Phil Valesquez

Kosuke Fukudome started out his first MLB season with a roar. On opening day the Japanese import went 3-3, with a game tying home run in the bottom of the 9th inning. In game two the Milwaukee Brewers got to him a little, and he went 0-3 despite one walk. And in game three Fukudome showed his patience. Kosuke went 1-2 with a double, steal and two walks, while scoring twice. Fukudome finished the series 4-8 with four base on balls and three extra base hits. The walks are what Lou Piniella likes, as Fukudome has been the most patient Cubs batter in awhile:

“He’s very patient,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “He works the count very well. He’s just a professional hitter. He probably takes more pitches than anybody else on the team. He’s in a three-ball count a heck of a lot.”

Kosuke Fukudome has also won over the Chicago Cubs fans, and ended the complaints and questions of spring training.

Kosuke has left the name of a former Cubs right fielder in the past (Sammy Sosa), and given the bleacher bums of right field someone else to bow to. Although the translation of signs from English to Japanese have been “lost in translation.” Cubs.com reported that fans held up signs which read “Its going to happen” in Japanese, but there is no real translation for the phrase in Japanese and Kosuke’s translator said the signs said “Its an accident” instead. Kosuke Fukudome’s translator suggested signs say, “kotoshi koso,” which means: “They will win this year.” This was also noticed by the many Japanese reporters at Wrigley Field, something not seen their before.

Fans have also waved Japanese flags, and on Thursday, eight young men sat shirtless in the 43 degree weather with “Fukudome” painted on their chests.

The chants of “Fukudome” have already been heard in several at bats, and a curtain call has already taken place for Kosuke. This looks to be a fun summer for Kosuke Fukudome and the Chicago Cubs and their fans.

Kosuke Fukudome is definitely seeing the ball well to start of the season. Through the first two games Fukudome gathered 2 walks, and he added 2 more today. Kosuke Fukudome gotten on base in all but four of his 12 plate appearances.

Today Kosuke Fukudome was 1-2 with a double as well as those two walks. Kosuke also stole second base after being walked once and later scored in the inning.

Fukudome definitely looks to be seeing the ball well, putting behind all questions of a poor spring training. And as for those right field fans, well they have completely fallen in love with their new right fielder. Welcome to the summer of Fukudome Mania!

The Chicago Cubs also won their first game of the season, a 6-3 victory over the Brewers to keep for getting swept. Kerry Wood also recieved his first save of the season, Ryan Dempster his win as a starter in a few years, and Aramis Rameriz hit his first home run.

Kosuke Fukudome was not quite the hero he was in game one, but as team the Chicago Cubs struggled. Fukudome was hitless on the day in three at bats, striking out twice. Kosuke also walked once and left one runner on base.

After two games now, Kosuke Fukudome is 3-6, with two walks.

The Cubs lost 8-2 to the Brewers and are now 0-2.

As Kosuke Fukudome stepped up to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning in his Major League debut, the Chicago Cubs were down 3-0 to division rival Milwaukee Brewers.

The stage was set for Kosuke to make his name. Derrek Lee and Aramis Rameriz where on second and first base. Eric Gagne was pitching to save the game and give the Brewers their first victory of the year. Kosuke Fukudome had already gathered a single and double as well as a walk in the game. He had done more than many expected after a tough spring training. As Fukudome walked up to the plate with 2 on in the bottom of the ninth, Cubs fans began to chant: “FUKUDOME!”

Kosuke Fukudome took the first pitch for ball one. The count was now 1-0, with any chance of a Cubs comeback on the line. The next pitch Fukudome fouled off for strike one, 1-1. The next pitch ended in a way that couldnt be written any better. Kosuke Fukudome got a pitch waist high, over the heart of the plate. Gone! Kosuke Fukudome hit his first career home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in his first Major League game. Kosuke Fukudome became a hero overnight, and as the ESPN commentator said:

“A star is born!”

The right field fans, who once praised and bowwed at Sammy Sosa’s knees, had found a new love. Fans filled the right field bleachers with signs, hats, and more in Japanese and English, praising their love for the Cubs new right fielder, Kosuke Fukudome.

Although in the end the Cubs could not pull out the W, dropping the game 4-3 in 10 innings, Kosuke Fukudome became a Cubs hero overnight, and promise for the future.