Welcome to Japan to all the players, coaches, manager, umpires, officials and staff members arriving Wednesday for the 2002 Major League All-Star Japan Series beginning Saturday. Thanks for coming, and all the best for a successful tour.
Meanwhile, we'll learn soon if the next MLB Japan event will involve Ichiro (Suzuki) and the Seattle Mariners playing the Oakland Athletics in official major-league openers in this country come next March 25-26.
Not sure yet who will be managing the M's, but it will be former Chunichi Dragons third baseman (1982-1985) Ken Macha at the helm of the A's, now that Art Howe will move from West Coast to East Coast and pilot the New York Mets after his turn as manager of the MLB All-Stars here next week.