Well, we made it. Not to Tokyo, that you knew. But photographer Toni Sandys and I actually made it outside, beyond the route from the Hotel New Otani to the Tokyo Dome! A couple hours walking around the Roppongi district Sunday night, seeing the sights and many of the Rays players, and a well-deserved nice, authentic dinner (Dear boss, no need to read the HOW MUCH IS THAT? item today) gave us a chance to feel like we really were in a foreign land. Our next mission - souvenir shopping.
Sayonara, Marc
Can you eat that?
We're getting gun-shy in our choices. There was another breakfast buffet in the hotel that was even more Americanized, enough so that while the eggs were still a bit orange they at least were cooked. What stood out was the two different serving plates of bacon - hard and soft. What they really seemed to mean was overcooked and undercooked, but it was fine.
Taste: Almost as good as home.
Other reviews: Similar all around.
How much is that?
If a hard-working reporter had only one free night on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, a dinner splurge at the popular Seryna Mon cher ton ton to sample the legendary Kobe beef might seem to be in order. And because the portions are small, the choice one just might make might be the super top sirloin, at an a la carte price of only 13,000 yen, which is roughly $120.
Travel tip
We asked some players who went to Japan in 2000 with the Mets and Cubs for their best stories. Cubs infielder Jeff Huson was seriously impressed with the politeness of the Japanese people until the team tried to beat the traffic by taking the subway from Seibu to Tokyo. "We walk out and the people are so nice. There's no pushing or shoving. They're all very gracious," Huson said. "Everyone is standing back on the platform, and as soon as those doors open, it's like a feeding frenzy. No more Mr. Nice Guy."
Welcome back
Lou Piniella is one of six uniformed Rays who have been to Japan. Piniella led the Reds on a goodwill tour of Japan after their 1990 World Series championship.
Quote of the day
"The last time I heard noise that loud, I was in the student section at a Cal football game." - infielder Geoff Blum on the crowd noise at Sunday's exhibition
What time is it?
Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of Tampa Bay, so when it's 5 a.m. Monday in Tampa Bay, it's 7 p.m. Monday there. And when it's 10 p.m. Monday here, it's noon Tuesday there.
While you were sleeping . . .
The Rays were back on the field Monday for an exhibition against the Yomiuri Giants at 7 p.m. (5 a.m. Tampa Bay time), though it wasn't likely to be as dramatic as Sunday, when the Yankees' Hideki Matsui marked his return to face his old team with a home run.
Coming up
It's time, as odd as it might seem, for regular-season baseball. The Rays will have most of Tuesday free then open their season with a 7 p.m. game (5 a.m. Tampa Bay time) against the Yankees, which will be shown on ESPN2. The teams will play again at the same time Wednesday.
