Cover-up in Shizouka?
Jim Bouton is on the Trail of Naha Shisa Shenanigans
(The following article has been banned in all Japanese markets)
5/7/2012: Naha, Japan – It’s the day before Opening Day and the weather is absolutely lovely in the island city of Naha. However, the weather forecast for Opening Day is anything but promising. Storm clouds are forming on the horizon – both literally and figuratively – for the Naha Shisa franchise.
I was planning on writing a lighthearted spring training wrap-up with a focus on the quirky personality that is represented by the team’s scout Daisuke Wakabayashi. For a while, that’s how it panned out.
I brought my wife Paula along. She is a very astute observer of human nature and I figured we would just sit out in the stands, watching the players practice and listen to the verbal gems of baseball wisdom flow from the scout’s mouth. Instead, we were directed to go into the clubhouse and then into a back room that was decked out with all the comforts of home. It was also a technophile’s dream.
Daisuke is a hulk of a man, built like an NFL linebacker. His arms are exceedingly long, and they were in constant motion as we walked in. He looked every bit the mad scientist as he dexterously manipulated his keyboard. Various views of the players on the field appeared on his huge multi-screen monitor display that virtually covered an entire wall.
He smiled proudly at us as we walked in. “As you can see, having a technically savvy team owner has its perks,” he beamed. “I realize that this sounds a bit odd coming from a scout, but I’m a bit of an agoraphobe, so this helps me to do my job to the best of my ability. I also have cameras mounted in both of our minor league stadiums which I can also manipulate remotely.”
Paula and I seated ourselves on the comfortable couch behind him and he turned back to his “scouting instrument” as he gave us the lowdown on the 2012 version of the Naha Shisa.
“As you know, we are in the rebuilding stage of our franchise. We only have one player that has been to an All-Star game (pitcher Michio Nakashima). Still, I think our fans will be pleased by the product we put on the field,” he said, sounding like the narrator at a planetarium.
“Losing José Escalante was a blow, but I think our new centerfielder Francisco Martínez will be one of those career minor league gaijin that will flourish in Japanese baseball. Look at the jump he gets on the ball when he plays the outfield. Best I’ve ever seen. We also picked up Yasutoki Kikuchi. He is practically the ideal number two hitter and can play every infield position. Overall, our lineup has decent speed and power, and we will score more runs that you might think. Our pitching, while not spectacular, should also be at least league average. Despite our being in a rebuilding stage, we will be competitive,” Daisuke finished, turning back to us.
I asked him to give us a rundown on the team’s prospects. His face glowed.
“Scouting amateurs is my passion,” he gushed. “I am most pleased with what we have on the horizon. Already, my 2010 draft is paying off, as two players from it will be in the starting lineup. I got our catcher Kikunojo Fukuda in the 6th round. I drafted him for his sound defense, but he has done nothing but hit since he’s arrived on the big league scene. He had a great spring, rapping out a .950 OPS. Katsuhiko Yano is our left fielder of the present and the future. He’s a five-tool player that will delight Naha Shisa fans for years to come. In the pitching department, we have some fine arms in the form of Naomichi Nakagawa and Tadahisa Sanu, who were rated as the 13th and 14th top prospects, respectively. We are also converting fireballer León Fernández to a starter in AAA this year. His 101 MPH fastball has our fans salivating.”
Daisuke had the feel of a man wrapping up a planned speech. “Finally, I will point out that almost every player we draft has an excellent work ethic and attitude. We definitely emphasize character when we draft.”
“Funny you should mention that,” I began. Paula shifted nervously beside me. She’s heard that counter-gambit before. “You haven’t mentioned the team’s top prospect, Kimi ‘Nails’ Fujita. Are there certain character issues regarding him?”
The instant transmogrification of Daisuke’s face was a sight to behold. In an instant, his warm demeanor vanished and his face became something resembling one of those from Easter Island. “I believe our time is up,” he said coldly. “I have much preparation to do for tomorrow’s opener.”
Paula gave me her “Should I start packing now?” look, but she had married the “Bulldog” and resigned herself for what happened next.
“No, really Mr. Wakabayashi, what is going on with Kimi? He was once ranked the #4 prospect in all of Japanese baseball and now he has faded to #28. He was not invited to spring training, and I can’t seem to get a straight answer from anybody regarding him,” I persisted. “And as far as character is concerned, he was described as a patron saint of baseball when he was first drafted.”
“There is nothing to say about Mr. Fujita,” Daisuke said coldly. “He will play third base on our AAA team this year. That is all Mr. Bouton.”
I left his office with Paula striding by my side. “That isn’t all, is it, Mr. Bouton?” she asked mischievously. “I think we better move fast if we are going to get to the bottom of this. I saw deportation in that scout’s eyes.”
Indeed, before the day was over, I received an email from GM Fees saying that my services as team correspondent were no longer desired. He would not pick up the phone to tell me why, nor would he meet me face-to-face.
Paula and I quickly packed up and went to Naha Airport. We were going to make sure we were on hand for the Shizouka Anguiras home opener the next day. We also brought along our secret weapon.
(To be continued…)