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Archived News of Frank's Field of Dreams

"The Old Reflector"
"Dozen Wins."
Chien-Ming Wang pitched a 2 hitter for his 1st career
shutout. Yankees blanked the Devil Rays, 6 - 0.
(7/29)
Wang blanks Rays in opener

"Rox Beat the Pads."
Byung-Hyun Kim pitched a career-high 7 2/3 innings,
while gave up one unearned run as the Rockies
beat the NL West leading Padres 3 - 1.
(7/29)
Rox, Kim sit down first-place Friars

"Choo's Weekend Adventures."
Shin-Soo Choo found himself wearing a new uniform as he joins
his new organization after being traded, just to hit his 1st career
homer, against the team that traded him away. Choo's homer was
the difference maker in Indians' 1 - 0 win over the Mariners.
(7/28)
Choo searching for stability
Choo boosts Sowers 'complete' effort

"Mid-Season Update."
Here are how the Asian players has fared in the
Major League during the 1st half of the 2006 season.

Shin-Soo Choo
Tearing up in AAA and got a cup of coffee with the Mariners.
Only collected 1 hit in 11 at-bats, the latest rumor is the Mariners
are offering to any team interested of acquiring him via trade.

Byung-Hyun Kim
A full time starter for the first time in his 8 year Major League career,
Kim is pitching like what most other starters would have in a Rockies'
uniform, As currently, Kim have a losing record with an ERA over 5.

Sun Woo Kim
Started the season in the Major League as the Rockies' long reliever.
Kim Pitched in 6 games and gave up as least a run in every game.
Currently, Kim is in AAA hoping to get his controls/mechanics back.

Chan Ho Park
Park is pitching ok for the Padres, but way not good enough for
the 15 million dollars he's going to make during this season.

Jae Kuk Ryu
The latest Korean player to make it to the Major League, Ryu showed
the Cubs that he is not ready for the Major League yet. In Ryu's
only start, he lasted only 1 1/3 innings and gave up 6 earned runs.

Jae Seo
Brilliant in the World Baseball Classic pitching for Korea, Seo never
settled down with the Dodgers, who just acquired him a couple months
earlier from the Mets. Dodgers gave up on Seo quickly as he was
traded to the Devil Rays. Seo is currently a starter for the Devil Rays.

Ichiro
Ichiro started out slowly for the Mariners, but got hot during May and
has not slow down one bit since. Ichiro started once again for the AL
in the All-Star game, Ichiro is just being Ichiro again, hitting and
playing great defense like he always has. The biggest surprise is
that he has stole 32 bases, and only caught stolen twice so far.

Tadahito Iguchi
Maybe I'm being biased, but I felt Iguchi should've made the All-Star
team over Jose Lopez. Iguchi proved that there is no such thing as a
sophomore slump, as he is having a good season as the one from last year.

Kenji Johjima
When he first signed, many fans questioned his ability for handling
the pitching staff without the ability of speaking fluent English. Johjima
has started 85% of the Mariners' games and the Mariners proved
once again they've found another good player out of Japan.

Hideki Matsui
Matsui got hurt early and has not play in over 2 months. At first, there
were rumor that he might be out for the year, however, the latest news
is that he is start practicing again and may come back sometime in August.

Kaz Matsui
Matsui hit a home run in his first at bat of the year, and that is about the
only good thing that has happened to him all year. The Mets are done
with him as they ship him to Colorado for journeymen Eli Marrero, and
right now Matsui is in AAA trying to regain everything he once had in Japan.

Tomo Ohka
Recently came back from the DL after the All-Star break, Ohka
pitches effective despite being absent for over 2 months. Left hand
hitters are hitting below the Mendoza Line against Ohka.

Aki Otsuka
Took over as the closer role two weeks into the season, Otsuka has
excelled in his new role. Otsuka has not given up a run in over a month.

Takashi Saito
Perhaps the biggest surprise, Saito, a 36 years old pitcher who many team
were afraid to sign because of his age is now the closer for the team after injury
to Eric Gagne, something no one expected since Saito started the year in AAA.

