Silence Broken in Kuwana
By Tricia Takanawa September 30, 2019
As it comes towards the end of the year we have noticed a massive amount of trades, great pitching, great batting, and over all great games. What we have noticed that the Kuwana Steel Dragons of the League of the Rising Sun have been dead silent. We not know why but this is very unlike Owner Michael Chance and very much unlike GM Mark Kierstead. He has been as vocal as a crying kitten over the past years. So why give us the silent treatment? Well today we have our answer.
It seems that Michael Chance held an emergency meeting this past off-season. He sat down with select players, and managers as well as team officials. One person confirmed that RF Taro Kudo was in attendance as well as GM Kierstead. It had been decided that the team, or well Mr. Chance was tired of being in the middle of the pack. He wanted a complete over haul of the system. It was an all out reconstruction that was needed for the team, the fans and the organization. I was told that as a fan it was not fair for the team to boost popularity while quietly dealing away top players. It was a kick to the face for people who forked over big m
oney for season tickets only to see those players are no longer with the team.
So what Kuwana did was clear the roster for the future. Taro Kudo helped scout out the 2020 draft class after trades netted them another 4 top 1st round picks. This would be unprecedented for the LRS, as one team would have five 1st round players to pick. This was a dramatic change for a team that wanted to be built on Fan Interest and Loyalty. They kind have just cut themselves deep in the pocket, as cash on hand will alone save them from financial disaster this year.
I did get a chance to sit down and as Owner Michael Chance a few questions about the future of the franchise.
Takanawa: So why break the silence now? Why not do these things sooner rather than at the tail end of the season?
Chance: Well I wanted to for a while, but I had to wait for the right time. You see things here in Kuwana are not great. Kudo’s Corner has not filled a single seat in almost a month and fans just don’t care. Well I waited for Kierstead to get back from vacation. He said he was talking a 3-hour tour but managed to come back 6 months later. We have been in phone contact of course but he had things he had to figure out and get fixed in his life
Takanawa: So 5 picks in the top of the 1st round? You must be pretty happy about that huh? Can I ask what your plans are for those picks?
Chance: Ha! You know who the fist pick is going to be. That is a no brainer; hell Kierstead could not screw that one up. I think I will be drafting the 2020 draft just so he does not mess it up. Kidding all aside, Kierstead is a smart guy; a little loony when it comes to trades but hey the guys has passion. Passion is what a team wants and needs.
Takanawa: How can we see fan resurgence this off-season then? It will take a lot to get back those fans that feel ripped off or swindled.
Chance: Swindled is a bit harsh, misinterpretation might be a better word. Fans know teams have to do what they can to make money and win. That’s what it comes down too. We dumped $22.9 million into SP Darryl ‘Quagmire’ Lewis only to see him get not just hurt but brutally injured for a year. A whole year, can you believe that? As of right now $25 million is stuck on the DL. No less than 4 starting player hurt at one time. That does not include our minors. This year has been a travesty. It sucks and it hurts deep down when you see a great team doing well and it fall apart in front of your eyes. We don’t think we are the best team in the LRS; we have not earned the right to be considered one of the best. The SSG has the Shin Seiki Evas who have dominated for years now and they deserve that distinction. Here in the BBG Naha Shisa and Lupin Cliff Hangers are considered the best. Kuwana, well we are bottom feeders at the moment.
Takanawa: Once a bottom feeder always a bottom feeder maybe? Not pointing fingers but Kierstead helped Seoul Crushers kind of rebuild and skipped town due to overwhelming debt to the Mafia. Do you think he is ready for an enormous task like this yet again?
Chance: Well evolution will help with that. We plan to evolve into a Kuwana team never before seen as we try for more seats, better players, and a better look. That starts in 2020. I think of is as a new vision, one that is much clearer. Kierstead had his issues and he was very much like a stray dog, you have to give them time. Once he stopped pissing in everyone’s coffee and chilled out he was liked much better. As for financials and trades every move he made went through me even when he was on vacation.
I next got a chance to sit down with GM Mark Kierstead and go over what he has been doing on his time away.
Takanawa: You seem to have fallen off the radar for a while, was there a reason for it?
Kierstead: I went for a small tour and got lost, wound up on an island until help arrived. Luckily for me I had cell reception and my laptop to deal with team transactions. It was nothing really. Just a small vacation; Well needed I might add.
