Bun Bun Maru Takes Final Swings
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Re: Bun Bun Maru Takes Final Swings
[ Author: Guest: JinguLover | Posted: Oct 18, 2002 6:56 PM
]
I am glad you brought this topic up. It really was a very emotional scene at Jingu. I was quite upset with the Daily Yomiuri for having nothing about Ikeyama's retirement, even though it was a moment of such great importance.
Ikeyama can be considered one of the greatest hitters to ever play for the Yakult Swallows, as I think he is the only person on the team who has hit over 300 homeruns. Hirosawa has hit over 300, but his last 6 years or so have been with the Giants and Tigers. His batting style "bun bun maru," his "akarui" personality, his role as a leader on the team, and even his strikeouts will be a memory for all those who saw Ikeyama play yesterday...
Ikeyama can be considered one of the greatest hitters to ever play for the Yakult Swallows, as I think he is the only person on the team who has hit over 300 homeruns. Hirosawa has hit over 300, but his last 6 years or so have been with the Giants and Tigers. His batting style "bun bun maru," his "akarui" personality, his role as a leader on the team, and even his strikeouts will be a memory for all those who saw Ikeyama play yesterday...
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I don't think there was a dry eye at Jingu this evening (Oct. 17) for Yakult's "Ikeyama Night." Ikeyama played the entire game despite the fact that he was having a lot of trouble with his knees.
When he struck out to end the game in the bottom of the 10th, the noise level didn't decrease at all. The fans were with him all the way. Hiroshima's Hasegawa, after striking him out, came up to the beloved veteran, tipped his hat and shook Ikeyama's hand. I'm sure that even he was rooting for Bun Bun Maru to get one more hit.
Ikeyama did hit a double to left in the 8th inning. I really thought his knees were going to give out, but he hung in there for the complete game.
After a video of his career on the big screen in center, [
Akiyama] Ikeyama thanked the crowd, the Carp for staying through the cerimony, his kids, team mates, and many more. By the end of his speech, there wasn't a dry eye in the place. (I was glad that I had a box of tissues nearby as well.)Otsukaresama Ikeyama.
[Edited by: admin on Mar 1, 2003 5:06 PM JST]