I will say this to you, Kazuhisa Ishii: You're going to be nothing but Dodger blue. Just like that. No trace of you. Gone for good. Magic. To the House of Dodger Blue.
Blasphemy! you say.
I say take a look at yourself. Is your left arm, the same arm that cost the Dodgers $12.3 million for four years to own, hinting a shade of blue? I bet it is ... but do not be afraid. When that time comes, when blue is all you'll be, it will be nirvana.
Perhaps I can offer some solace: You will not be alone. Sandy Koufax and Tommy Lasorda are there. So is Don Drysdale. Remember Duke Snider? He's there too. So don't worry, you guys can play catch with each other and talk Dodger baseball for eternity!
Tommy? you ask. Why is he there?
Well, he does a lot of work around the House of Dodger Blue. He likes to eat a lot of pasta too. So naturally, he's a good cook.
I know you can't help it. By chance, through the work of your maker, you are saddled with this situation. You were born with that titanium left arm, making major-league hitters look foolish. You'll be more challenged up here, at the House of Dodger Blue, where your legend can flourish. Trust me.
Hold on there, Kazuhisa. Don't pack your bags yet. You'll have a few more years down here. Meantime, why don't you work on some stuff, like your pitch count and walks. Beware that you must pass strict guidelines before you can pass through the gates of the House. But the way you've been chucking the ball lately, I foresee no problems.
Let's see ... I understand you recently won your 10th game of the season, becoming the first Dodger pitcher since Doug Rau in 1977 to start 10-1. Hmmm ... the 10 victories are second in the National League behind Arizona's Curt Schilling. Also, it appears you have more wins than Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux. Very interesting ... those are two future Hall of Famers, you know.
Your earned run average appears respectable as well. At 3.15, it's up there among league leaders. And you struck out 73 men, seventh in the league. Very impressive, Kazuhisa.
But ... hold on a second ... let me get my red notebook here. Yes, yes, I see ... here are the problems I've mentioned. Because of your high pitch counts, you have never pitched a complete game or even completed eight innings in an outing. That's a shame. Your pitch counts, which have been over 100 in seven of your starts, appear to be tiresome. Sandy Koufax may give you a cold shoulder for that.
But I do have a solution: Throw more strikes. Loosen up out there, and don't always try to make the perfect pitch. According to my records, you are fourth in the National League in walks with 46. Compared to 73 strikeouts, that is not even a 2-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
You must also increase your stamina. It appears you have never pitched 200 innings in a season in your 10-year career in Japan. Endurance is respected in the House of Dodger Blue.
I know, I know, you say you have been a little nervous. After all, you came to a new country. This definitely isn't the Yakult Swallows anymore, right? But I heard you say after your performance on June 8, in which you allowed four runs and struck out four in 6 1/3 innings for the win, that you have finally regained the confidence you had in Japan.
Very appealing.
Should I expect more from you, Kazuhisa? I know the rest of the baseball world has been shocked at your performance so far. But if you can tidy up your game a bit - you know, the walks, pitch count, stamina - I would be foolish to not expect more.
Just don't fall into the rut your friend and teammate Hideo Nomo succumbed to. I expected great things from him as well, and even thought about offering him a place in the House of Dodger Blue. But you already know what happened to him. Arm troubles. Deflated confidence. A splitter that didn't split.
Take a peek at his numbers: He averaged 14 wins in his first three seasons, nine wins in his next four. Nomo's career record is a shade above .500. Not House of Dodger Blue material.
Listen to me, Kazuhisa: You must learn from the past. And you must work, work, work. You are not a flash in the pan.
If you do, yes, in the year 2013, after you pitch your final major-league game, you will have a seat at our table in the House of Dodger Blue.
I will be waiting anxiously. Hope you are as well.
» Ethen Lieser is a sportswriter for AsianWeek magazine in San Francisco.
Also by Ethen Lieser
» No Sophomore Jinx For Suzuki
» More submissions
Posted June 18, 2002.
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