Cultural differences MLB - NPB, 2
Q: More examples?
A. We've discussed the idea that in major league baseball, the fastball is "the coin of the realm." Not so in Japan. There, the pitch that achieves an out for one's team is the coin of the realm.
Here, the barrel-chested, 96-mph Roger Clemens is prototypical. There, Daisuke Matsuzaka, with 6 different pitches and a brainy aura, is prototypical.
A few American pitchers refuse to accept the idea that macho should rule the pitcher-batter matchup. Jamie Moyer and Mark Buehrle don't pitch that way. Greg Maddux obviously didn't.
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One of the most exteme examples of this is the Griffey shift, not because it's so important, but because it is one of the reductio ad absurdums of the MLB-NPB divide in attitude.
As noted in another SSI article today, the MLB attitude is "the star's job is to hit the ball hard. If he tears the first baseman's mitt off, he's done his job."
This attitude would be preposterous in Japan, and it underlines the different cultural perspectives.
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Q. Why is MLB baseball generally better than NPB baseball, then?
A. I never quite got this until I asked a native European: why don't you guys have NFL-style football? His reply, "we don't grow 'em that big over here." :- )
There aren't a lot of NPB players who physically look like Alex Rodriguez at SS, Prince Fielder at 1B, Sabathia, Zambrano, Putz, Dunn, etc. America is a melting pot of diverse genetics, of incredible talent, of a huge pyramid of young boys who grow up living sports. The minor-league structure is impressive, as well.
The depth of physical talent in (North and South) America is overwhelming. It's a tribute to Japan's technique that their players are almost as good as America's, IMHO.
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Q. Leaving Ichiro where?
A. As the semi-tolerated Jackie Robinson of the NPB-MLB divide.
Ichiro can't talk about superior ways of doing things. He literally can't sit down next to an American player and begin teaching him how to hit.
But ML players watch Ichiro, and they understand that there's something to his 4,000-hit parade, and it could be that the next wave will be listened to. Some day, some ML team will implement Japanese baseball knowledge to their advantage.
In that sense, Ichiro is an heir to Robinson. His entire MLB playing career has occurred in, IMHO, a semi-hostile work environment, and he has played through it in quiet dignity and grace. Future generations will enjoy more comfortable work environments.
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My $0.02,
Dr D