This is going to be a very deep, disciplined team. Naturally, it would be better if Godzilla (Matsui of the Yankees) was playing, but still, there is a lot of talent in Japan. Especially pitching. The Japan Baseball League, in terms of quality and level of play is probably smack dab between MLB and triple AAA ball in the States. Although they are invariably fundamentally sound, what the Japanese players commonly (not always) lack is speed and power, which is why each JBL team has two or three foreigners. Regarding "speed" however, no one from any country gets down the first base line any quicker than former National League MVP and Rookie of the Year, Ichiro Suzuki, who will be patrolling the outfield for the strongest entry from the Far East.
I understand that Sadaharu Oh, who is the Japan equivalent of Babe Ruth, will be coaching the team. His Fukoaka Daiei Hawks won the JBL championship during the first year I was living in Tokyo.
