How about that start by Yokohama BayStars cleanup hitter Bobby Rose? In the 'Stars first six games of the season, five of which they won, Rose went 14-for-21, belted four home runs, including a grand slam, drove in 12, scored nine, hit four doubles and compiled a .667 batting average, .750 on-base percentage and 1.429 slugging average.

This is the guy who threatened to retire last year, saying he had made his money, wanted to spend time with his family and had accomplished all his goals as a baseball player, after a season in which he won the Central League batting (.369) and RBI (153) titles and slammed 37 HRs. Maybe there's more, though. He hasn't won a Triple Crown, and he might have another shot at that all-time Japan single-season RBI record (161 by Makoto Kozuro of the Shochiku Robins in 1950) he chased last year.

Sure, I know it's only the first week of a long season, and Rose can't keep up this pace all year (at least, I don't think he can), but what a beginning!