Happy Birthday Kosuke Fukudome

Kosuke Fukudome's birthday is April 26 and this year he celebrated it in the United States. In fact he celebrated in the nations capital as the Chicago Cubs played the Washington Nationals.

Before the game he was presented a birthday cake by Japanese media. Unfortunately no one noticed that his name had been spelled "Fukutome" incorrectly on the cake.

Read the story on mlb.com

Chicago Cubs Stop Selling of Unlisenced Offensive Fukudome Shirt

The t-shirt pictured to the left has been the basis of controversy in Wrigleyville and the blogosphere this week. It is one of several unlisenced shirts sold outside of Wrigley Field designed to cash in on Fukudome-Mania and deprive drunken fans of their money. You can find some interesting unofficial merchandise outside of the stadium. Many people apparently found this shirt to be hilarious because the vendor who sold it said it was a top seller. Many others had the opposite reaction and found it to be offensive and racist.

It basically plays on the old stereotype of the funny talking Asian and slaps a Harry Carey reference on top of a slant eyed Cubs logo. The t-shirt doesn't reference Fukudome but he was certainly an inspiration for the shirt. Not that we ever hear him speak English but if he did, some fans may presume this is how he would speak.

A story that appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times launched a storm of complaints about the offensive Fukudome t-shirt and within the day of it's publication the Chicago Cubs were outside the stadium telling the vendors to remove the unlisenced shirt and presumably threatening legal action for trademark violation.

I'm not sure what you think of this shirt (leave a comment if you like) but lets see what our hero Kosuke Fukudome thinks about the controversial t-shirt:

''I don't know what the creator of the shirt meant this to be, but they should make it right. Maybe the creator created it because he thought it was funny, or maybe he made it to condescend the race. I don't know. I knew I was coming to a different country, so I expected something like this. Maybe not necessarily racial, but that anybody could take any context of my words and degrade me if they wanted to. But if I make a big deal out of it, it's not going to benefit me, so I'm not going to make a big deal of it.'''

Doesn't exactly sound like an endorsement. More like he's not not offended.

Mr. Fukudome, I would like to apologize on behalf of Chicago Cubs fans. Some of the drunken suburbanites who come to Wrigley know not what they do.




Related:

Words Cannot Describe It - from Chicago Tribune

Fukudome Doesn't Find Racist T-shirts in Wriglyville Funny - Chicago Sun Times

Cubs Remedy T-Shirt Scandal - Sports Frog

Kosuke Fukudome Chunichi Dragons Jersey

Here is look at the Kosuke Fukudome Chunichi Dragons Jersey that he wore before he donned the honorable uniform of the Chicago Cubs. Personally, I think he looks better in a Cubs jersey.

Fukudome wore number one even before he came to play for the Cubs. Apparently he's always been confident and poised.

The Kosuke Fukudome Dragons Jersey can be hard to find but you do occasionally see a Kosuke Fukudome Dragons Jersey on Ebay.

It is much easier to find a Kosuke Fukudome Chicago Cubs Jersey. Visit the Delusional Cubs Fan Store.














Kosuke Fukudome Jerseys

Chunichi Dragons Jersey

Sometimes you will find a Chunichi Dragons Jersey for sale on Ebay but they are surprisingly rare. Look below to see if they currently have one for sale.

Chunichi Dragons Kusuke Fukudome Bobble Head

Check out this awesome and super rare Kosuke Fukudome Bobble Head doll from 2003 when he was with the Chunichi Dragons!

Admire the photos because the Kosuke Fukudome Bobblehead is extremely rare. In fact I couldn't find any information about it online at all, other than these photos which were posted on an Ebay Auction.

The base of the figurine reads "The Leading Hitter 2002", honoring Fukudome as the 2002 batting champion.

If you happen to be lucky enough to see this post before 4/20/2008 then go make a bid on the Fukudome bobble head on Ebay and you could own this unique Kosuke Fukudome collectible.

