Fukudome Signs with Cubs for 4 years (MLB.com: $48 M)

[jersey cubs fan]

I know it's grainy YouTube video, and I'm not that great at this kind of stuff, but does his swing look a little long?

 

I felt the same way. I'm no scout, and I can't look at a guy and dissect the swing properly. But it appears long to me. Although he also seems to be able to keep his hands back.

[C.C.]

The Sox had him penciled in as a left fielder, and have already had two Japanese players on their roster in Shingo Takatsu and Tadahito Iguchi. Another factor was that Fukudome is friends with pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa, who gave him an endorsement as far as Cubs manager Lou Piniella.

 

http://blogs.suntimes.com/whitesox/2007/12/strike_three.html

 

Did the fact that the white sox are going to suck it up behind Detroit and Cleveland for the next 5 years play a factor?

 

 

Perhaps. Or maybe it's the allure of the Cubs. Didn't he play for a team that didn't win a championship for 50 years or so?

[PrimeTime]

Remember hearing all offseason,

"Getting Kaz Matsui will help the Cubs get Fukudome"

"There are no Japanese players on the Cubs, this will hurt their chances on Fukudome"

 

Wow was that wrong, wonder if did did land Kaz??

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Maybe Fukudome didn't want to play in front of a bunch of white trash bums?

[C.C.]

Maybe Fukudome didn't want to play in front of a bunch of white trash bums?

 

 

Eh. Those jokes are getting old.

[minnesotacubsfan]

His other jerseys said Fukudome. Is he really going to go with Kosuke?

 

I've never owned a Cubs jersey. I have a Ramirez T and a couple sweatshirts, but if it's Fukudome, I will have to get one.

 

And yes, that is because of the immature word play.

 

 

FUKUDOME is the MANS NAME people

 

but yea, that would be a very high selling jersey

 

:)

[CuseCubFan69]

I know it's grainy YouTube video, and I'm not that great at this kind of stuff, but does his swing look a little long?

 

I felt the same way. I'm no scout, and I can't look at a guy and dissect the swing properly. But it appears long to me. Although he also seems to be able to keep his hands back.

 

It's a little sweepy for me but it depends on his hand speed if he can get away with it. I'm very curious on how he'll handle off speed stuff...especially away.

[C.C.]

His other jerseys said Fukudome. Is he really going to go with Kosuke?

 

I've never owned a Cubs jersey. I have a Ramirez T and a couple sweatshirts, but if it's Fukudome, I will have to get one.

 

And yes, that is because of the immature word play.

 

 

FUKUDOME is the MANS NAME people

 

but yea, that would be a very high selling jersey

 

:)

 

 

I'm just waiting what the street vendors selling t-shirts dream up.

[inari]

Can anyone post the video where he throws the guy out at first? Please?

[ottawacubbie]

Old Style Cub fans (pun intended) are much worse about heckling players, that's one reason why they got the name "bleacher bums". If anything, new style Cub fans are criticized for being uninvolved.

 

That is true, but it seems they have grown a little more impatient since 2003. I guess it is the Old Style fans with the "New Stlye", "Gen-Y" I want it now, and don't care about the ramifications of my actions type attitude that concerns me. I just don't think booing is ever productive. I would rather you phone into radio shows or boycott tickets (although the latter doesn't work in Chicago).

[shnsajax]

You can always custom order it regardless of what he does.

[jyoung55]

I know it's grainy YouTube video, and I'm not that great at this kind of stuff, but does his swing look a little long?

 

I felt the same way. I'm no scout, and I can't look at a guy and dissect the swing properly. But it appears long to me. Although he also seems to be able to keep his hands back.

 

It's a little sweepy for me but it depends on his hand speed if he can get away with it. I'm very curious on how he'll handle off speed stuff...especially away.

 

Better than Jacque :P ... and for the price hopefully a lot better.

[SouthSideRyan]

I really hope that if he struggles next year that the "New-style" Cubs Fans don't boo him too much. It would just be a shame. I can see if he is mailing it in and not trying, but if he is working hard and being diciplined and is just struggling to adjust right away I hope they don't take it out on him. It is embarassing to have fans boo their own team when it is unwarrented.

 

Old Style Cub fans (pun intended) are much worse about heckling players, that's one reason why they got the name "bleacher bums". If anything, new style Cub fans are criticized for being uninvolved.

 

Old Style fans are the absolute worst.

[CuseCubFan69]

I know it's grainy YouTube video, and I'm not that great at this kind of stuff, but does his swing look a little long?

