Chicago Cubs center fielder and substitute lead-off man Kosuke Fukudome is in the midst of his second year in a row of a protracted and steep decline following a hot start. But just as Lou Piniella is going to “coach” Milton Bradley out of his funk, Kosuke Fukudome is going to get the same treatment from a familiar face.
Kosuke Fukudome’s Japanese hitting coach, Kyosuke Sasaki, is expected to join the Cubs today in Philadelphia so he can work with his star pupil for the next week or so.
”We’re going to put him in uniform and let him observe, and if need be, he can work with Fukudome all he wants,” Piniella said. ”He’s got our blessing.”
Sasaki, who has a longtime relationship with Fukudome, worked with the Cubs’ center fielder in the offseason and visited Chicago in May for some more work. Fukudome credited Sasaki for helping him get off to a strong start this season.CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
Hey, whatever works.
Then again, if Sasaki is the one who taught Fukudome that ridiculous whirly-bird, bail-out-on-all-pitches-outside swing, maybe this won’t help.
Fuk’s OBP is over .400 since he was moved to leadoff. That’s all I really care about from a leadoff hitter.
Yeah, that’s very true. Still… he makes me nervous.