The Astrodome, the world's first domed stadium, was called “the eighth wonder of the world” and has been in Houston, Texas. It was also the home stadium of the Houston Astros. I first watched an Astros game at the Astrodome in 1977. Since then, I watched four Astros games at the Astrodome. The first time I saw the “audience wave” at a baseball stadium was also at the Astrodome. It was in the 1980s. I still remember the surprise and excitement I felt at that time. At that time, I never saw the “audience wave” at baseball stadiums in Japan. The Astrodome, photographed in 2012 So, I have wonderful memories of the Astrodome. And even after the Astrodome ceased to be the home stadium of the Astros in 1999, the Astros have always been one of my favorite MLB teams. Now, the major leaguer I was paying the most attention to in 2017 was the right-handed hitter Jose Altuve of the Astros. At about 168cm tall, he was said to be the shortest active major leaguer. In 2017, this short man could have done something amazing. In 2014, his fourth season as a major leaguer, Altuve's talent blossomed brilliantly. He had a batting average of .341, 225 hits, and 56 stolen bases. These three were the best in the American League. Since then, he continued to have a batting average of over .300, over 200 hits, and over 30 stolen bases until 2016. In particular, he was the best in the league for the number of hits for three consecutive seasons. This was the second-best record in major league history, after the left-handed hitter Ichiro's five consecutive seasons, but there were eight other hitters who held the second-best record. In other words, if Altuve leads the league in hits in 2017, he surpasses these eight great hitters and solely holds the second-best record. I’m sure there are people who disagree with what I wrote so far. I wrote that there were eight other hitters besides Altuve who led the league in hits for three consecutive seasons, tying the second-best record after Ichiro’s five consecutive seasons. However, there are people who say that the number of such hitters is six or seven. What is the correct number?  I think the correct number is eight, namely the hitters listed below. Ginger Beaumont (1902-1904) Rogers Hornsby (1920-1922), Frank McCormick (1938-1940) Ty Cobb (1907-1909), Tony Oliva (1964-1966)   Kirby Puckett (1987-1989) Johnny Pesky (1942, 1946-1947. He did not play due to military service in 1943-45) Stan Musial (1943-1944, 1946. He did not play due to military service in 1945)) By the way, Altuve had already achieved something amazing by the previous year, 2016. In the history of MLB, only two hitters other than Altuve have led the league in hits and stolen 30 or more bases for three consecutive seasons. Ty Cobb and Ichiro. Altuve has already tied with these two greats. If he achieves this again in 2017, he will surpass these two greats. Furthermore, even if Altuve does not lead the league in hits in 2017, if he achieves 200 or more hits, it will be his fourth consecutive season of 200 or more hits, which will raise great expectations for the future. Ichiro holds the major league record of hitting 200 or more hits in a season for 10 consecutive seasons, but the highest number of consecutive seasons with 200 or more hits by a right-handed hitter is five that Al Simmons and Michael Young achieved.  If Altuve hits 200 or more hits in 2017, he will be just one season away from tying this record. Here is about Altuve in 2017. His batting average was .346, the best in the league. His 204 hits were also the best in the league. His number of stolen bases was 32. This means that he led the league in hits for four consecutive seasons and surpassed eight great hitters to solely hold the second-best record. This record is just one season away from tying Ichiro’s record of five consecutive seasons.  And Altuve established the record of 200 or more hits in a season for four consecutive seasons that is just one season away from tying the major league record of five consecutive seasons with 200 or more hits by a right-handed hitter. He also set a new major league record by leading the league in hits and stealing 30 or more bases for four consecutive seasons. This means that he surpassed two greats, Ty Cobb and Ichiro. In 2018, Altuve finished with 169 hits (11th in the league) and 17 stolen bases. That’s very unfortunate. But I have a lot of respect for what Altuve accomplished.  ( If I’ve made a mistake or left out something important, please let me know. I’ll try to make corrections or additions )

May 2016.  I was driving around the US and I wanted to visit Clearbrook, Minnesota. It's the hometown of Wes Westrum. Westrum was a major leaguer who played for the New York Giants (now the San Francisco Giants) for 11 years from 1947. He was a catcher who was known for his defense, although his batting wasn't that great. After retiring, he served as a coach and manager for two teams, the Giants and the New York Mets. He died in 2002. He was 79 years old.   Clearbrook has the "Wes Westrum Museum." I was planning to visit this museum. But there was a small problem. That was the location of Clearbrook. It's far from the interstate highway, so you have to go on a regular road. I like that kind of drive, but it would be a shame to go there only to be told that the museum is closed due to circumstances. So I decided to send an inquiry email to the museum in advance. However, no matter how many times I emailed them, I got no response. So I tried calling, but no matter how many times I called, there was no response. What on earth was going on?  