Okajima: "Oh no!"

by Randy Booth on Jan 16, 2008 11:05 AM EST in News

Our favorite Japanese reliever Hideki Okajima was in Tokyo to promote the Red Sox's arrive at the end of March. Oki reflected on the past season for him and the Sox:

"It was a long season with few holidays and a lot of travel," said Okajima. "But the biggest problem for me in the first year was the communication problems and getting used to the food."

[...]

Okajima's major league career got off to a rough start. With his first pitch, he gave up a home run to Kansas City's John Buck on April 2.

"After that ball went out, I said to myself 'Oh no!"' Okajima said. "My mind went blank. I went back to my hotel room that night and that's when I realized the major leagues are no piece of cake."

I know why Oki can't adjust to the food. It's because Dougie kept feeding him chicken parm and beer after every game.

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cafardo

off topic, but good q&a from nick cafardo below. says sox may be hoping the mets grab johan, and lugo may have a short leash.

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/01/16/q-a-with-nick-cafardo-of-the-boston-globe/

by em3 on Jan 16, 2008 11:09 AM EST reply actions

on topic

I've been told on numerous occasions that the Sox are always "on topic".

Thanks for the link, I don't know how I missed Cafadaro's article on Sox prospects in the Globe yesterday.

Manny Ramirez is a bad man

by tommy.otm on Jan 16, 2008 7:25 PM EST up reply actions

Re: on topic

yea, that was a great read. Keep the kids!

by em3 on Jan 16, 2008 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Okajima: "Oh no!"

Beer and Chicken Parm

LOL!!!

by AJCOTE on Jan 16, 2008 11:48 AM EST reply actions

The major leagues may be "no piece of cake" but it appears his 'knife and fork' are plenty busy. If more pitchers were able to adapt as well as he did, I doubt we'd have players batting as high as they do with the mediocre pitchers in the league.

The Red Head

by the red head on Jan 16, 2008 12:02 PM EST reply actions

Re: Okajima: "Oh no!"

Can you imagine coming from Japan and eating 99% fish and then going to Boston where "seafood" is New England Clam chowder?

LOL, I actually feel bad for Okie and his intestinal tract.

by SoxAcumen on Jan 16, 2008 4:25 PM EST reply actions

Re: Okajima: "Oh no!"

We actually have a number of fine sushi restaurants in and around the city. I imagine he had bigger problems on the road than at home.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jan 16, 2008 5:10 PM EST up reply actions

Fugakyu

Best sushi in Boston. I've actually seen Hideki Matsui there a couple times, as well as Bill Mueller, Trot and Mark Loretta.

Manny Ramirez is a bad man

by tommy.otm on Jan 16, 2008 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Fugakyu

That's a good group of ballplayers that have eaten there. Maybe Fugakyu is the secret to being a badass...

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jan 16, 2008 7:43 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Fugakyu

Fugakyu is excellent and right down the street from me. Nevertheless, it's not my favorite place and I won't divulge my secret! I'll give you a hint: it's not downtown but it is in one of Boston's neighborhoods.

Oishii is supposed to be fantastic sushi (expensive, too), but I haven't been yet.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jan 17, 2008 9:18 AM EST up reply actions