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Archived News of Frank's Field of Dreams

"The Old Reflector"
"Tazawa Redux?"
Yusei Kikuchi, the 18-year-old left-hander projected to
be the No. 1 overall selection in next month's Japanese
amateur draft, is expected to decide as early as this week
whether to become the first high school player to bypass
Japan's draft and sign with a Major League organization.
(9/29)
Top amateur to choose Japan or MLB

"Mysterious Matsui."
Despite some knee problems which prevented him to
play on the field, Hideki Matsui's hitting has not lost a
beat. Matsui is currently hitting .280 with 28 home runs
and 88 RBIs in 137 games as the New York Yankees' DH.
(9/27)
With his bat, Matsui making his case to stay

"Ya Outta Here."
Ichiro got ejected for the first time in his entire career,
he perhaps lost two extra at-bats, and for the first
time in 181 games, he had back-to-back hitless games.
(9/27)
Ichiro ejected for first time in career
Ichiro hitless in second straight game

"Come on Down..."
Not Bob Barker hosting "The Price is Right", but Glen Barker,
Houston Astros' Pacific Rim scouting director signed Korean
infielder Chan Jong Moon to a Minor League deal. It is Barker's
second Asian signing, following Taiwanese pitcher, Chia-Jen Lo.
(9/25)
Astros sign Korean prospect Moon

"Japanese Red Sox."
Believe it or not, there are four Japanese pitchers on
the Boston Red Sox' pitching staff, an amazing feat.
(9/21)
Dice-K, bats power sweep
Tazawa's first pro season at an end
Sox set standard for Japanese players

"Walk-Off Win."
Ichiro continued his amazing season, in which he
delivered the game winning single against one
of the best closer of all-time, Mariano Rivera.
(9/18)
Ichiro's walk-off hit ends 14-inning thriller
Ichiro's walk-off shot stuns Mariano, Yanks

"He's Out..."
Chan Ho Park left the game with a hamstring strain,
where he felt there was a pop, he will be reevaluated
again later by team trainer to see how serious it is.
(9/17)
Park departs with right hamstring strain

"He's Back..."
Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched marvelously in his first
start after missing three months being on the DL,
he gave up only 3 hits and 3 walks to go with 5
strikeouts in 6 scoreless innings in Boston Red Sox's
4 - 1 win over Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

So Taguchi also made it back to the Major League,
after playing the entire season in AAA-Iowa, where the
season ended over a week ago, he got an unexpected
phone call as Chicago Cubs is short of outfielders.
(9/16)
Matsuzaka starts anew as old Dice-K
Cubs add Taguchi for outfield depth

"Chasing History, Cont."
After two more days of waiting, Ichiro is now on a class
of his own by being the first player in the Major League
history to have 200 hits for nine consecutive seasons.
(9/14)
Ichiro just two hits from making history
Mariners win as Ichiro nears record
Mariners get 199th hit by Ichiro in loss
Baseball world wowed by Ichiro's feat
Ichiro sets MLB record on infield grounder
Mariners split on record day for Ichiro

"Ready to Return."
After missing almost three months, Daisuke Matsuzaka is
set to make his return to Boston Red Sox's starting rotation.
(9/14)
Dice-K to return Tuesday vs. Angels
Dice-K's back, but which version?

"Hu's Up."
For the first time this season, former prospect
Chin-Lung Hu is getting called up to the Major League.
(9/13)
Dodgers promote DeWitt, Hu

"Kudos to Kuroda."
Los Angeles Dodgers is still leading the NL West by
two games, thanks to Hiroki Kuroda's latest outing
where he pitched well against rival San Francisco Giants.
(9/12)
Dodgers protect lead with Kuroda's help

"Chasing History."
Not quite there yet, Ichiro is still trying to be the first
player to have 200 hits in nine consecutive seasons.
(9/11)
Ichiro making run at record, Hall of Fame
Angels a hit in making Ichiro miss
Ichiro's run rivals Wee Willie's
Ichiro might be pressing as record nears

"Rocky Rookie Season."
Koji Uehara will not be pitching again this season,
his recovery from a partially torn right flexor
tendon was not getting any significant progress.
(9/11)
Pitchers Henn, Uehara join Orioles
Uehara officially done for season

"Clutch Matsui."
With a hot bat last month, Hideki Matsui was named
Major League Baseball Clutch Performer in August.
(9/9)
Matsui takes August clutch honors

"September Returns, Cont."
Hiroki Kuroda returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers
only 23 days after getting hit in the head by a baseball.

