Sox to open '08 season in Japan

[Beckett95]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvQXt0Eu5MrGRhMJvwf7Xvk5nYcB?slug=ap-redsox-athleticsjapan&prov=ap&type=lgns

[BoSox21]

lame

[BSN07]

I posted this in General Baseball talk,

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/11/14/its_official_red_sox_to_open_title_defense_in_japan/

 

They will have like 5 days off after two game series, which will help them when they get back here to adjust.

[mtbykr]

Shill spoke about it this morning on D&C, he didn't sound too exited. He also mentioned that DiceK's wife is expecting a child around that time so he probably wouldn't even be on the trip.

[TedWilliams101]

Why!!! I can't stand this. Keep baseball in the US. If the Japanese want to watch live American baseball, make them come to America. The same goes for football. This is getting ridiculous.

[TheKilo]

Why!!! I can't stand this. Keep baseball in the US. If the Japanese want to watch live American baseball' date=' make them come to America. The same goes for football. This is getting ridiculous.[/quote']

 

Wow you're a f***ing idiot.

[rician blast]

Why!!!

 

$$$$$$$$$$$...that's why.

[BoSox21]

I guess the positive side is that the Sox won't be the official home team so no games at Fenway will be lost. Even though I imagine most of the people in attendance will be rooting for the Sox

[Thumper]

Why!!! I can't stand this. Keep baseball in the US. If the Japanese want to watch live American baseball' date=' make them come to America. The same goes for football. This is getting ridiculous.[/quote']

 

As TheKilo said, you're a f***ing idiot.

[TheKilo]

Really, who cares that they are doing this? Not really a big deal.

[mtbykr]

Tough road: Japan, Oakland, Toronto. Holy jet-lag batman!

[Cocos Disciples]

5 days off after should be more than sufficient though. Go for it.

[mtbykr]

5 days off after should be more than sufficient though. Go for it.

 

Papi talked about it (heard on WEEI) and said he did a trip like this once before with an "all-star team" and he said it took him 2 weeks to feel somewhat back to normal. At least it's at the beginning of the season and not the end!

[CrespoBlows]

Papi talked about it (heard on WEEI) and said he did a trip like this once before with an "all-star team" and he said it took him 2 weeks to feel somewhat back to normal. At least it's at the beginning of the season and not the end!

 

Yeah! I agree! Papi plays 1B!

 

Patriots were robbed! Can't stop greatness!

[Rdsxmbnt]

Hasn't this been known for a really long time?

[Thumper]

Really' date=' who cares that they are doing this? Not really a big deal.[/quote']

 

I actually find it quite interesting. It's a good way to promote the sport. Not that any promoting is needed in Japan, but it would give the kids over there a chance to see actual U.S. star players play. But soon enough the MLB will be going more places than Japan, hopefully all over the world, and not just to show off teams, but it would be nice to have teams in other countries than Canada and the U.S.

[TheKilo]

Hasn't this been known for a really long time?

 

Just recently confirmed.

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah! I agree! Papi plays 1B!

 

Patriots were robbed! Can't stop greatness!

 

[VA Sox Fan]

This Japan s*** sucks.......I went to Spring Training in 2004, 2006 & 2007, wasn't planning on going in 2008, but my brother was going to take his family the week of the 17th.

 

From an article in the Globe today by Nick Cafardo:

 

The season-opening Japan trip doesn't do much for them from a competitive viewpoint. In fact, it really hurts.

 

The Sox will be playing exhibition games in Tokyo against the Oakland A's March 22-23. Then there's a workout day and the regular season will begin in Tokyo against Oakland March 25-26. This basically means the Sox will be leaving Fort Myers, Fla., March 19 for good. This is during the peak time of spring training, when pitchers are beginning to come into their own; when GMs like Epstein are trying to fit the final pieces of their teams together; and when player evaluations are key. In addition, players will have to gear up for meaningful games more than a week before they normally would.

 

The Yankees went through a horrific experience in 2004 when fatigue and the residual effects from their Japan trip contributed to their 10-11 start, though they rebounded to win 101 games and the American League East