A couple of readers sent me their opinions about the subject of last week's column: the supposed "Giants jinx." It seemingly afflicts foreign players who play in Japan for one team, then cannot reach agreement on a new contract, so they move to the Yomiuri Giants, only to find bad luck, coincidental injury or other problems that keep them from performing as they did for the old club.
I cited John Sipin, Jack Howell, Eric Hillman, Rodney Pedraza, Roberto Petagine, Tuffy Rhodes and Jeremy Powell as among those who had been brought to Japan by one team, established themselves as stars but somehow played at a lower level after transferring to the Kyojin.
Former Yokohama BayStars closer Marc Kroon and ex-Yakult Swallows hurler Seth Greisinger will be trying to avoid the hex in 2008, their first season with Yomiuri, and they may be joined by slugger Alex Ramirez who is also leaving Yakult and is rumored to be on the verge of signing with the Giants.