Fukudome makes grand entrance
MESA, Ariz. _ The Japanese media began staking out the Fitch Park front door before it was fully light outside this morning.
Shortly after 8 a.m., their man arrived.
Kosuke Fukudome passed through the media ranks and headed for the Cubs clubhouse, where teammate Carlos Zambrano had a surprise for him. Zambrano, the ace of the pitching staff, was wearing Fukudome's No. 1 jersey and had a No. 11 jersey hanging in Fukudome's locker.
Zambrano then took off the jersey and handed it to Fukudome as a way of welcoming the Cubs' new right fielder.
Not since the days of Sammy Sosa's annual late arrivals to spring training has there been this much excitement around these parts. Fukudome, whom the Cubs signed to a four-year contract in December, reported early and proclaimed himself ready for work on this rainy day.
Fukudome didn't seem to share the media's excitement.
"Not quite yet," he said through interpreter Ryuji Araki.
Fukudome took all manner of questions, from American and Japanese reporters.
On whether he could help the Cubs and bring good luck: "I'm not quite sure yet if I can help this team in any way but I wish I can bring the good luck to the Chicago Cubs from Japan."
On Zambrano's prank: "I was surprised there was one extra 1 (on the jersey)."
On where he is most comfortable batting: "I have been batting third in Japan for a long time. That's where I have my rhythm, and I would feel comfortable there. But the manager makes the lineup, and wherever Lou (Piniella) puts me in the lineup, I will do the job I'm supposed to do. I will try to do the job I'm supposed to do."
(Derrek Lee is the Cubs' No. 3 hitter, and Piniella has said Fukudome could hit second or fifth.)
On what he wants to be called: "There has been some article about the difficult pronunciation of my last name, 'Fukudome.' So I'm comfortable with any nickname anybody comes up with or 'Kosuke,' or whatever floats the boat will be fine for me."
On whether there are superstitions and jinxes (something equivalent to a Cubs "curse") in Japan: "I don't know of anything like that in Japan, and even if there is, I don't believe in them."