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ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
WILL BASEBALL SAVE THE AM IMAGE?
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 06:10:07 PM)
ypher Hideo Nomo led the Asian invasion in spectacular fashion when he donned Dodger blue in 1994. His outlandish corkscrew delivery may have helped draw even more media glare than was warranted by his meteoric rise and fall (and recent re-emergence) as a pitching talent. His Dodger teammate Chanho Park, who came from Corea in 1995, showed that an Asian hurler could have staying power too -- not to mention ultimately command seven-figure annual salaries.
Now the Mariners are stealing the Asian baseball spotlight with the dazzling $13 million Ichiro Suzuki. Halfway into his rookie season here, he was leading the league in hits and steals, not to mention drawing $2 million magazine offers to pose nude. His reward -- an All-Star slot along with Chanho Park. Even better, their respective teams stand an excellent chance of meeting in the World Series.
Currently six other Asian ballers -- mostly Japanese and Corean imports -- are playing in the American majors and are, for the most part, doing well. That's why scouts are now laying the groundwork for importing as many as 15 more young stars from Japan, Corea and even Taiwan in time for the 2002 season. Admittedly, even a contingent of 24 Asian ballplayers would be only 5% of a combined major league roster of about 500. But if Nomo, Park and Suzuki are any indication, they could have a significant impact on the Asian male media image.
But will the media spotlight continue to shine on Asian stars or will it burn out as the novelty fades? Is baseball really a sport that can do much for the Asian male image or will we have to wait for a few quarterbacks and tight ends or maybe centers and power forwards? Or is sports just not up on a par with TV and the movies as a studmaker?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
Southpaw:
I have to admit as an avid baseball fan (LA Dodger fan), I've been quite disappointed with Chan Ho Park's lack of mental toughness in regular season games. He is without a doubt a talented major league pitcher. He just seems to flake out when he's in a jam and you can never tell what type of game he's going to pitch when he gets on the mound.
It was my hope that some past LA pitching stars would work with him and help me to mature to the point where can measure up to other baseball greats (Orel Hershiser, Sandy Koufax, etc.) It just seems like he was never fully taught the fundamentals of baseball psyche. It really frustrating and I have a love/hate feeling about him.
Maybe, he'll get his act together next season and be a star. There's still time for him.
Geof DB
geofdb67@aol.com
Sunday, November 11, 2001 at 16:48:58 (PST)
Is it true that the Japanese home run king is of half Chinese (Taiwanese)descent? They say his father was from Taiwan and with the last name Wang (Oh in Japanese)?
aabb
Monday, October 08, 2001 at 20:48:17 (PDT)
hope we get more and more freakin big and tall chinese basketballers to U.S.!!!
asians actually have great potential of body growth, but a lot of us choose to ignore it, and spend all our energy in books.
eat more!
play sports like crazy!
wear short pants!!!
don"t wear underwear!! please!
dan
Sunday, September 23, 2001 at 00:52:03 (PDT)
Chan Ho Park is a complete waste of talent. He lacks the mental makeup required of an ace, and despite his enormous physical gifts, I doubt he'll ever be more than a slightly above average pitcher.
Suzuki, on the other hand is a genuine star. He can do everything except hit for power, which is no big deal for a lead off guy. Plus, he exudes confidence bordering on cockiness, unlike Park.
southpaw
Wednesday, September 19, 2001 at 00:54:51 (PDT)
They need to have a show on American MTV that show Kpop music videos. Now that will save the asian male image and then some (Not to mention make other guys drool even more at Asian women).
iamright
Sunday, September 16, 2001 at 18:20:31 (PDT)
To Pro-Asian,
Seattle is nice, but being a New Yorker myself, I have to say Seattle doesn't match up to NY when it comes to Sports especially Baseball. I think Starbucks, the coffee aromas, Microsoft, Amazon.Com and Frasier are more like the talk of the town in Seattle than Baseball. Our NY teams always get the attention whether you like it or not. You have to undestand that Ichiro is a one time stardom. Once the Mariners are dstroyed by our Rotten Apple Yankees this October, Ichiro will go home and will never return. So much for all the hype and the Mariners Bandwagon jumping. Hahahaha....and by the way, I realized that many mediocre looking Asians (especially the Asian Dudes)reside in Seattle. Well, Good Luck to all you Seattlelites out there!