So Taguchi
Began the year as the starting left fielder for the Cardinals, Taguchi
struggled a little and now is sharing the position with John Rodriguez.

Hong-Chih Kuo
Kuo has been up and down all year long, start the year in the Major but
inconsistency made the management given a second thought of him needed
more time in the Minor League. Currently in AAA to work with his control issue.

Chien-Ming Wang
Wang said his goal for the season is to get 15 wins, and so far Wang has 11
victories. The last 10 outings, Wang compiled ERA of 3.05 while going 6 - 2.
(7/20)

"Angel in the Outfield."
Keith LeClair, East Carolina University's (my alma mater)
head baseball coach from 1997 to 2002, passed away at his
home following an extended illness. LeClair, had been battling
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or
Lou Gehrig's Disease, for the past five years. During his collegiate
baseball career as a player, assistant coach and head coach
at Western Carolina University and East Carolina, LeClair was
a part of 13 NCAA Tournament teams and earned five conference
coach-of-the-year awards. LeClair became the second-winningest
baseball coach in school history in just five seasons at East Carolina,
compiling a 212-96-1 (.688) record. He also led the Pirates to
four straight NCAA Regional appearances, three Colonial Athletic
Association championships and one Conference USA title. His
2001 club advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals and finished with a
No. 11 national ranking after registering a 47-13 mark. His final squad
was ranked in the Top 25 polls for much of the season, swept through the
C-USA Tournament and won a pair of games at the Clemson Regional.
Thanks to Coach LeClair for everything he has done for the ECU
baseball program, and like he once said, "We will get to Omaha."
 

(7/17)
Former ECU Baseball Coach, Dies After Extended Illness

"Behind The Plate."
No catcher in Major League Baseball has logged more innings
behind the plate this season than Mariners' Kenji Johjima.
(7/16)
Notes: Johjima welcomes workload

"Words of Wisdom."
"If there is a problem, we need to notice what
creates the problem." --- Ichiro, 7/10/06
(7/10)
Ichiro: Mariners need to look within

"Hu's Day."
Thanks for MLB.com's video, fans got a chance to follow
Los Angeles Dodgers' Chin-Lung Hu in the Futures Game.

"Big League stadium is awesome." --- Chin-Lung Hu

"He (Hu) is going to be a good one." --- HOF Shortstop Ozzie Smith



(7/9)

"Wang Wins Again."
Chien-Ming Wang's 8 1/3-innings gem. Wang allowed just 6 hits,
while throwing 103 pitches, 67 of which that went for strikes. He
walked 2 and fanned 2 in his 9th win, calling it his best game of
the season. Yankees past the Devil Rays 5 - 1, as Joe Torre ties
Casey Stengel with 1,926 wins, 10th most of all-time.
(7/8)
Wang picks up ninth win of season

"World Classic Arm."
The Cleveland Indians invested in their future, when they signed
Taiwanese right-hander Sung-Wei Tseng to a free agent Minor League
contract for the 2007 season. Tseng, pitched for Taiwan in the 2006
World Baseball Classic, appearing in one game. He was the only
amateur pitcher on the Taiwanese squad. He will report to the
Instructional League in September following his commitment with the
Taiwanese National Team. While it's not etched in stone, Indians
scouting director John Mirabelli thinks Tseng could begin the
2007 season at Class A Kinston, as age wise and experience,
Tseng's equally on both as a college junior pitcher in the US.
(7/7)
Tribe inks Taiwanese right-hander

"Choo Up."
With the injury to Jeremy Reed, the Mariners decided to called up
a hot bat to replace him. Shin-Soo Choo, as Choo, who was hitting
.327 with the AAA Tacoma Rainiers and .452 in his last 24 games.
(7/3)
Notes: Choo recalled from Tacoma

"Ichiro Q & A."
Do you know Ichiro?
(7/1)
Wild Pitches with Ichiro Suzuki

"Yung Chi's Field of Dreams."
Yung Chi Chen (pictured below) has not only come a long way
from home, he's come a long way in baseball, too. As mention
earlier, Chen, along with Chin-Lung Hu, a good friend of Chen
who both played together in college and Taiwan's National
Team will both represent Taiwan in the 2006 Futures Game.

