My My My Samardzija

Well well well...the Cubbies have struck again. Today Jeff Samardzija signed a five-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, with the organization holding an option for 2012 and 2013.
The lovable losers from the windy city have had a history of rushing promising pitchers to the major leagues, only to have them break down before realizing their potential.
Right now Kerry Wood and Mark Prior are rolling around in their graves. Wait...They aren't dead? Interesting.
At the same time, the Cubs have cock-blocked the NFL from getting another Great White Hope. Not many white receivers are lighting up the league, as he lit up Division I College Football. This brings to mind one other can't miss prospect who missed in just about every facet of professional sport (except for the part where you make money hand over fist all the while making your employer think you are better than you are), Drew Henson.
The Cubs have made a big mistake. They have tied up guaranteed millions to a unproven commodity, and will pay dearly.
A good pitcher has control before he gets to the professional ranks. Jeff Samardzija has little control (17 SO, 12 BB in 30 IP). Maybe he walked a bunch of people in his first outing. Perhaps he was nervous.
I would be afraid for my starting pitching future if I were a Cubs fan. The over-under for Jeff Samardzija leaving baseball and pursuing an NFL career is year-end 2009. Any takers? I'll give you odds...

謹賀新年：抑えと「ヤンキース撲滅計画」

And so it's begun. The Red Sox Nation has started its annexation of Japan. The first salvo: a partnership between one of the most popular American Red Sox blogs, Boston Dirt Dogs and one of the most popular Japanese Red Sox blogs Go-RedSox.com. I've taken a look over at Go-RedSox.com, and quite frankly I can't make heads or tails of it. There aren't even any hilarious photos of Boras-san bombing Pearl Harbor. Apparently Japanese blogging is very different from American blogging. Go figure.

However, with the help of the amazingly accurate Google translator, I did manage to snag these gems: "Everyone, opening, you question with the [me], it is. During old year to grant the pulling raising of the lead socks support diary, thank you truly. Also this year changes and cannot increase, about patronage asks may."

I'm sure that's very profound in Japanese. I mean come on, the guy has a blog, and as we all know everyone with a blog is a profoundly gifted writer. But just when I thought that Go-RedSox.com was a dry well for us english speakers, I came across their latest post that (I think) was about Boston's search for a closer (or a bullpen towel boy, who knows?). The candidates:

Jiyonasan Paperubon
Hurian Tabaresu
Burandon Doneri
Microphone Teimurin
Kuretsugu Hansen*
Mani Derukamen*

*compared to Houston Street of the Asurechitsuko, Bobby Jienkusu of the White Socks, and Crith Ray of the Orioruzu.

"Because to in each case Mariano Ribera (Yankisu), BJ Raian (Burujieizu), the ray which then was lifted first it is in margin and a league east, it is at all hard there is no holding down."

Between this development and the WBC, I think it is safe to say that professional baseball has become an international phenomenon.