Only handsome asians belong in NYC
Monday, September 10, 2001 at 16:49:49 (PDT)
Everybody's talking about Ichiro! He's a REAL Asian man, born and raised in Japan. He's married to an Asian woman too. AND He doesn't kiss ass to the White folks just to fit in American society (unlike some low class Asian Americans here.) Ichiro is the man in Seattle! And Gary Locke is our Asian governor in Washington state, and he's a REAL Asian man too. Yes, Seattle is Asian friendly!!! More power to the Asians in Seattle!!
Pro-Asian
Saturday, September 08, 2001 at 19:16:08 (PDT)
Thanx abc girl.
As long as cool Asian women like you know, that is all that matters.
Asian Azz kicker
Saturday, September 08, 2001 at 16:12:20 (PDT)
i think ichiro is close to 6 ft. he looked about an inch or two taller than brett boone, who is 5'10 when they posed for some baseball magazine. he's such a great athlete, i think he does more for the asian image than say 6'4 260 lb hideki irabu.
ck
Friday, September 07, 2001 at 17:53:20 (PDT)
I agree, Shinjo's the man. However, he doesn't get any exposure cuz the Mets suck @ss this year! Shinjo needs to develop his OBP before he becomes an everyday part of the line-up. However, his clutch hits have won the mets like 10 games.
Bruce Chen ain't bad either. He has more chance of developing into a consistent starting pitcher with the mets, unlike his earliers stints with Braves and Phillies.
All in all, NYC is the place to be. All sports guys should consider NYC before any of the other faceless cities.
Hi-Heat in NYC
Friday, September 07, 2001 at 09:34:37 (PDT)
Park and Ichiro look better than Shinjo. Take a look at them without thier caps.
bedlam
Thursday, September 06, 2001 at 14:47:10 (PDT)
Why is Tsuyoshi Shinjo of the NY Mets so unheard of to many Asian Americans? He has really made big contribution to the Mets Team and is a big name in NYC when it comes to baseball. Why does everyone talk about Ichiro, Park and Nomo? Besides, Shinjo looks way better than these guys. Fortunately, the other asian dudes aren't in our NY teams because they don't look all that handsome.
Only handsome asians belong in NYC
Tuesday, September 04, 2001 at 16:57:41 (PDT)
It doesnt necessary help to upgrade asian male image on TV screen or other medium. Ichiro is indeed a sensation rookie. He is booked for the rookie of the year and maybe runner for American League MVP. He is not a power hitter. He is called "slap" hitter with little power. He is smallish for professional athlete(5'10). In general stereotyping, he is just a typical little genius asian who can do smart things every now and then....
*Park came to US in 1993 before Nomo came to the Major League with his tsunami pitching.
Baseball Fan
Monday, September 03, 2001 at 18:20:35 (PDT)
No question the asian-ball players are buff dudes. they got the faces that show it.
aintnothang
Sunday, September 02, 2001 at 14:10:05 (PDT)
Well, I dunno about the highest echelons of sports, but I am a 100% Korean male, and I'm 5'8". I think I can compete with the best non-professional atheletes. I have a vertical of 38 inches, and I can dunk a basketball with two hands. I can squat 450 pounds, and bench 225 (for those who know, thats two 'plates' on each side). I weigh 155. I have a slim build, but I'm packed with muscles within my slender frame. I routinely shut down 6-foot-plus players on the basketball court. If I were 6'3 or taller, I'd say that I have a legitamate shot at the NBA. Too bad I'm not.
Natural Athelete.
Friday, August 31, 2001 at 14:48:34 (PDT)
I don't think that Asian star athletes will change much of anything. The majority of non-Asian people probably feel like these athletes are exceptions to what the "typical" Asian male is.
People just need to realize Asian guys rock. That's all there is to it...
abc girl
Friday, August 31, 2001 at 10:32:07 (PDT)
to the hard and dumbo corean,
FYI Bruce Chen is a graduate of Georgia Tech with a engineering degree. Prior to that he was educated in Panama. Why do you think he was intially with the Atlanta Braves? UCLA? Why does every freaking Asian needs to belong a UC system school? Is Cali where all the Asians need to be schooled?
Damn! Being Ignorant sucks!
get ur facts straighten out before u speak
Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 12:21:39 (PDT)
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