(6/29)
Chen making good on baseball dream
Meet the Future: World Team middle infielders

"Cannon Arm."
Chien-Ming Wang got a no-decision against John Smoltz and
the Braves, but he has a 3-1 record and 2.48 ERA in his past
5 starts, all of which he has gone at least 7 innings. He is now 9-3
with a 4.01 ERA on the season. Following Wang's previous start,
catcher Jorge Posada said Wang's stuff is the best on the staff.
(6/28)
Another solid outing for Wang

"One Down One to Go."
Ichiro is in for the All-Star game for sure, but how about his
fellow countrymen Tadahito Iguchi? Iguchi slammed 7 RBIs
in a game just a couple days ago and it's 3rd leading vote getting
for AL 2nd basemen after Robinson Cano and Mark Loretta.
(6/28)
Notes: Ichiro third in All-Star voting
Notes: Iguchi needs All-Star assistance

"Manager Gone Wild."
Anyone does anything funny and crazy on the baseball diamond
deserves a mention on my website. As no one gets hurt during the
confrontation, but Asheville Tourists' manager Joe Mikulik goes wild in
Lexington, Kentucky. You gotta love the dive he made into 2nd base.



(6/27)
Tourists manager suspended for tirade

"Coast to Coast."
Jae Seo, traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the New York Mets
this past winter got traded again. This time, Seo will move from the
NL West to the AL East as he joins the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
(6/27)
Rays add Seo, Navarro in swap with LA

"Mile High Shutout."
Byung-Hyun Kim pitched a gem as he struck out 7 and gave
up 5 hits and a walk in his 2nd straight scoreless performance.
Opponents haven't scored on Kim in 13 consecutive innings.
Thanks to Kim and 2 other relievers, Rockies shutout Rangers, 3 - 0.
(6/25)
Rockies ride Kim's dominance to victory

"Home Run Feast."
Kenji Johjima hits 2 homers in Mariners' 9 - 5 win against the
Padres. The game featured 8 homers from both teams.
South Korean hurler Chan Ho Park suffers his 4th loss of the year.
(6/25)
Johjima's solo shots give Mariners win

"Fishing in the Bronx."
Chien-Ming Wang has picked up 4 wins in his last 5 decisions
for New York. Wang goes 7 innings for his 8th win of year.
Yankees defeats the red hot Marlins by the score of 6 - 5.
(6/24)
Wang bounces back against Fish

"2006 Futures' Game."
The Futures' Game, annually played during the All-Star break
before the All-Star game has named the roster with 3 Asian players
on the team. Taiwanese infielders Yung-Chi Chen (Mariners), and
Chin-Lung Hu (Dodgers) will join pitcher Jae Kuk Ryu (Cubs) as
they will try to lead the World Team past against the USA Team.
(6/21)
2006 XM SATELLITE RADIO ALL-STAR FUTURES GAME ROSTERS

"All-Star Fever."
 Ichiro, Seattle's streaking outfielder, has streaked right into
position to join the American League's starting outfield for
the 77th All-Star Game. Please vote for Ichiro at the link below.
(6/20)
Ichiro moves into AL's starting outfield
Notes: Ichiro rises in All-Star voting

"One More Shot."
Two weeks ago, Matt Skrmetta was cradling his newborn
baby girl, studying for his real estate license and forgetting all
about the Major League. Earlier last week, he is lacing up his cleats
again after signing a one-year deal with the World Champion
Chicago White Sox. Now he will be wearing a cap for a record
24th professional team and his 13th organization, breaking pitcher
Mike Morgan's record, which took 22 seasons to accumulate.
(6/19)
White Sox call on Skrmetta

