JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
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- FT English Teachers for Kids - Osaka
- Kohgakusha Co., Ltd. （株式会社興学社）, Osaka
- Salary: ¥255,000 ~ ¥275,000 / Month Travel Expenses, Encouragement of Japanese learning*
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- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
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Hotbox08
You bet I would. But unfortunately, I was born short of stature and realized that no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn't be more than a varsity second-string player. I love the game, but had enough smarts that I couldn't make a living of it. Now I am just happy coaching youngsters. As for lifting weights? I loved it. I spent six days a week in the gym, for about two hours a day. One day upper body, one day lower, and repeating it every other day. Nothing can match the feeling after a good workout and a shower after that. It is no different than a police officer, firefighter, doctor, teacher, etc. who like the job they are doing. Yes, there may be baseball players who don't like what they do, like there are workers of other occupations who don't, but there are so many out there who do like their job. And when they do like it, the hard work they put into it doesn't seem so hard after all.
That's pretty low. I guess you haven't played team sports, have you? Yes, your teammates may smell like animals after a long, hard game (tell me about it), but they are still humans and your teammates, after all. Most of the guys I played with; I would go to war for them and would never trade them for anybody.
Posted in: Phillies finish off Rays to win World Series
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Hotbox08
And in this final push to Election Day, leave it to the Republicans to bring out the dirty tricks:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/dirty_tricks
"Complaints have surfaced in predominantly African-American neighborhoods of Philadelphia where fliers have circulated, warning voters they could be arrested at the polls if they had unpaid parking tickets or if they had criminal convictions."
"In New Mexico, two Hispanic women filed a lawsuit last week claiming they were harassed by a private investigator working for a Republican lawyer who came to their homes and threatened to call immigration authorities, even though they are U.S. citizens."
"The White House contest of 2004 was marked by similar deceptions. In Milwaukee, fliers went up advising people "if you've already voted in any election this year, you can't vote in the presidential election." In Pennsylvania, a letter bearing what appeared to be the McCandless Township seal falsely proclaimed that in order to cut long voting lines, Republicans would cast ballots on Nov. 2 and Democrats would vote on Nov. 3."
Sad, very sad.
Posted in: McCain, Obama make final push for votes
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Hotbox08
Yeah, you're probably right.
I'm sure the Rays will bounce back too. All in all, they had a terrific season and I'm looking forward to what they have in store next season.
Posted in: Phillies finish off Rays to win World Series
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Hotbox08
I would like to wish the happy couple the best of luck.
Posted in: Yu Darvish, Saeko to have formal wedding in December
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Hotbox08
helloklitty:
Wrong. Didn't you hear about the 17.5 million dollar, six-year contract he signed in April of this year? He's guaranteed $500,000 dollars this year, which will incrementally rise over the following years. Thus, he would average approximately 2.9 million a year. So yes, I'd call that big bucks. I don't know about you, but I'd be happy to get paid that much.
Good point helloklitty. Which is why everyone shouldn't harp on Iwamura, just because he made a couple of errors in his first postseason, and in fact only in his second season in the majors. And if you think it's about the age, then think this; Carlos Pena is the same age as Iwamura and has been in the majors longer. Yet Pena also didn't have a great series at the plate and with his defense. I'm just pointing out that you can't pin the failure of not winning the World Series on one player. Now wouldn't you agree with that?
And since we are on the topic of baseball, here's an interesting fact: DiceK Matsuzaka has more postseason RBIs (2) in the two years he has been in the majors, than Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees has had in the past three postseasons (2005-2007, 13 games played in, and 44 at bats). DiceK is a pitcher, and Rodriguez plays third base and is paid for his hitting. In fact, DiceK has gone 1-3 hitting in the postseason, compared to Alex's 7-44. How do you figure that?
Posted in: Phillies finish off Rays to win World Series
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Hotbox08
While you are at it, you should also mention Evan Longoria's falling apart in the World Series, which cost his team some runs. I mean 1-17, one measly hit is not what you should expect from someone getting paid the big bucks. Or how about, "Bossman Junior" Upton, who also failed at the plate?
