Cubs center fielder Kosuke Fukudome is quietly putting together a very solid year. As May is closing out tomorrow, his .311 batting average and .441 on-base percentage illustrate the rebound he is making from a horrible second half of 2008. Kosuke is hanging in better on pitches, getting plenty of walks, but most importantly he is driving the ball consistently. Fukudome is tied for second on the team in both doubles and home runs. This is all in stark contrast to the player that road his... Read Full Story
Last night in Houston, Kosuke Fukudome broke out in a big, big way. He went 4 for 5 plus a walk, including a double and a homer. Offensively this was his best game as a Cub, having last had a 3-hit game on August 25, 2008 and his only other 4-hit game last May 1st.
Kosuke has looked consistently overmatched in every venue (regular season, playoffs, WBC, spring training) since about June 1st last year. Having a game like he had last night has got to be such a relief, such a release of... Read Full Story
Just days after the news of Kosuke Fukudome 's plans of coming to the big leagues, the Chicago Cubs have landed the Japanese sensation. The 30-year-old outfielder has agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract, subject to a passed physical. Before he underwent surgery on his throwing elbow in August, leaving him out of the Japan Series, he had hit 192 homers with a .305 batting average over nine seasons with the Chunichi Dragons . Fukudome was the 2006 Central League MVP, hitting .351 with... Read Full Story
ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips might want to steer clear of Lou Piniella when the Cubs play Milwaukee on an April 12 ESPN telecast. Piniella was fuming over a remark Phillips made recently on Chet Coppock's WMVP-AM 1000 radio show. Asked about Kosuke Fukudome's rookie season, Phillips criticized Piniella's handling of the Japanese outfielder. "My view is Lou doesn't have a great deal of patience for assimilation into culture, assimilation into the team," Phillips said. "He is just not... Read Full Story
I saw Fukudome hit a home run.
Wow! That guy can hit it real good!
He hits it hard, and the ball landed on the second balcony over at Miller Park. And the Cubs fans were chanting Fuk-u-do-me over and over again. Awesome!
Cubs did well with last week’s four game series against the Brewers. I watched the fourth game (all of it.) I didn’t watch the first three games, I might have caught a glimpse of it when I walked by the other TV that was blaring on in my house since there are other... Read Full Story
Explanation of ratings system and other team previews here
CHICAGO CUBS
Ranks
Overall – 80 points (12th MLB, 6th NL)
Starting Rotation – 31 points (13th MLB, 7th NL)
Line-Up – 34 points (9th MLB, 5th NL)
Bench/Bullpen/Defense – 15 points (T-11th MLB, T-7th NL)
Offseason Additions – Kosuke Fukudome, Jon Lieber
Offseason Subtractions – Cliff Floyd, Jason Kendall, Jacque Jones, Mark Prior
Biggest Strength - Offense
The Cubs were only 9th in the NL in runs scored last year, but... Read Full Story
Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome is expected to make his announcement tonight on whether or not he is coming to the United States, but reports have already come out saying that he will be. The Cubs, Padres, Rangers, and White Sox are believed to be the four teams that have made an offer to him, and a decision is expected as early as tonight. The reason I bring this up is because the level of play in Japan is not as good as it is here, so if he can make the switch and perform is in question. Not... Read Full Story
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Tags Akinori Iwamura
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July 2008
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May 2008
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Tags Akinori Iwamura
Albert Pujols
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All-Star
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batting order
Carlos Zambrano
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Felix Pie
Hideki Matsui
Houston Astros
Ichiro
Jarod Washburn
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Kerry Wood... Read Full Story