Should I go?  Should I hold off?  When faced with such doubts, I end up going. Well, Clearbrook is a small city with a population of about 500. I immediately looked for the museum, but no matter how hard I looked I couldn't find it. Come on, give me a break. Is the issue not just whether it's open, but whether it even exists? In this situation, it's best to ask at City Hall. There was a police car parked in front of City Hall. Had there been some kind of incident?  Or is it normal for a police car to be parked in front of City Hall ?  I went inside. A police car parked in front of City Hall in Clearbrook The City Hall is a single-story building, but it also doubles as a community center for the residents, and the space inside is quite large. There is also a police office. As I was walking down the wide corridor looking for a staff member, a young white male police officer came out of the police office and called out to me with a smile. "Is there something I can help you with?" When I told the policeman that I was a tourist from Japan and was looking for the Wes Westrum Museum, he was pleased and asked me, "You came all the way from Japan?" He then continued, "But the museum burned down a few years ago." What!?  What the hell?  I wondered what they were going to do with me, having come all this way, but it turned out that the wall of the city hall corridor was serving as the museum. Thank goodness. There seemed to be fewer exhibits than when the museum was there. Still, it's fair to say that it's fulfilling its role well Exhibits about Westrum on the wall of City Hall corridor There are a wide variety of items on display, including newspaper articles about Westrum's exploits, photographs, and amusing caricatures. Among the exhibits, there was one that made me think, "I knew it had to be on display." It was an enlarged cover of the first issue of “Sports Illustrated”.  The cover of the first issue of “Sports Illustrated” featured a photograph of a left-handed batter hitting the ball with a beautiful swing in front of a packed stadium. ...By the way, the cover also states that the issue was published on August 16, 1954 and cost 25 cents. Enlarged photo of the cover of the first issue of” Sports Illustrated” Now, the left-handed batter in question is Eddie Matthews, a legendary baseball player who hit 512 home runs in his career and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was also the home run king the year before “Sports Illustrated” was launched. So it would be natural to assume that Matthews was on the cover of the first issue of “Sports Illustrated”. I think that was what “Sports Illustrated” intended as well. However, some people still remember Matthews and Westrum as the ones who appeared on the cover of the first issue of “Sports Illustrated”. That's because Westrum is the catcher behind Matthews. It seems a bit unfair that so few people remember umpire Augie Donatelli, who is behind Westrum. Anyway, I think it's a heartwarming story that a baseball player whose body is buried in the small city where he was born and raised is still remembered by people. ( If I’ve made a mistake or left out something important, please let me know. I’ll try to make corrections or additions.)

Many people have spoken a lot about Ichiro's batting. But there are some things that are not spoken. Batting average is a division. It is calculated by dividing the number of hits by the number of at-bats. So, in order to have a high batting average, it is better to increase the number of hits and decrease the number of at-bats. The only way to increase the number of hits is to hit (obviously). The way to decrease the number of at-bats is to walk. It is usually thought that a player who balances both of these is likely to become the leader in batting average. However, Ichiro just keeps hitting and increasing his number of at-bats, as if he has no intention of walking. Although such a player should not be able to become the leader in batting average. Ichiro has been the leader in batting average of the American League twice. In 2001 and 2004. Moreover, Ichiro also had the most at-bats in the American League in both of these years. Ichiro on display at National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum In the history of the major leagues, only nine players, including Ichiro, have been the leader in batting average while having the most at-bats in their league. And Ichiro is the only one who has managed to do this twice. Furthermore, the leader in batting average with the most at-bats in the history of the major leagues was Ichiro in 2004 (704 at-bats), and the second was Ichiro in 2001 (692 at-bats). In 2004, Ichiro's batting average was .372. This is the highest batting average in the 21st century. Even now, no player has surpassed this batting average. And his at-bats were the most in his league (actually, the most in both leagues combined!). Furthermore, Ichiro's at-bats that year were the most in the history of the major leagues for the leader in batting average. This means that Ichiro's single season record of 262 hits in 2004 will probably never be broken. ( If I’ve made a mistake or left out something important, please let me know. I’ll try to make corrections or additions)