Sounds like you are jealous. Why did you only single out Taguchi? You're telling me that he was the only Philly bench player on the 40-man active roster not to make a contribution in this series? How about catcher Chris Coste who had just four at bats with 0 hits? And I've only mentioned the 25-man active roster. It's not limited to that. Others who weren't even on the bench will get their rings too. I mean, Tom "Flash" Gordon will get one; and he's been on the disabled list since July! Very disappointing indeed!
Didn't you know that way back in 2004, Nomar Garciappara got one, even though he was traded mid-season to the Cubs?
Posted in: Phillies finish off Rays to win World Series
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Hotbox08
JohnBecker: Actually, the Phillies played just better enough to win. At first glance, 4 games to 1 seems like a blowout, but looking at each game individually, other than Game 4, each one was decided by two runs or less. In fact, according to an AP report on the game:
"Even so, the gap between the Phils and Rays wasn’t enormous. Had Evan Longoria’s late, long drive off Jamie Moyer in Game 3 not been blown back by the wind, the teams might still be playing."
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap;_ylt=AjTdRADWhudGGfKqfZnoGfIq0bYF?gid=281027122
some14some: It wasn't only Iwamura's "unique glove performance" that delivered it to the Phillies. You could also say that the "unique glove performances of Navarro and Longoria, who both had key errors that led to runs for the Phillies delivered this series to the Phillies too.
In fact, Tampa could have won Game 3, if Balfour had not thrown a wild pitch in Game 3. Yes, Iwamura's glove work might have cost them Game 4 (which was actually out of hand in the first place), but Navarro and Balfour cost them Game 3, and Upton's, Pena's, and Longoria's (the no. 2,3,and 4 hitters respectively) silent bats in Game 1 cost them that game. Not to mention, a few key stops at third base that Longoria should have gotten easily, but didn't. Those hits went rolling through the gap between third base and Longoria, just along the foul line. They weren't judged to be errors, but should have been nabbed by anyone who is playing on the grand stage like the World Series.
Overall, you could say the whole Rays' glove work was shoddy. But, in my opinion, it seems that the Phillies just played better, and ended up having players like Lidge, Moyer, and Romero, who have postseason experience.
And let's not forget that these Phillies have learned from last year's postseason debacle, in which they were unceremoniously swept by the Rockies. These Rays will learn too.
Posted in: Phillies finish off Rays to win World Series
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Hotbox08
Iwamura 4-18, 1 RBI Upton 5-20, 1 RBI Pena 1-17, 2 RBI Longoria 1-20, 2 RBI Bartlett 3-14, 2 RBI Crawford 5-19, 2 RBI Navarro 6-17, 0 RBI Baldelli 1-6, 1 RBI
The whole Rays lineup sucked. But it seems to be two side of the coin here. JT (aka AP) will praise DiceK and Ichiro (not much attention to Iwamura, until the postseason), and then there are posters out there who fail to say anything at all, UNTIL a J-player does bad. Where is the fairness in that? Like I've done in my posts. I condemn the J-players when they are bad, but praise them when they do good. And not only the Japanese or Dominicans but all players.
For instance, Longoria (aka "The Chosen One" as Tampa fanatics will call him) had an excellent series against the Sox, but failed miserably (with only one hit) against Philly. Iwamura too, had a great series against Chicago in the postseason, a decent outing against Boston, but could only get on base six times against the Phillies. Fair is fair. You praise them when they do good; and you bash them when they do bad.
Nonetheless, Tampa had a fine season, and have no reason to feel ashamed of themselves. There are a ton of other teams in the majors that should feel much more ashamed of themselves, having high payrolls with nothing to show for it. The Cubs especially should be humiliated after having bragged that they would wow the world, but ended up being swept away like "flies" by the LA Dodgers. Then there is the Yanks that didn't even make the playoffs, even though they spend more money than any other team, and all that hype about their own "chosen one" called Joba, who by the way was caught drunk driving. Talk about a so called franchise player. Then there is the Milwaukee Brewers who were huffing and puffing about their acquisition in the form of C.C. "good in the regular season, but sucks in the postseason" Sabathia. When was the last time he won a game in the postseason?