Takanawa: Mr. Chance told us you pissed in everyone’s coffee when you arrived. Over the last few years you seemed to have a way with people. Has that improved at all?
Kierstead: I am a “like me or hate me” kind of guy. Most people hate me because I am blunt and to the point. If I need to get a player I get him simply put. I like the way the league reacts to many of the moves I make. Some have a WTF moment and other just never say anything. That is good because the league is like a band of brothers even when new GMs come in. You try to set the right tempo and attitude with everyone. You piss off a GM or owner and he may never return your calls about a player or pick. The LRS is known for it’s unique way teams do transactions. In the normal world you would not just buy a stock because you had one look at it. You would let the stock mature and show it is worth what it is. In the LRS it s quite different as you can see a player and know he is a must have. Draft picks are very much like this. One may be worth millions in players and cash while you drop down one spot and it is worth very little. This is why we try to be civilized and make a trade happen in an instant or give it time. Many times this is to avoid the go to the highest bidder aspect. That I learned here at Kuwana.
Takanawa: So an old dog can learn new tricks? How much damage do you think was done this year by flipping on the fans and changing minds mid season?
Kierstead: Any dog can learn new tricks, just depends on if they are willing and able. I think the damage was bad enough I had to come back from vacation sooner than later. We went from being +33% in fan attendance and selling out all games to now fans coming and actually some who would rather drive back home then sit through a loss. It will take some damage control and I am working on it as we speak.
When I was done with Kierstead I wanted to get a chance to talk to Taro Kudo who has been a centerpiece here at Kuwana since the beginning.
Takanawa: Taro, what are your thoughts on the direction of the team? What does this mean for you?
Kudo: Well to be honest I was not happy with the front office. They brought in huge names and then dealt them for picks. I am never happy selling a bright future away for talent that one day will take my place. In the end you have to do what is right for the team and that is what ever the owner wants. When Mr. Chance talked to me about it I was honest and he liked that. For me though I will be here until the day I retire and then I will manage the team. That is what I am in talks about right now with GM Kierstead and Mr. Chance. Kierstead took me and gave me a heck of a deal and knowing that one guy will always have your back through the good times and bad if great.
Takanawa: Being honest must have been hard especially knowing big names were being traded and you have a no trade clause. Not that you would be going anywhere as they put a Jumbotron of your face in center field.
Kudo: Yes they have treated me well and to have a part of the stadium named after you is huge. It may not have brought in the revenue they wanted but for a player it is as big as when Hobo had his shoe deal. Now look at him is one of the best Pitchers in the league. I am glad I have a no trade clause, as I wanted to be here. Not many players get a chance to start and end in one place. Look at the Hyakujuu Shinkansen; I think they traded even the janitors this year. They may have even swapped wives for all we know. Those players will never have the distinction of a true franchise player.
Takanawa: So lets talk 2020 draft. It looks to be the best draft the LRS has ever had. Who do you think should go 1st overall and whom would you draft after? The team has 5 picks in round 1.
Kudo: Yeah that is going to be an amazing draft. We have top players in High school and College ready to burst onto the scene. LF Masakado ‘Stubblebeard’ Kato is going number 1 over all and that would be a travesty if it happened another way. The kid has huge power that reminds me of LF Morihiro ‘Homu-Ran’ Nakamura who to this date has over 400 homers. Kato also has speed and can be a threat. Now I know I am blowing this kid’s head up and hopefully his ego stays the same but look at these number here. He has 211 hits in college so far of those hits 174 of those are runs! That is frigging huge 82% of the hits he gets is a run. Of those runs 32% of the time he hit a homer. Oh and of those 211 hits he had 202 RBIs, this guy is smart also, he can do my taxes any day. It is rare that you have a natural leader, who is as loyal as he is as good as a player as he is. He is a can not miss player who can change the way batters are looked at. Once he was drafted I would either Draft support around him so pitchers who walk him get hammered or I would draft 4 pitchers who can keep the score low enough that when Kato has guys built around him the team would be devastating.
Takanawa: Well you did talk coaching down the road, Can you or would you see yourself coaching him?
Kudo: That would be awesome to see. I would groom him to hit 500 homers if I had the chance. The kid is a dream that is for sure.
Well that is all for now.
T.T
