“Jimmy James: Live at Budokan”

Well here we go. Orioles bouncing back Saturday night and throttle the Tampa Bay Rays to creep into first place in the AL East. Then today. Today they come back and win in extra innings extending said lead in the AL East. They are a fun bunch.

I have yet to watch a game all year.

My nephew says he’s getting tickets to the post season. With these wins, the Orioles made it to the post season. If they can eek out the pennant, it will be something amazing. We’ve got about two weeks left of the season to find out.

Let’s go, O’s!

Link of the Day [6.04.23]

Save Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium.

My favorite idol group, Nogizaka46, call it home. Every year on their summer tour since 2014, they’ve had a show there. There have been many memorable happenings at these lives. Ikuta flown in on a copter. Fourth Year Birth Day Live’s rain. 2016’s Synchronicity dual stadium shows. Graduations. Falls. Rain. Rain. Rain.

One day, I would love to see my beloved Nogizaka at Jingu.

If it is possible.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Showcasing-Japanese-baseball-requires-saving-Meiji-Jingu-stadium

Kubo Leads Samurai Japan

I’d like to think that it was Nogizaka46 and Kubo Shiori who kicked started Team Japan to a WBC win. Like I imagine that we should be getting memes of Kubo striking out Mike Trout. Come on internet. Don’t let me down.

Anyhow, I was rooting for Team Japan because my favorite idols were cheering them on.

“Dave, please, I don’t think now’s the best time to regale you with stories of my world famous root beer jacuzzi.”

Because the first post of September didn’t follow the rules for News Radio Quote Month, then the first post of the next month, which should’ve been the last post of last month, will be last News Radio quote you’ll get until next year! It’s my blog so these are my rules which I don’t follow.

Anyhow, let’s enjoy idols going to watch baseball games. Here’s Hazuki and Yuna-chan watching a Chiba Lottte Marines game versus Seibu Lions from Saitama. I will enjoy it a lot.

Mai Channel

Although she’s all but graduated, Shiriaishi Mai has started a YouTube channel!

Hooray!

Her first video was a livestream last Thursday on her birthday. It was filled with lots of technical difficulties. Also, I didn’t understand anything considering that it was all in Japanese. I did sing along as we sang her a happy birthday.

This is her first video, and it’s well produced. Almost like the Nogizaka management spent some time and money into making this video. It definitely isn’t all in her hands. I hope this continues.

Maiyan was a softball player in middle school. She bats left and throws right. We are treated to ponytail Maiyan and sweaty Maiyan. She’s still beautiful though. I wonder if she practiced a bit more would she have been making better contact. I laughed when she was supposed to hit the 110 kmh pitch, but found out the setting was for 130 kmh. Fast! Too fast!

Anyhow, it’s a cute video. You should smash the like button and subscribe. You know I am.

The New Oriole Way

Friday night I buy Pico Iyer’s Autumn Light. Imagine my surprise to see that I already had it unread on the stack of books on my table.

Saturday I receive a message from my good buddy mentioning that the Baltimore Orioles minor league system has been ranked number 8 by baseball writers.

Sunday I exchange Autumn Light for Astroball: The New Way to Win It All by Ben Reiter.

I mentioned that the one metric to judge the Baltimore Orioles baseball organization is by how their minor league ranks amongst the baseball pundits. If they can be ranked at least 7th for 5 or 6 years, then they may be heading in the right direction. As for now, 8th is a nice one. Let’s hope it adds up.

Suzuki No. 1

My favorite baseball player not an Oriole, Ichiro Suzuki, has retired.

I am gonna miss that guy.

The only jersey I still wear if I wasn’t fat. I would’ve done it today. And I almost did because I knew the Mariners were playing in Japan. But fat.

So glad that I have seen him play.

ありがと、鈴木さん。