Posted in: Phillies finish off Rays to win World Series
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Hotbox08
hellokitty. It seems that there won't be any riots, since in my opinion, this was a well-played and clean series. Yes, I agree with you that the conditions were not good, but the Phillies just played a little better than the Rays did and thus was the outcome. Why can't you just accept that? Both teams will be back next year, and it would be good to see them again in the World Series. Kudos to both and good luck to you too.
Posted in: Phillies finish off Rays to win World Series
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Hotbox08
Congrats to the Phillies. Both teams played hard, but in the end Philly was too much. Their bats, good pitching and experience did the young and inexperienced Rays in the end. Every game except Game four was close, but overall, the Phillies played a bit better. The future looks bright though, for Tampa. With a starting pitching staff, whose oldest player is only 26, they have a great chance of getting back to the big stage. At times, I was a bit frustrated because the Rays were too loose. They didn't seem to play with the urgency and fire that Philly was playing. Even after they lost Game one, they were all laughing and having fun in their own clubhouse. Well, I'm sure that will change come next year.
Anyway, congrats to both teams: To Philly being the best team in baseball, and to Tampa Bay for having a great one-season turnaround with one of the lowest payroll in the Majors.
Posted in: Phillies finish off Rays to win World Series
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Hotbox08
Congrats to the Phillies. Both teams played hard, but in the end Philly was too much. Their bats, good pitching and experience did the young and inexperienced Rays in the end. Every game except Game four was close, but overall, the Phillies played a bit better. The future looks bright though, for Tampa. With a starting pitching staff, whose oldest player is only 26, they have a great chance of getting back to the big stage. At times, I was a bit frustrated because the Rays were too loose. They didn't seem to play with the urgency and fire that Philly was playing. Even after they lost Game one, they were all laughing and having fun in their own clubhouse. Well, I'm sure that will change come next year.
Anyway, congrats to both teams: To Philly being the best team in baseball, and to Tampa Bay for having a great one-season turnaround with one of the lowest payroll in the Majors.
Posted in: Phillies, Rays to resume World Series on Wednesday
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Hotbox08
Then I feel sorry for you ptolemy. It seems like the Cubs will never get it together, even though they have one of the biggest payrolls in the Majors. Oh, and please read my post again. I am agreeing with you in my post, but also disagreeing with posters like boobug, who are merely fairweather "fans" who like to say bad things about others, but never giving compliments when they are due.
Posted in: Phillies beat Rays 10-2 to take 3-1 Series lead
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Hotbox08
Again, spoken like someone who knows diddly about baseball. O-8? So is the rest of his team. Baseball is a team game, and teammates don't harp on each other when one of their own has a bad game or two. Heck, in Game One, Akinok was the only one getting the hits, while the rest of his teammates were hitting air, but he never berated them or looked down on them. That's a true teammate. Yes, Iwamura has been terrible the past two games, but posters like you only post to berate, but never to compliment when they do good. Bandwagoners are not welcome here. I, on the other hand will give credit when it's due and condemn when it's due.
And I should remind everyone that this is the Rays' first time in the postseason, much less the World Series. I mean, c'mon, it took them less time to make it to the big stage than say the drought that teams like the Cubs or Indians are in. They are a young team, in the World Series for the first time in their franchise's history, and without the payroll that other teams have. I tip my hat to them for fielding a team that has no true star, who plays defense, and does all the little things to win all season, when not very many of their own fans came out to even watch them. And besides, we have to acknowledge that Philly is a good team. To say that one player is killing them is a disservice to their opponent.
Yes, Tampa Bay is not doing well, but you can't single one player for this. It is the whole TEAM. And besides, Iwamura makes the least amount of money among his infieldmates, so the burden is not on him.
But go ahead, belittle the losers to take away any credit which is due to the winners. I for one would like to say good to Philly for playing a good game, but also good on Tampa for getting this far, in a season where everyone picked them to place last in the AL.
