By Chuck Richter - AngelsWin.com Executive Editor
AngelsWin.com was recently contacted by one of the best known editors and sports writers in the industry, Wayne Graczyk, to talk about Hideki Matsui; what are Angels saying about the acquisition and how do we predict he'll do in his first season with the Angels after spending seven seasons with the New York Yankees?
Graczyk is the compiler & editor of the annual Japan Pro Baseball Fan Handbook and Media Guide, now in its 35th year. Graczyk, who has lived in Japan for 40 years and served as a Sports Editor of the widely read Tokyo Weekender for 27 of them, now has a popular baseball column in the Japan Times and is a frequent contributor to JapanBall.com, operated by Bob Bavasi, a baseball executive and son of the late Buzzie Bavasi, who was general manager of the Angels and Dodgers.
Graczyk also covers Japan for Baseball America, Major League Baseball and JapanBall.com. For years he was a TV broadcaster for the Tokyo Giants, continuing to cover the ball club now as a reporter.
After the conclusion of our interview, which will be published in the Japan Times this weekend, Graczyk kindly offered to mail me his Japan Pro Baseball Media Guide, which I received yesterday. I'm halfway through the guide and I have to tell you, it's a great resource to have as a baseball fan — one that I believe everyone should own. You can pick one up on his Website HERE for just $16.95.
Here are some more details on the guide. It is the only media guide for Japanese professional baseball in English that is endorsed by the Commissioner's Office, the Central and Pacific Leagues and the Japan Pro Baseball Players Union.
This comprehensive reference guide includes the following essential information:
* League Directories
* Team Directories
* Minor League Information.
* Schedules
* Full Rosters
* Player photos
* Detailed stadium information
* In-depth statistics
* Foreign player profiles
* and much more.
One thing is for certain, well at least in 2010: The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will no longer dominate Japanese television. Graczyk noted that American League West Baseball would take over as the most watched two teams in Japan with the likes of Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki and new Angel Matsui — who will face each other 19 times in 2010. So, Angels fans, be proud, cheer loud and wear red instead. The Japanese Baseball fans are watching.
Look for more from Wayne Graczyk and me over the course of the 2010 season with regards to Matsui, Angels Baseball and how the fans are digging the Japanese star.
For the sake of review: AngelsWin.com members and Angels fans on the Internet, order your copy of the Japan Pro Baseball Media Guide by Wayne Graczyk today and look for the voice of Angels fans,
AngelsWin.com, in the Japan Times this weekend.
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