Tuesday, January 10^th, 2012
Tricia Takanawa, Takanawa Times Volume 5

Yesterday we had the biggest story in the history of the Seoul Crushers.  They had signed he best player in this year’s free agency class… this year’s PEBA free agency class.

Jon Wood, who is in his prime, can do it all.  He has a career batting average of .295 with 75 homers and 388 RBI.  He has a great eye and won’t strike out often or swing at bad pitches.  He happens to be one of the most loyal players a team can have.  His desire to win and his work ethic are beyond that of an average Joe.  That means huge things for Wood and the Crushers.

I had a chance to sit with Wood and Seoul Crushers owner Mark Kierstead, as I was invited to fly over to the States to pick up Jon after the contract signing.  This would be a nonstop flight from Santa Monica, California to Seoul, Korea.

When Jon entered the plane, he started to walk past first class before Kierstead grabbed his arm and pulled him in.  He stated to Wood, “You are a star here.  You fly like one, and you are going to take that star power and fill our seats while I fill your wallet.”

Jon laughed and replied, “I will work hard for every dollar I get.”

Jon dressed very well, wearing a nice blue suit and light blue khakis with a tie that spelled “Seoul” down the front.  Kierstead, on the other hand, looked like he stopped off at the White House and took a presidential suit and tie from the Commander in Chief’s closet.  As I leaned over to get a better look, he shook his head and said, “Yes, the President had it dropped off for me.”  He was also nice to point out the presidential seal on the front of his jacket.

A few hours after takeoff, we started chatting about what Wood will miss most about the States while he is away for four or more years.  After a long pause, during which Jon stared out the window at the cirrus clouds passing softly by, he said, “My friends and family who watched all my games.  A few former teammates I loved to play against.  But I will make new friends, and this team is now my family.”  Kierstead started to reply but then turned over to get some well-needed rest, for it will be almost a 12-hour, 40-minute flight.

I started to close my eyes, considering what the fans may think of bringing an American over to boost the popularity of the team who just booted $30 million dollars of budget room to rebuild.  A team who traded Chouda, the best pitcher in the division, for a 1^st round pick, which happens to be the first pick of the draft.  Then I realized I was mumbling aloud, as I was being stared at by both Kierstead and Wood.  We all chuckled and enjoyed another scotch on the rocks.

Wood whispered into Kierstead’s ear.  Kierstead shook his head and mumbled some more back.  Wood then leaned over and asked how the Takanawa Times was doing.  “It’s doing well,” I explained.  “I try to write as many sports-related articles as possible besides the news around Seoul and weather reports.  I am a journalist who always tries her hardest.  Just like you, I want to work for my money.”

After a few more, whispers Kierstead leaned over and stated that the three of us were going to visit President of Korea Lee Myung-bak to introduce Wood to Korean baseball fans and the fans of the LRS.

Four hours into the flight, we got our first meal.  First class food is way better than your average coach meal.  I had the steak with onions and garlic sauce while Kierstead and Wood went for the lobster tail and shrimp salad.  “Now this is a nice lobster for 30,000 feet in the air,” Wood stated.

“Wait ’til you get to Korea,” Kierstead chirped in before swallowing some shrimp.  Hope he like rice and unique food, because we have a lot of that.

Wood’s mood become more serious the further the flight got along.  He started shifting awkwardly in his seat and looking for wrinkles in his shirt to fix.  I looked over, and he mentioned that he wanted to look as professional as possible.  That won’t be hard for him; he looks like a pro as it is.

Time seemed to be passing us by fast, as we heard over the com that we were close to landing.  “Please buckle up and stay in your seat,” was said in three different languages.  As we buckled, I asked why Jon never asked for a bonus for a certain number of at bats or winning an award.  He quickly responded, ”I like guaranteed money.  My stats alone show I am a hard worker.  I had offers like $13 million over four years and a bonus of $250,000 for 360 at bats a year, but when you look at $15 million a year over four years, it’s more money without the bonuses.  Plus it gives me a chance to see the world.  I do not consider myself a greedy guy, but when money is good or great as a player, that’s where you go.  I became a pro player to make money and become the best player possible.”

I took a deep breath and thought before saying, “Do you think you are the best player in baseball?”

Wood looked at Kierstead with a smile and said, “I signed a great contract with the Seoul Crushers.  Am I the best player?  That’s not for me to decide; that’s for the fans and the players to decide.  I think I am a great player.  I think that you will see how great I am.”

The plane landed about 10 minutes later.  When we off-boarded, we were greeted by 4,000-5,000 screaming fans.  Cheers of, “Wood!  Wood!  Wood!” could be heard throughout the crowd.  When Jon got to the bottom of the stairs, he gracefully waved to fans and signed a few autographs.  He then donned a Crushers hat and jersey and said a few words that I could barely hear over the crowd before dashing to a limo that Kierstead had jumped into, and he was off. 

I am Tricia Takanawa, and this was a smooth flight for the Takanawa Times.