Posted in: Phillies beat Rays 10-2 to take 3-1 Series lead
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Hotbox08
JohnBecker,
Yeah, the Ray's hopes are miniscule at best. But I'm not giving up on them yet. A lot of their players have just been shutdown by good Phillies pitching and opportunistic baserunning, but I would go to war with any of these guys. The Ray's have shown a lot of guts to just make it this far, after having the worst record last year. Just making the playoffs was their goal, and anything they do now is just icing on the cake. It is good though to see a guy like Crawford getting his licks, since he is one of the few that has been through the good and the bad.
Oh well, good job by Philly, but good job too by Tampa.
Posted in: Phillies beat Rays 10-2 to take 3-1 Series lead
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Hotbox08
You are correct, that Iwamura didn't play well at all today. In fact, he played sh**. However, your previous post only mentioned Iwamura's terrible day. I am just being fair. If you read all my posts about the Rays, I like to give condemnation when it's due, but also like to give credit when it's due. Sure, there are those out there that only like to mention Iwamura and other J-players when they do good. Yet, there are posts like yours that only mention J-players when they do bad. IMHO, it's much fairer to do both. Today, I condemn Iwamura, but I also commended him in my post about him in Game 1, since he did hit very well, 3-4 with an RBI, with errorless play at second. Did you do the same?
Please read this article again. I fail to see anywhere where they have glossed over Iwamura's terrible play today.
Posted in: Phillies beat Rays 10-2 to take 3-1 Series lead
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Hotbox08
>
Short summary of big story : Iwamura's two costly errors (bottom of 3rd and 4th innings)combined with his 0-4 at bat
You forgot to mention Longoria's 0-4 at bat and .000 BA in this series. Also, Pena's 0-4 at bat and .000 BA in this series. Not to mention Bartlett's measly .182 BA in this series and 0-4 at bat today. All in all it was a tough day for the Rays. So I guess you are saying that Maddon is regretting benching Longoria, Pena, and Bartlett too. The Rays still have a shot though. Go Rays!
Posted in: Phillies beat Rays 10-2 to take 3-1 Series lead
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Hotbox08
Wow! This just in:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081026/aponelpr/palinpipeline
According to AP:
"Gov. Sarah Palin's signature accomplishment — a contract to build a 1,715-mile pipeline to bring natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48 — emerged from a flawed bidding process that narrowed the field to a company with ties to her administration, an Associated Press investigation shows."
"Despite Palin's boast of a smart and fair bidding process, the AP found that her team crafted terms that favored only a few independent pipeline companies and ultimately benefited the winner, TransCanada Corp."
Sneaky Palin. And to think that there are Americans out there that actually want this kind of person in office.
Posted in: Obama, McCain roll through western swing states
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Hotbox08
Good job Rays! Happy to see the bats come to life, after seeing only five hits in Game One. Great pitching by Shields. Someone finally drove in Aki, after he worked a walk. I loved the attempted suicide and eventual safety by Bartlett and Floyd. Now go into Philly and get 'em Rays!
Posted in: Rays squeeze Phillies to tie World Series
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Hotbox08
And to add, Iwamura did drive in a run, which is one more run than 7 other of his teammates did in this game.
Posted in: Hamels, Utley lead Phillies over Rays in opener
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Hotbox08
Clearly from a guy who doesn't understand the game of baseball. If you cared to watch the game, Iwamura got a double in the fifth inning. A "slap-hitter" as you so eloquently put it, hits singles, NOT doubles. Plus, Iwamura hits in the leadoff spot, whose primary job is to get on base, which he did. It's not his fault the rest of his teammates couldn't get even one hit to move him over, or bring him home. In fact, B.J. Upton grounded into two double plays when Aki was on base thus nullifying any scoring chance Aki had. If Aki had hit behind Upton, while Upton was on base, at least you would know that Aki would never have gotten a GIDP. GIDPs are the worst thing to do when you have a man on base. Aki's two singles and double were clean ones and thus would have moved any guy on base over at least one base, rather than gotten the baserunner out.
Only a selfish player would try to swing at every pitch in order to try for a homerun. That is why free-hitters who tend to get a lot of homeruns, also tend to be the ones who lead in strikeouts.
Overall, the Phillies won because they were very aggressive on the basepaths, and benefitted from good pitching from Hamels.
Posted in: Hamels, Utley lead Phillies over Rays in opener