The Slanch Report

Fresh off the first championship in World Baseball Classic history, Japan is ready to come back and dominate once more. To that end, the team’s officials have named the team “Samurai Japan,” Ryozo Kato, the commissioner of Japanese professional baseball said “It’s a name that we know our fans will appreciate.” The team, expected to comprise current MLB stars like Ichiro and Daisuke Matsuzaka as well as Japanese league stars should contend for the title once more. I would expect nothing less from a team with a fiery personality like Ichiro on board. Anyone who says things like “I hope he [Matsuzaka] arouses the fire that’s dormant in the innermost recesses of my soul,” as Ichiro did during the season is an OK leader in my book. Also, when you can have someone who can unleash a stream of obscene invectives as your captain, you’re in good shape.

[International Herald Tribune]