Kosuke Fukudome is flourshing in his first ‘Crosstown Classisc.’ When both theses teams bid for Kosuke in December the Cubs came out on top, just as they have in the first two games of the series. Kosuke if 4-9 in the two games, adding one rbi and one run scored.

In game one, the Cubs won 4-3. They came back in the 7th innings off back to back home runs in the bottom of the inning by Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee. Kerry Wood also picked up his 17th save of the season. In came two the Cubs feel behind early, down 4-1 heading into the bottom of the 4th inning. That wouldn’t last long though, as the Cubs scored 9 runs in the bottom of the fourth. Back to back home runs once again to center stage, twice, as Edmonds and Theriot hit back to back first, followed by Ramirez and Edmonds last on. The Cubbies would go on to win 11-7, Wood also picked up his 18th save. Read the rest of this entry »

Kosuke Fukudome is about to make is first appearance in the Crosstown Classic between the Cubs and White Sox. The Cubs are heading into the series at home after being swept by the Rays and dropping 4 out of 6 on an inter league road trip. Kosuke went 1-4 on Thursday in his second game leading off driving in one run.

Kosuke Fukudome has moved a top the batting order with Alfonso Soriano out for at least six weeks. Fukudome went 1-4 with an RBI double and a drew a walk. The Cubs lost their second straight to the Rays 5-4.

The upcoming series agianst the Los Angeles Dodgers is shaping up to potentially be a good one for Kosuke Fukudome. Fukudome has played much better at home this season, and will be facing a fellow native in Hiroki Kuroda, whom he has past success against.

There is not question that the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field have been friendly to Fukudome. At home Kosuke is batting .393 at home, compared to just .207 away. Wrigley Field is also were Fukudome has is only two home runs.

The Cubs will also be facing Hiroki Kuroda the second game of the series. Kuroda is another Japanese star. Fukudome has faced Kurado in the past, as Kurado played for the Hiroshima Carp in the Japan baseball league. Fukudome is a career .330 batter against the righty, with four home runs. This is sure to be an interesting match-up for many reasons, and should definitely get a lot of attention from the Japanese media.

As far as Fukudome’s woes go on the road, it is more of a team trend. The Cubs record at home is 19-8 versus a 10-13 road record.

With the first month of the Major League Baseball season on the verge of being over, the Chicago Cubs sit atop the standings in the National League Central Division at 16 and 10. The Cubs have put up runs in bunches through out the month. And a key contributor to the run production has been the rookie from Japan, Kosuke Fukudome.

In the first week of the season, Kosuke Fukudome won over the fans of Chicago. After struggling through a tough first spring training, Fukudome charged out of the gates. In his Major League debut, Kosuke Fukudome reached base over and over, as other Cubs struggled to get a hit. And in the bottom of the ninth, Kosuke Fukudome delivered his first Major League home run, one that will not be forgot. With the Cubs trailing by 3, Fukudome tied the game with his blast, and received his first curtain call from the Cubbie faithful.

Kosuke Fukudome did not stop there. During the two weeks Kosuke was continually in contention for the Major League lead in batting average. Fukudome reached base over and over again, being very patient, and taking what pitchers would give him.

Over the next couple series, pitchers would begin to figure out the Japanese import, as Kosuke Fukudome went on a little drought and struggled to get on base. But it wasn’t long before Cubs fans saw Fukudome doing what they knew he would do best, hit and reach base safely.

During the first month Kosuke Fukudome appeared to be worth every cent of the $48 million the Chicago Cubs signed him to. Fukudome is batting .319, with an on base percentage of .434. As Kosuke Fukudome continues to perform well, and the Chicago Cubs continue to win, this is going to be a summer to remember for Cubs nation.

Kosuke Fukudome broke out of a little slump earlier tonight. Fukudome had his first two runs batted in in the last seven games and his first double in nine games. Now, Kosuke Fukudome was not in any major slump and not getting any hits, Fukudome was just not what he was the first week and a half of the season

Tonight, Kosuke Fukudome gathered two hits in three at bats, drove in two runs, scored twice, and walked twice. Kosuke was not the only Chicago Cub who had a great day, as the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-3.

Kosuke Fukudome had stuggled over the weekend against the Phillies, gathering only one hit. Fukudome moved up to the number two hole on Friday, where he went hitless, and was given the day off Saturday. On Saturday Fukudome did pinch hit though, but was walked. On Sunday he moved back to his number five spot, but went one for four.

Kosuke Fukudome is having a great first month of his major league career no questions asked though. Kosuke is batting .353, and continues to get on base and perform in the clutch. There is not much more a team with a 100 year drought could as for.

We are three series into the Major League Baseball season, and Kosuke Fukudome’s rookie season. We’ve seen a lot from the Japanese import:

• A game tying home run
• Game winning double
• A poor fielding play and base running mistake
• And a lot of hits and walks

So far everything has looked pretty good. And you’ve read what we think, but we want to know what you think. Let us know what you think about Kosuke Fukudome’s play, spot in the batting order, whatever is on your mind!

Kosuke Fukudome and the Chicago Cubs played another exhausting fifteen inning game. The Cubs scraped out a 6-4 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in their second extra inning game of the series.

Kosuke Fukudome did not has his most effective day, going getting 2 for 7. This was a very long game though for everyone, and the back to back extra inning games may have had an effect on Fukudome and the rest of the Cubs. Fukudome was also caught stealing once in the game, the first time that has happened this year.

Kosuke Fukudome did bat 5th, despite rumors he may be moved up in the order against lefties. There are still a few rumors that Kosuke may move up at some point against lefties, and possibly right handed pitchers, in partial to his high on base percentage and knack for getting on base. Fukudome did not walk at all yesterday, but has continued his streak of getting on base, which he has done in all 8 games.

On a long day for the Chicago Cubs, Kosuke Fukudome is back on track after a tough 0-3 day Sunday.

Kosuke Fukudome went 3-5 and drove in one run. The Cubs pounded the Pittsburgh Pirates early, getting an early 7-0 lead. Only to see it dissapear as the Pirates came back and tied it. The game went into 12 innings before the Cubs won 10-8.

As for Fukudome, he added a two more walks and a stolen base to his numbers for the season. Entering the day, Kosuke Fukduome was tied for 6th in the NL for batting average, but after tonights games, Kosuke should be move up.

Kosuke Fukudome also continues to get one base, higher his on base percentage about .550, which has caused for rumors that Lou Piniella may move Fukudome up to the number two spot Wednesday night against lefty Zach Duke. The Cubs also faced a lefty today though and he still batted 5th and performed well. Kosuke Fukudome was second amond all NL batters for on base percentage, trailing Albert Pujols who had a .560 OBP compared to Fukudome’s .542.

After one week of Major League Baseball, Kosuke Fukudome has shown he is worth every penny of the $48 million, four year contract he signed with the Chicago Cubs in early December.

Kosuke Fukudome has delivered an opening day game tying home run in the bottom of the ninth, and a game winning double two days later, also the Cubs first win of the season. Kosuke has gotten on base in every game thus far, and is the most patient hitter for the Cubs in years. Fukudome is batting over .400 and has an on base percentage over .500.

kosuke Fukudome is recieveing love from Cubs fans everywhere. Fans have chanted the name ‘Fukudome’ in unison on several occasions during the first week, and seen their new right fielder deliever as well. Fans have also showed their love threw bows and signs, although some signs have been lost in translation.

So although we may only be through one week, and the Cubs are only 3-3, things are looking bright on the North Side. Kosuke Fukudome may be the Cubs savior. Welcome to Fukudome Mania!