Daisuke Matsuzaka will pitch one more game in the
Minor League and he will join the Boston Red Sox after that.
(9/8)
Dodgers drop Kuroda's return
Dice-K set for final rehab start at Class A

"Y2K."
The quest is over, Ichiro notched his 2,000th Major League
hit in only 1,402 games, the second-fastest player to do
so after Al Simmons, who achieved it 12 games faster.
(9/6)
Ichiro becomes second-fastest to 2,000 hits
Ichiro notches 2,000th hit as Mariners fall

"Dicey Dice-K."
After being away for almost three months, Daisuke Matsuzaka is
very eager of returning to the Boston Red Sox's starting rotation.
(9/6)
Dice-K might get one more rehab start
Dice-K eager to lend helping hand

"Walk-Off Style."
With the two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning and
the bases loaded, Kaz Matsui's timely single sealed the
win for Houston Astros against Philadelphia Phillies.
(9/5)
Matsui sends Astros to walk-off win

"September Returns."
Hiroki Kuroda is also slated to return soon after
everything went quite well during his rehab programs.
(9/3)
Dodgers' Kuroda could return Sunday
Kuroda could start Sunday for Dodgers
Kuroda mentally prepared for return
Comeback for Kuroda begins Sunday

Koji Uehara and Daisuke Matsuzaka, who both missed a
large chunk of this season is expected to return this month.
(9/1)
Uehara could return for end of season
Dice-K, Lowrie eyeing imminent returns

"Paper Moved."
Junichi Tazawa is being optioned down, but technically
he never went to Fort Myers, Florida, as it was only a
paper move for Boston Red Sox to make sure they could
get another reliever up to cover their depleted bullpen.
(8/30)
Red Sox option Tazawa to rookie ball

"Injuries Updates."
Akinori Iwamura is back from the 60-DL after missing the
previous 81 games while recovering from the left knee
surgery he had. Hiroki Kuroda continues to show signs
that he is ready to pitch and start a rehab assignment.
(8/29)
Rays welcome Iwamura back from DL
Kuroda tosses successful simulated game

"Starters' Tale."
Junichi Tazawa pitched his worst game of his brief MLB
career so far, and Daisuke Matsuzaka's rehab with
AA-Portland will have to wait due to inclement weathers.
(8/28)
Tazawa hit hard in loss to White Sox
Dice-K's rehab start pushed to Sunday

"Kuroda's Workouts."
Hiroki Kuroda improved his status as he passed the tests
given to him for his recovery back to the Major League mound.
(8/26)
Dodgers' Kuroda steps up workouts
Dodgers' Kuroda throws full 'pen session

"Center of Attention."
Normally a corner outfielder, Shin-Soo Choo played
centerfield for the first time in three years after
regular centerfielder Grady Sizemore could not suit up.
(8/25)
Choo makes first start in center since '07

"Day to Day."
Ichiro is out after he felt tightness in his left calf,
the injury is not serious as he is only listed day-to-day.
(8/24)
Ichiro sidelined by sore calf muscle

"Back from Buffalo."
Ken Takahashi, who previously had a stint with New York Mets
earlier this season is back with the team once again from
AAA-Buffalo. Takahashi had a very good season this year.
(8/24)
Mets recall Takahashi, option Misch

"Trailblazer Tazawa."
Like Hideo Nomo 15 years ago, Junichi Tazawa set a new
standard for players from Japan who had great success
by making the decision of what is the best for his career.

