To get us into the spirit of the Cubs season opener in Japan, KidNews has put together a Japanese translation of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” or “Yakyu no Shiai ni Iko.”
Get ready to go out to the ballgame Japanese style! The Chicago Cubs will take on the New York Mets in Tokyo, Japan, to open the 2000 Major League Baseball season. This two-game series, which starts Wednesday, will mark the first-ever regular season games outside North America.
Before the series, both teams will play exhibition games against the Yomiure Giants and the Seibu Lions of the Japanese Professional Baseball League.
Sluggers Sammy Sosa of the Cubs and Mike Piazza of the Mets will be there to take aim at the fences of the Tokyo Dome. This will be the second trip to Japan for Sosa, who toured Japan as a member of the 1998 Major League All Stars. Cubbies expected to join him include: first baseman Mark Grace; catcher Joe Girarde, a recently signed free agent from the Yankees; second baseman Ricky Guiterrez; and centerfielder Damon Buford. The Cubs aren’t expected to take fireball pitcher Kerry Wood, who is recuperating from elbow surgery, on this long trek.
The Mets’ lineup is expected to include baseball’s all-time leading base stealer, Ricky Henderson; Robin Ventura, a former Chicago White Sox third baseman; and outfielder Derek Bell, who was obtained in a trade in the off-season from the Houston Astros.
Besides their big-bucks salaries, traveling ballplayers also get meal money. While in Japan, each will receive about 30,000 yen per day. Sound like a lot? Consider this: About 105 yens equals a U.S. dollar. A cup of coffee can cost 350 to 600 yen, a bowl of noodles 700 yen, and players craving a McDonald’s hamburger will have to fork over 350 yen.
Eager to see the games live? It’ll be an early wake-up call: The first pitch should be around 4 a.m. Central Time on Fox Sports Net (check cable listings for more details). If you can’t get out of bed, no prob Wednesday’s game will be shown again at 7 p.m. and Thursday’s game at 3 p.m. on Fox Sports Net.
THE SEVENTH-INNING STRETCH, JAPANESE STYLE
ON THE COUNT OF THREE, START SINGING. A ONE, A TWO, A THREE . . .
Take me out to the ball game
Yakyu no shiai ni i ko yo
More Top Picks Black Friday And Cyber Monday Gym Equipment Deals
Take me out with the crowd
Min na to issho ni iko
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack
Pi no tsu popukon wo tabete
I don’t care if I never get back
Zut to soko de ta no shi mo
Let me root root root for the home team
Ho mu chi mu wo o en shi te
If they don’t win it’s a shame
Ma ke ta ra zan nen
For it’s one two three strikes you’re out
Sa, ichi ni san shin de au to
At the old ballgame!
Yakyu no shi ai de!
— Translated by Joanne Kiyoko Tohei.