"Interleague W."
After enduring one struggle after another as a Texas Rangers,
Chan Ho Park has rediscovered his worth as a pitcher for the
Padres in San Diego. Park helped the Rangers defeat the Angels 7 - 3
giving the Padres two of the three games in the Interleague series.
(6/18)
Park puts a stop to Angels

"Matsui in the Minor."
In his brief stint with the Sky Sox, Kaz Matsui is 5-for-14 with a double.
(6/17)
Matsui seeking a return to form

"Pitching Duel."
The Yankees, who just got swept by the Athletics, bounced back
as Chien-Ming Wang pitched a gem, Wang went 7 1/3 inning where
he gave up only 5 hits. Wang's strong outing helped the Yankees
sneak by the Indians, 1 - 0. A great game for Paul Byrd as well.
(6/13)
Cano, Wang help Yankees end slide

"Moving Day."
Kaz Matsui is traded by the New York Mets to the Colorado Rockies
after 2 1/2 frustrating seasons at Shea. Hopefully the new surrounding
will give him a fresh new start, as the thin air in Colorado should help
him improve his swing. First, Matsui will report to AAA-Colorado Springs
to get back in playing shape, as he has been seldom used the last 2 weeks.
(6/9)
Rox hope new locale will help Kaz
Mets, Rockies swap Matsui, Marrero

"Grim Day."
As many fans already heard from elsewhere, Jason Grimsley
has admitted of using steroid during his playing days. As he also
named couple former teammates that used steroid during
an investigation interview. My feeling is that Jeff Nelson is
very likely one of the his former mate that used illegal enhancing
substance during his career. That's why Nelson is not happy.
(6/7)
Notes: Nelson takes issue with Grimsley

"The Catalyst."
Ichiro, the Mariners' offense catalyst, playing in his
franchise-record 299th consecutive game, had 4 singles
and drove in 1 run. Mariners defeats the Twins, 4 - 2.
(6/7)
Felix, Ichiro lead Mariners past Twins

"All-Star Starter?"
Ichiro remains in the hunt for his 6th consecutive All-Star Game
appearance, which would put him alone behind Ken Griffey Jr.
as the franchise's players with the most stars on their resume.
Ichiro is currently in 4th place among the AL outfielders behind
Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero, and Johnny Damon. The top
3 vote finishers will be the starter for the All-Star game.
(6/6)
Ichiro making push for All-Star selection

"AL POW."
After a torrid May that saw Ichiro hit .371 with a .418 OBP,
Ichiro stepped it up another notch last week. Ichiro hit .440
with a double, a triple and two stolen bases. He also drew three
walks and collected 14 total bases, leaving him with a
.517 OBP and a .560 slugging percentage for the week.
(6/5)
Ichiro named AL Player of the Week

"New Stuffs."
I've changed the picture on the top to be more updated as Jae Seo
was traded to the Dodgers during the off-season. I also added a
multimedia page with wallpapers/banners of Frank's Field of Dreams.
Feel free and download any of them for your personal use.
(6/5)

"St. Louis' Spark."
Just like last season in the wake of injuries to Scott Rolen,
Larry Walker and Reggie Sanders, So Taguchi stepped up. Taguchi
finished 2 for 4, with three runs scored and two stolen bases, in
the process helping to lay the foundation for all three Cardinals
rallies in a 9 - 6 victory over the Cubs at Busch Stadium.
(6/4)
Taguchi sparks offense once again

"2 Up, 2 Down."
The Colorado Rockies recalled pitcher Scott Dohmann and infielder
Omar Quintanilla from Triple-A Colorado Springs and designated
pitcher Sun Woo Kim and infielder Jason Smith for assignment.
(6/4)
Notes: S. Kim and Smith set free

"Benched."
After an impressive April, Kaz Matsui's batting average has dropped
to .211 as of today. Jose Valentin took over the spot in the lineup.
(6/3)
Notes: Matsui's situation murky