After a year when he made a decision of not pitching in
the NPB, Tazawa has managed to secured a spot in the
starting rotation of the Boston Red Sox, at least for now.
(8/23)
Tazawa wave of the future?
Tazawa bumps Penny to bullpen role

"Football Season."
New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox scored 31 combined
runs, Hideki Matsui had a career high 7 RBIs in this game.
(8/22)
Yankees unleash Godzilla upon Boston

"Catch on Kuroda."
Hiroki Kuroda played catch for the first time since
suffering a concussion, while he is out, Vicente Padilla
will take his spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation.
(8/21)
Kuroda plays catch for first time since injury
Dodgers eye Padilla to fill in for Kuroda

"Ichirolling."
Ichiro once again is on the MLB Hank Aaron Award nominee
list along with yet another 200 hits season to come along.
Former teammate Shin-Soo Choo is also an MLB Hank
Aaron Award nominee, representing Cleveland Indians.
(8/19)
New faces join Ichiro as Aaron nominees
Ichiro draws closer to 200 hits
Choo, Peralta, Cabrera are Aaron nominees

"Matsuzaka Plan."
Daisuke Matsuzaka will pitch a side session, then a game
with the GCL Red Sox, plus a few more AA/AAA games under
his beat before his return to the Boston Red Sox rotation.
(8/19)
Wake, Dice-K set to pitch Friday

"Kuroda Knockout."
Hiroki Kuroda made me thought about Kaz Ishii, who also
happen to be a Japanese pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers
a few years back that got hit by a dangerous comebacker.
(8/19)
Kuroda lucky to escape major injury
Dodgers lose Kuroda in 10-inning loss
Kuroda 'lucky to be alive' but feeling good
Tests show mild concussion for Kuroda
Dodgers place Kuroda on 15-day DL

"Yearly Event."
Hideki Matsui's knee once again needed to have it drained
when it was swollen up, he had the same for a few years now.
(8/18)
Matsui has swollen knee drained
Matsui thinks ailing left knee will be fine

"Meikyukai Matsui? Cont."
Congratulations to Kaz Matsui, who officially became a
member of the Meikyukai club after a few days of waiting.
(8/15)
Matsui must wait for Meikyukai
Matsui notches 2,000th career hit

"Lucky Kuo."
Hong-Chih Kuo said he is lucky to still be pitching,
he credited his teammates for giving him the supports.
(8/13)
Kuo a marvel of persistence

"Meikyukai Matsui?"
Just one more hit would put Kaz Matsui into the
Meikyukai, a Japanese special achievement which
membership is automatically given to pitchers who
collects 200 victories or hitters with 2,000 hits.
(8/13)
Matsui one hit away from history
Matsui takes pursuit of 2,000 to Milwaukee

"September Returns."
It has been a while since both Koji Uehara and
Aki Iwamura both played in the Major League,
both are expected to return from their injuries
next month when the roster expands to 40.
(8/11)
Uehara to begin throwing program
Rays sending Iwamura on rehab with plan

"Generation K."
Hiroki Kuroda is arguably the most successful
Japanese starter this season in the Major League.
(8/11)
Kemp's big hit helps Kuroda beat Giants

"Tazawa Tidbits."
Junichi Tazawa gave up a walk-off homer in his Major League
debut, that did not change the Boston Red Sox's plan of
having him to start the next time he is out on the mound.
(8/9)
Tazawa laments pitch to A-Rod
Tazawa to start Tuesday vs. Tigers

"Red Sox News."
Daisuke Matsuzaka spoke to clear up his controversial
comments regarding on how Boston Red Sox
handled his rehab and pitching routines last week.

Junichi Tazawa will be the 4th Japanese pitcher to suit
up for Boston Red Sox this season, he will be available
to pitch during the series against New York Yankees.
(8/7)
Dice-K clears up controversial comments
With roster in flux, Tazawa promoted

"Area 51."
Although not at Safeco Field, Ichiro still made any ballpark's
right field entertaining. Ichiro made an absolutely fantastic
catch to end the game where most of the fans did see it, it
was right behind the folded tarp and next to a barrier wall.
(8/5)
Ichiro's grab seals Mariners' gritty win

"Matsuzaka's Progress."
Daisuke Matsuzaka is not going to return until next month
at the earliest, but since the Boston Red Sox is also in Florida,
he will get a few days off from his strength/conditioning program.
(8/4)
Wakefield, Dice-K making progress