In the American film “Field of Dreams” (1989),  Shoeless  Joe Jackson, who died in 1951, appears as “ a ghost” in the present world.  The real Jackson was a right-handed thrower and left-handed batter, but in this film, he is played as the exact opposite, a left-handed thrower and right-handed batter. Many baseball fans and major league aficionados have criticized and been disappointed by this exact opposite, calling it a "mistake", but I am impressed by this exact opposite, as a wonderful adaptation and direction that reflects the fantasy nature (ghostly nature?) of the original novel.  Of course, there is a proper reason and justification for this. DVD of “Field of Dreams” (Japanese version) In the masterpiece novel on which this film is based,  “Shoeless Joe” by W.P. Kinsella , the most detailed depiction of Jackson's defense is the scene where he catches a fly ball in left field: "Shoeless Joe drifts effortlessly a few steps to his left, raises his right hand to signal for the ball, camps under it for a second or two, catches it, at the same time transferring it to his throwing hand, and fires it to the infield”.  Does this make it clear whether he is a right-handed or left-handed thrower?  It's not clear, is it?  Isn't it normal to think that the author did this intentionally?   “Shoeless Joe”, the original novel of “Field of Dreams” Next, Jackson's batting in the original novel. There is a scene where he hits, but it doesn't say whether he is hitting from the left or right side. This also seems to me to be intentional. However, when it is written which direction Jackson's hits went, they are always flying to the left side, and there is even a description like this: ”the ball was hit over the left-field fence of my stadium, clubbed by Shoeless Joe off a ghostly relief pitcher during an extra-inning game, a blue darter of a line drive that thudded into the stands a few seats from Karin and me”.  So, even though it doesn't say whether he is a right-handed or left-handed hitter, it would be normal to think that there is an intention to imply that he is a right-handed hitter, which is the opposite of the real thing. Japanese translation version of “Shoeless Joe” I think that the movie beautifully expresses the fantasy nature of the original novel. Unlike text, the images need to be clearly defined as either left or right, so they are completely opposite. A photo of Shoeless Joe’s batting form, found in the house where he spent his later years in Greenville, South Carolina. Incidentally, in addition to Jackson, the film features several other dead major leaguers, the most important of which is a player named Moonlight Graham. The real one was a right-handed thrower and left-handed batter. In the novel there is a scene where he himself says “ I throw right". But it is not stated whether he actually played as a right-handed or left-handed thrower. There is a scene where he is at bat and hits, but it is not clear whether he is a right-handed or left-handed batter. It seems that this is done intentionally. How is the acting in the film?  There is no scene where Graham throws, and there is a scene where he hits the ball as a right-handed batter, which is the opposite of the real one.  I think that all of the adaptations and direction are consistent with the original novel, and the fantasy nature  (ghostly nature?) of the original novel is beautifully expressed. ( If I’ve made a mistake or left out something important, please let me know. I’ll try to make corrections or additions.)

In the summer of 2007, I visited Greenville, Texas. This is the small city where a pitcher named Monty Stratton lived after his retirement from baseball until his death at age 70.    Stratton was born and raised on a farm in Wagner, a town near Greenville. While working on the farm and pitching for a local baseball team, he caught the eye of a scout and joined the Chicago White Sox. He became one of the leading right-handed pitchers in the American League. However, in 1938, at the young age of 26, he retired from major league baseball.     Monty Stratton’s birthplace, Wagner During the off-season, Stratton returned to the farm and fell while rabbit hunting, shooting himself in the right leg with a hunting rifle. His right leg had to be amputated. Dejected, Stratton was encouraged by his wife Ethel, practiced hard with a prosthetic leg, and made a brilliant comeback as a pitcher in the minor leagues. ...Stratton's turbulent life  has even been made into a movie. "The Stratton Story" (1949), starring James Stewart. After arriving in Greenville, I decided to go to the nearby town of Wagner first, thinking that the farm where Stratton was born and raised might still be there. It was a rural town with farms and houses scattered here and there over a wide area. I drove around the town, but couldn't find Stratton's farm. So I decided to go and ask at each farm and house. "I'm a big MLB fan from Tokyo. I'm looking for the farm where Monty Stratton was born and raised. Do you know where it is?"  None of the farms or houses seemed wary of me, and they were happy to open their doors and listen to my questions. But no one knew the answer to my question.  