 

I felt the same way. I'm no scout, and I can't look at a guy and dissect the swing properly. But it appears long to me. Although he also seems to be able to keep his hands back.

 

It's a little sweepy for me but it depends on his hand speed if he can get away with it. I'm very curious on how he'll handle off speed stuff...especially away.

 

Better than Jacque :P ... and for the price hopefully a lot better.

 

For twice as much, he better! He seems like a solid all around ball player too which I like.

[sethuel1]

Maybe Fukudome didn't want to play in front of a bunch of white trash bums?

 

 

Eh. Those jokes are getting old.

not a joke

[David]

This clip showcases his swing really well. It reminds me of someone's but I am not sure who?

 

 

Also at 1:53 I love him gunning out runners at 1st from RF.

 

 

This reminded me of a clip of Johnny Red Kerr that Boers and Bernstein play now and then. He goes "You know who he reminds me of?"... Larivee or Dore ask, "Who?" Red's response, "I forgot."

 

I LOLed.

[C.C.]

Maybe Fukudome didn't want to play in front of a bunch of white trash bums?

 

 

Eh. Those jokes are getting old.

not a joke

 

 

Okay. Now it's funny again!

[Roast]

This clip showcases his swing really well. It reminds me of someone's but I am not sure who?

 

 

Also at 1:53 I love him gunning out runners at 1st from RF.

 

His swing is a tiny bit long but not drastically so. Of course, I'm not a scout and so I'm really just talking based on semi-educated guesses.

[MPrior]

This clip showcases his swing really well. It reminds me of someone's but I am not sure who?

 

 

Also at 1:53 I love him gunning out runners at 1st from RF.

 

I enjoyed the highlights, but the song playing throughout that video is just horrendous.

 

Anyway, YAY! Opening day should be fun (hopefully along with the rest of the season).

[The Voice of Reason]

The view from the defeated. Very positive on Fuk.

 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20071212-9999-1s12padres.html

 

General Manager Kevin Towers said recently the Padres had targeted Fukudome for a long time. The club was further emboldened when big spenders such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and Mariners sat out the Fukudome bidding because they already had front-line outfielders in place.

 

The 31-year-old's .397 career on-base percentage excited the Padres, as did recommendations from scout Randy Smith, who signed Japanese pitcher Akinori Otsuka to a hugely successful contract four offseasons ago

 

“I've seen Fukudome over the years,” Smith said last night. “And this year, I specifically sat on him

 

I ain't buying Levine saying the Cubs didn't have the highest bid. Only if I hear it from a more reliable source like Bruce Miles.

 

The Padres offered at least $10 million per year for at least three years; the Cubs outbid them to an extent that a Padres official said it came down to “Show me the money.”

 

The Padres projected Fukudome to bat in the top third of their lineup, likely in the No. 2 spot. Many scouts deem him an adequate center fielder, at best, and an excellent right fielder.

 

A career .305 hitter, Fukudome batted .351 with 31 home runs and 104 RBI in 2006, but the Chunichi star was limited to 81 games last season by elbow surgery.

 

“The biggest thing is he has a history of success,” Smith said. “He's a strong enough guy that I think he will handle the adjustments well. He does everything above average.”

 

Fukudome's popularity in Japan also appealed to the Padres, who want to boost their profile in the Far East. Alderson and Padres chairman John Moores visited Japan and China last offseason and were instrumental in the Padres' assignment to Beijing for two exhibition games in March.

[Banedon]

I ain't buying Levine saying the Cubs didn't have the highest bid. Only if I hear it from a more reliable source like Bruce Miles.

 

George Offman said in his update that the Cubs and Sox had very similar offers. If Offman is any better for ya.... :P

[Brian]

I've got to admit, I love the bat flip.

[minnesotacubsfan]

soo..has anyone had any success orderng a jersey or t-shirt yet??

[chuckywang]

This clip showcases his swing really well. It reminds me of someone's but I am not sure who?

 

 

Also at 1:53 I love him gunning out runners at 1st from RF.

 

His swing is a tiny bit long but not drastically so. Of course, I'm not a scout and so I'm really just talking based on semi-educated guesses.

 

A long swing? Too much followthrough?

[minnesotacubsfan]

cheaters:

 

http://www.wrigleyvillesport.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=53861!Maj&csurl=%2Fistar%2Easp%3Fa%3D3%26dept%3DCubs%26class%3DT%26sortby%3D%26numperpage%3D18%26pos%3D36%26