not denying that NPB players stay in good shape, as that much is obvious, but what I object to is that somehow MLB players don't stay in good shape or have high demands placed on them as a result either?

Greg Maddux, Jamie Moyer, Tom Glavine, Randy Johnson, John Smoltz, and Mike Timlin I guess don't count somehow as being in good shape and being allowed to enjoy a long career?

- [...] it was no fluke they won the WBC either.

No one ever said it was a fluke. The Japanese team won since they were the best team at the time and won when it counted.

- I think that the NPB owners don't realize what they have in their hands.

It's the fact that the majority of parent companies don't realize how to run a team effectively. This has been one of my major complaints with NPB, is that the teams, for the most part (besides Yomiuri and Hanshin), haven't any clue whatsoever on how to run a team.

- If they would get together and market their leagues outside of Japan their revenues would rocket sky high, then they would not have to worry about posting players as teams would be able to afford to keep players and import more high profile names from MLB (reversal of fortune).

First, NPB needs to fix there own mess inside Japan, which is seeing more and more youngsters departing to J-League soccer. The NPB needs to make baseball attractive to the new generation of youngsters who are going over to soccer or to the next hip thing, which at the moment NPB isn't.

Second, the NPB needs to enter the 21st century by getting all of their games on the Internet, something like MLB.tv, but without the problems that plague MLB.tv. Get all of the games from all of the teams in both leagues on the Internet so that the masses can see them and that the games don't get cut off for the nightly news.

Third, NPB isn't going to market the game outside of Japan, unless they think they can make it profitable to do so. Yes, it would be nice to have an Internet market for foreign fans, but right now this is still a niche market that isn't exactly proven to be profitable from the NPB standpoint.

Also, revenues will not skyrocket as long as the companies that run the team have little idea of the business aspect of running the team, and as long as the JPBPA remains a joke and keep the ancient reserve clause which locks player in way too long and gives the player too little choice in what they can do.

Finally, as I've mentioned it in another topic, it's not so much players departing to MLB that is killing NPB.

I thought Yu Darvish said it perfectly when Matsuzaka left for the majors:

I think we have to be creative. If all the players and people in the front offices have a positive attitude, I don't think the game here will lose its popularity.

If NPB teams can be creative by reforming the farm system to include more farm teams and add more games to the minor league system to better develop players and allow teams to sign more players, and further guarantee that you can give them sufficient playing time to be able to develop into the stars of tomorrow to replace the players who depart to MLB. Though, as I've been complaining for a long time, NPB hasn't done anything creative since implementing inter-league play, and it took forever for that to occur.

In conclusion, don't take my post the wrong way, I'm very passionate about NPB and respect it very much and try to keep up to date on a regular basis (though I haven't been able to keep as much up to date on NPB this year as I would like to), but I disagree with your tone on MLB and the lack of understanding of the business side of NPB teams.

You don't see any "Manny-isms" when someone hits a HR, or any antics that take away from the game. Although this may happen less in Japan, I see players here all the time give the "guts pose" to their own dugout as they round the bases. We assume that Major Leaguers are more likely to be expressive like this and "show up" their opponent, but I think it happens here as well.

I also think the commentators here could be a little more neutral. Obviously commentators are going to be biased and support their own team, but it's really annoying in Japan. I was trying to watch the Tigers vs. Giants game recently and had to mute the TV as guest commentator Motoki (average player, worse commentator) openly cheered and shouted for his former teammates.

Manny-isms? How about Shinjo? He's about all the NPB needed. Haha.

Good point about Shinjo. Manny may be Manny, but he has backed up his odd behavior with a Hall of Fame career. Shinjo, on the other hand, was a mediocre player who loved being the center of attention. I don't miss him!

OK JBroks86, I think I touched a nerve and got you a bit excited. First of all, I love the MLB and my complaint about "Manny-isms" was not directed to Manny Ramirez. I just used the term loosely to make a point. In fact, if the game was on the line I can't think of another player I would want to have at the plate. My point was that a great number of MLB players like showboating over playing hard, and put how they "look" and personal stats over winning a game, and that take's away from the game. Like in the NBA, a player dunks and acts like they've never done it before and leaves their teammates short handed on defense. Totally unnecessary, unprofessional and disrespectful to the game. Maybe I am old school or maybe I praise players that make great plays and go about their business without having to "show-up" the opposing teams and/or players. I'm not saying don't get excited about it; but "excited" and "showing-up" are two very different reactions to any particular play.

Second, I do understand the business aspect of NPB, hence my comment about ownership getting together and pushing their product into the global market. Only then (if successful) they would be able to expand and invest in developing (without suffering large financial back-draws) while creating more opportunities for local talent, and creating better/more competitive salaries; thus, attracting talent that decide for different sports because they have greater opportunities for being successful. I'm not saying it's easy, but it will solidify the "foundation" of the league and allow it to take on larger challenges to promote NPB globally. The sky is the limit.

All I'm trying to say is that there is a large market for NPB outside of Japan and league owners are not taking advantage of it. And they are losing the young audience to other sports, so they need to get their heads out of their rear-ends and do something about it. Otherwise they will have to share the spotlight (eventually) with other sports; and why share a market when you can dominate it? They need to start somewhere, why not reaching for that audience outside of Japan?

Shinjo is not like the player you are thinking. Additionally, he is not mediocre. A very good outfielder.

I can't wait to see what Deanna thinks about this topic.

Why?

In my opinion, you are one of the best bloggers of baseball. Whether it be MLB or NPB. I always read your blog because it's informative, exciting, and entertaining. You really know what is going on when it comes to baseball.

I find this topic interesting because I am also a newbie to Japanese baseball. I think Japanese players are so disciplined and they show great respect for the game. They deserve bigger a audience.

Because you are the Queen of Baseball.

Sorry, I don't feel like being trolled today, no matter how many times you post. Try again later.

Oh come on Deanna, please give us your takes.

Please, Deanna! Tell us what you think. Guest number 2 is right. You are the queen of baseball. It was not me who posted that. I think there are a lot more people who wants to know what you think about this topic.

Until last year's title, I've been saying that the Dragons are equivalent to the Cleveland Indians; very good in all aspects but a long title drought. Of course, the Dragons changed all that.

An obvious one is Carp = Cincinnati Reds; not just because they have the same cap logo and similar uniforms, but both teams also had their glory days in the '70s.

And to deviate from comparing just to baseball teams, Fighters (at least now that they're in Hokkaido) = Green Bay Packers. Both in areas that get cold in the winter, both in a region of their countries famous for beer.