Bucketlist Bandwagon

A lot of my favorite baseball players growing up were either Rockies or from Japan. I loved Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui and how they had styles of play a bit unique to the rest of the league. And now, Shohei Ohtani is a modern day Babe Ruth and is electrifying the MLB (and based on all the ads he's in here, seems he's popular in Japan too). It's been a bucket list item to see a Japanese game, and after some confusing ticketing sites, I managed to buy a seat to the Yomiuri Giants. They play in the famed Tokyo Dome, and are the "Yankees of Japan". Well, my favorite team at home is the Rockies, so I might as well bandwagon for a team that wins for once. I made sure my tickets were for the home team, and stocked up on some gear to blend in as much as a freckled gaijin can. Before the game I went to the Baseball Hall of Fame and saw some surprising pieces like a bat from Babe Ruth, and expected pieces like equipment from Ichiro and Shohei. Next I partook in a batting cage, where my recent years of slow pitch softball proved to not translate to baseball, as I only made solid contact once. I then went into the stadium, excited to witness the famed super fan section where everyone sings different songs for every player, an actual band plays to the chants, and massive team flags are waved. But why witness when you can partake, as I apparently bought a ticket for that section. I had to catch on quick to the chants and songs to not stick out so badly (and avoid mild stares). I'd say I had 1/3 of them down pat by the end (simpler chants with player name and another word), 1/3 I could chime in for player name and at least clap correctly, and 1/3 I was just there for the ride. I started yelling immediately on the hit of a homerun through instinct, and the other fans around me celebrated too and everyone was giving fist bumps all around. Fan tribalism is funny. The away team actually has a dedicated section too, and you can't wear the opposite teams colors in either spot. Funny thing though is that there are away team merchandise booths! It's like being able to buy a Dodgers hat at Coors Field when they come to play. Very intense fans, but also accepting and respectful of the opponent. Game was a blowout 7-1, but that just made it easier to cheer along and the crowd was happy. One of my favorite moments was between innings they had a foot race with fans in the outfield (something you see at MLB games often). But they were all little kids, and were dressed as different sashimi. My money was on Tuna, but looks like Spam won (sushigate?).
Speaking of food, Japan loves coordination and you could buy a unique bento box for every player; some even with their number cutout in seaweed on top of the rice. But I went for a culinary break, perhaps even a nostalgia tinted decision, with Taco Bell. Watashi wa Taco Bell ga hoshi desu. Or in Spanish as the old ads rang, "yo quiero Taco Bell".Meer informatie