In fact, no one even knew who Monty Stratton was. Still, most of the farms and houses said, "It's amazing that you came all the way from Japan to look for the farm where Monty Stratton was born and raised. I hope you can find it." At one house, they invited me in and even treated me to coffee and cookies. The owner used to work for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Kobe and was nostalgic for Japan. So, the husband, wife and I ended up chatting for about an hour. It was all just small talk that had nothing to do with Stratton, but it was a lot of fun. I was surprised and happy to find someone who had worked in Japan in a place like this. Giving up on the idea that the farm where Stratton was born and raised must no longer exist, I returned to Greenville and decided to go to a museum that exhibited Stratton's memorabilia. I had found out that such a museum existed before I left Japan. It wasn't a museum dedicated to Stratton. It was a comprehensive museum that exhibited the history of Greenville and famous people associated with Greenville. There was a huge bronze statue in the square in front of the entrance. It was a bronze statue of Audie Murphy. I know about Audie Murphy. I’ve seen some of his movies. But young people in Japan don’t know him. Do young people in USA know him? Murphy was a hero who received many medals during World War II. After the war, he became a movie actor and starred in several Hollywood movies. Murphy was born and raised in a town near Greenville, and it seems he once lived in Greenville. By the way, the bronze statue in front of the museum's entrance is of Murphy in military uniform holding a gun. A bronze statue of Audie Murphy in front of the museum When I went inside the museum, the Audie Murphy exhibit corner was the most prominent. However, there was also a small exhibit corner for Stratton. There were photos of Stratton, uniforms, gloves, etc. As I was looking intently, a male staff member called out to me. He looked to be in his late 70s. "You seem to be interested in Stratton." "Yes. Ever since I saw “The Stratton Story”, I've been wanting to come to Greenville someday. Stratton was a very handsome man. Even more handsome than James Stewart in the movie." "His wife Ethel was beautiful, too. She passed away four months ago." "What, she was still alive four months ago!  I guess I came too late. If I had come earlier, I might have been able to meet Ethel." "Well, it's never too late in life. You came, so that's good." Monty Stratton exhibits and me It's true, it's never too late in life. But I wanted to meet Ethel. I wanted to ask Ethel all about Monty Stratton. Monty Stratton exhibits ( If I’ve made a mistake or left out something important, please let me know. I’ll try to make corrections or additions.)

From now on, I will be publishing columns on this website. They are about Major League Baseball. But with so many books, newspaper articles, and online articles about Major League Baseball, I wonder if anyone will read my columns. I'm worried.　 But anyway, I want to start with the American movie “Meet Joe Black” (1998). I think this is a great movie and it’s one of my favorite movies, but no one around me has seen it. Hasn't this movie been advertised to young women as a sweet love story starring Brad Pitt?  The people who can really appreciate the quality of this movie are people like me who are old and tired of life. ….If you want to know what it's about, watch it on DVD. I won't go into detail here. DVD of the movie "Meet Joe Black" (Japanese version) Now. The main character played by Brad Pitt is called Joe Black. There is a line that a middle-aged man says immediately when he hears the name. I'll introduce it with the English subtitles. "Hey, hey, Joe Black. Won 15, lost 2 for the Brooklyn Dodgers, 1952. I'm king of my rotisserie league."  Sounds like something a Major League fan would say. However, I think this line is incorrect. I think Joe Black of the Brooklyn Dodgers had 15 wins  and 4 losses in 1952, not 15 wins and 2 losses[1]. And, when talking about Joe Black as a major leaguer, there's something more important to note. He was the winning pitcher in the first game of the 1952 World Series. This was the first time a black man was the winning pitcher in the World Series[1]. Biography of MLB player Joe Black Major League fans may say cool things, but they may actually be wrong, or they may not say important things.  I wonder if I'll make mistakes or forget to write important things in my columns from now on. …I'm worried after all.   (If I've made a mistake or left out something important, please let me know. I'll try to make corrections or additions.)     Selzer, Steven Michael (2010). Meet the Real Joe Black: An Inspiring Life - Baseball, Teaching, Business, Giving. iUniverse, Inc.

Makio Mukai, MD, PhD Born: June 24, 1947 in Tokyo, Japan School: Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan Occupation : Pathologist (retired) Former Director, Division of Surgical Pathology, Keio University Hospital https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Makio-Mukai-39313634 Involvement with MLB : When I was eight years old (1955), the New York Yankees came to Japan. The members of that visit were truly impressive. Six of them had uniform numbers later retired by the Yankees: Casey Stengel(37), Whitey Ford(16), Yogi Berra(8), Elston Howard(32), Billy Martin(1),and Mickey Mantle(7). I watched one of their games at the stadium and felt love with MLB. Since then, I've been an enthusiastic MLB fan. From 2007 to 2019, I wrote a weekly column about MLB for the Japanese newspaper, Asahi Shimbun. I have published three books about MLB in Japanese. My interest in MLB led me to become interested in American culture and history in general from my childhood. http://www.kilroywashere.org/001-Pages/01-0KilroyLegends.html Relatives: Spouse of Chiaki Mukai https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mukai.pdf