We didn’t want to take a chance on the Tokyo Nomuri Giants being sold out, so we decided to see Tokyo’s other home team, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Jingu Stadium. It was an outdoor stadium, and contrary to what we’d heard, we were able to walk up easily and purchase tickets (to be honest, we got the sense watching them that they were not exactly the best team in town.) We were given the chance of sitting on the home team side or the visitor side, which seemed curious to us. At first we regretted choosing the home team, because the Seibu Lions scored first and their side was louder, stronger, and seemed much more fun than our sedate, sad-sack Swallows (the quite anemic team cheer: GO, GO, SWALLOWS!!!!!!!) That is until the lone American, Jamie D’Antona strode to the plate. Free swinging Americans that can’t lay off the breaking stuff in the Big Leagues find their way to Japan, where they tend to hit a lot of homeruns, and we happened to catch D’Antona on a day where he couldn’t miss. He tied the game with a single-run homer, and the crowd came alive, umbrellas raised in defiance of the rain gods, in joy for their beloved and mighty Swallows. Still, things looked bleak, down 4-1 in the bottom of the eighth, when once again our lone American gunslinger took the batters box, and then the crowds’ hearts by storm. D’Antona blasted a three-run shot that tied the game and had umbrellas pumped in excitement. Already THREE hours long, the game was destined for extra innings. With men on third and second base, and the Swallows’ most popular player, Aoki, up to bat, the cowardly Lions walked him (much to the fans’ chagrin.) But fear not, for a third time, our fellow gaijin came to the plate, this time with the bases loaded. He poked a single through the left side of the infield for the game-winning RBI. Final Score: Gaijin 5, Swallows 0, Lions 4.
An amusing side note: an ex-A’s player, Aaron Guiel was another foreigner on the team. Guiel is from Canada, and the Swallows fans had Canadian flags and joyfully sang “Oh Canada” to support him.
Tepid Fan Pic. The Japanese fans take turns cheering. Your side is only allowed to cheer when your team is up to bat.
Umbrellas = fun. I convinced Steve he didn't want to lug a souvenir umbrella around for another month, but he is a dedicated fan in his heart.
Cheerleaders at a baseball game?!? Yes, they have their umbrellas.
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