If you miss the auction and want a chance to own a Kosuke Fukudome bobble head, then your next opportunity is to go see the Cubs on May 27, 2007. This is Kosuke Fukudome Bobblehead day and if you are one of the first 10,000 people in attendance then you will own your own Fukudome for FREE. That's going to be a popular item and I will be sure to update you with photos of the Chicago Cubs Fukudome Bobblehead as soon as they are available.

I'm considering going to Fukudome bobblehead day myself but I'm already going to a bunch of games already so I'm not sure if I will be able to swing it. You can only take off so many days for Cubs games before the boss starts to get pissed.

If you want to go then a good bet is to buy Fukudome Bobble Head Day Chicago Cubs Tickets on Ebay. I hope to see you there!!!

Kosuke Fukudome Career with Chunichi Dragons of Japan

Before Kosuke Fukudome signed with the Chicago Cubs on December 12, 2007 he played nine season for the Chunichi Drangons of Japan.





The Dragons are in the Central League and play in the city of Nagoya. The Dragons won the 2007 Japan Series by beating the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Unfortunately, Fukudome did not play in the series due to injury.

Kosuke Fukudome played for the Chunichi Dragons from 1999-2007.

Fukudome career batting average: .305
Fukudome career home runs: 192
Fukudome career on base percentage: .397

Kosuke Fukudome was Central League batting champion in 2002 with a .343 batting average.

Kosuke Fukudome was Central League MVP in 2006 with 31 Home Runs, 104 RBI and a .351 batting average.

Fukudome joined the Chunichi Dragons as a first round draft choice in 1998. He played shortstop during his 1998 rookie season. He was not considered a good defensive shortstop. Fukudome played third base during his second season before finally settling in on playing right field in 2000, where he played for the next seven seasons before coming to Chicago. In right field he has excelled and won four golden gloves for defense.

Kosuke Fukudome can now be found patrolling right field for the Chicago Cubs. He is the first Cubs right fielder to be fully embraced by the Cubs fans since Sammy Sosa owned that corner from 1992 - 2005. We wish him well and hope he brings the same luck that won the Dragons a championship to Chicago.

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Official Website of Chunichi Dragons

Kosuke Fukudome's First Week on the Chicago Cubs

Kosuke Fukudome, we hope that you have enjoyed your first week in Chicago as much as we have.

We collectively freaked out and fell in love with you in your first game as a Chicago Cub.

You hit when it mattered, you worked counts like nobody else on the team, you played defense and showed great all around skills.

You even laid down a perfect bunt, extremely rare for guys who make $48 million plus. (Soriano did not take note as he was on the phone with his accountant at the time).

In your first week you are hitting .458, have a .581 on-base percentage, .708 slugging percentage and 1 homer, 3 doubles and 6 RBIs.

That's a darn good week for a rookie. You sure know how to make a good first impression.

Now Lets All Say it together "It's Gonna Happen"


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Fukudome Enjoys a Strong First Week - Read

Photo from Guano

Signs in Japanese for Fans of Kosuke Fukudome

Chicago Cubs fans of Kosuke Fukudome have taken to creating signs in Japanese to hold up for their new hero in right field. This has led to some translation issues though because the free online translation tools you find don't always give you the direct English to Japanese translation one is hoping for.

For example, on opening day several fans in right field held up signs that were supposed to say "It's gonna happen!", the old Cubbie expression which roughly translates from Cubbie to English as "This is the Year!". Unfortunately the signs that were being held up actually translated roughly to "It was lucky" or "It was accidental", which much have lead Fukudome to question why all those sign holding fans after his 3-run homer on opening day were putting him down after he tied up the game in the bottom of the ninth.

In an effort to make sure this doesn't happen again, here are a series of signs in Japanese written by a Japanese speaker for fans of Kosuke Fukudome:

Correct Japanese translation of "It's Gonna Happen"

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"Shine in Chicago"

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"Hit Them All!", Which Fukudome certainly does. Apparently a popular sign in Japan.

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Japanese for "Win" which in Cubbie to English translates as "W".

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"Rising Dragon Flies in the Sky" - May or may not apply but it was on a sign at a Churachi Dragons game and I thought it sounded awesome.

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All signs and translations provided by Dragon Fanatic

Cubs Fans Accidentally Insult Fukudome - Read