THANK YOU JAPAN AND NEW YORK YANKEES

Warning, this is a sports post but it is also a human interest post that I hope you find entertaining. However, I understand that sports can be mind numbingly boring to the uninterested so you are free to move on to another post. I won't be offended.

Most of you know I am a serious Miami Marlins baseball fan.  Enough so that I pay big bucks each year to Direct TV to watch all their  games. Though the expense is a lot for me, it figures out to a little more  than a dollar a game. Put that way, I can afford it.

For several years we have pretty much owned last place in our division but this year, our tight fisted owner sprang for some really nice talent. Then the season started and the team forgot to.  It was a painful beginning. For the better part of April, we won only 4 games and once again enjoyed last place.

One of the men we picked up this year was 41 year old Ichiro Suzuki. Forty one is really old in baseball and our team is crawling with low 20 year olds. I kind of questioned this move at the time but the man is a future Hall of Fame player and was just meant to pinch hit and play relief outfield.  I was glad I would be given a chance to see this icon play, if only briefly.

We are reputed to have three of  the best outfield players in baseball and with him as a backup  just made us better.  His fit into this young team has been amazing. The young guys love him and there is quite a bit of the "awe" factor.

He is having a really fun time as evidenced by his constant smile and has been rejuvenated by them while they have gotten to see a true legend play. To a man, they say he is a delight to be around with a great sense of humor and his work ethic is next to none.

The man weighs the same as he did as a rookie and is still built pretty much the same. He is 5' 11" and weighs 170 pounds.  He appears slight and almost looks frail but the man is wiry muscled, with zero fat. He is considered by many to be the most limber and fit man in all of sports.

Then our 23 year old gold glove, all star right fielder hurt his back recently and was to be out for several weeks.  Forty one year old Ichiro  stepped in flawlessly. He has played the position error free and his bat hasn't failed. Since Ichiro has been playing everyday, our team has climbed out of the basement and we are tied for 2nd place and are still moving forward.

This past Wednesday, we beat the team with the best record in baseball with the help of his bat. Ichiro hit a three run home run out of Marlin's Park, one of the largest parks in baseball, to give us the win.

In the same game, our 300 million dollar player, Giancarlo Stanton also hit a home run. It was more or less expected of the 25 year old, 6'6", 240 pounds of sculpted muscle.

Giancarlo's Sports Illustrated photo. A little something for the ladies who have struggled through a sports post. 

While Giancarlo's homer was exciting and fun to watch, the absolute delight came when the little guy did the same thing later in the game as the crowd chanted "E-che-ro" repeatedly during his long at bat. He has fast become a fan favorite.

So I say thank you New York Yankees for letting him go but mostly a thank you to Japan for lending us this delightful player. This year, regardless of our win/loss record, will be much more enjoyable and entertaining. We get to watch a legend, who still has it, play the game.

Is there a legendary athlete you would pay to watch?