The Travels of Tru – Part VI (The Final Chapter?)

A dear friend of the RSC and frequent commenter here, “Tru” is making the trip to Japan to see both Red Sox games versus the Oakland A’s. Tru was kind enough to offer to contribute his observations on his trip, Japan, and the games.

Here is what I believe to be the final installment* of “The Travels of Tru”:

I can’t thank Tru enough for doing this. I can’t imagine taking the time out of his experience there to write all this down and focus on editing the pictures he sent me. I’d probably have done nothing but sleep and watch baseball. He’s made me feel special and as if I was there with him. I owe him a couple of three beers for this one! 🙂

*Cyn reserves the right to amend this if Tru decides to send us more!

(Brenda and Tru in front of the Tokyo Dome!) 

Epilogue

Brenda and I said our goodbyes at the Suidobashi train station. We had a great time and got to see the Sox play baseball in Japan. It was interesting how that kept coming back center stage in each of our minds. It was that kind of feeling an 8 year old has on Christmas morning, opening up that one gift they’d hoped for and got. It was really quite special.

Riding back to Shinjuku station in the overcrowded train, I kept on thinking about how everyone made out on this trip. Clearly, disaster was avoided when AirBud found ½ of his conscience; coaches thankfully made out. The players actually seemed to be enjoying the novelty, and have a memory that will last them a lifetime. The fans for each team got some of what they wanted, as they split the series. And the fans from Japan got Matsuzaka and Okajima. I also believe the vendors made out, as the better Opening Series Japan mementos were pretty scarce; hats were sold out and Brenda and I talked about why they did not have more inventory. I would have liked a cap. I believe both the A’s and Sox organizations profited from the experience. And finally, my good friend and baseball’s moral compass, AirBud made out.

On the way back to the hotel, it is a 10 minute walk from the west exit of Shinjuku station. The place was simply packed. I believe the facility sees more than 3.5 million people per day, ranking it as one of, if not the busiest train stations in the world. A man I saw talking on the train was also headed towards Keio Plaza, and he stopped me and asked if he could take my picture. I was struck by how he thought of me as an oddity of sorts, or possibly a novelty. I was wearing my field warm up jacket and cap. I was in a uniform for the event and Japan likes uniforms.

So he takes my picture, thanks me profusely for having allowed him to, and then presents me his business card. I can only imagine that happening at the Kenmore stop.

Thanks Beazer (Note from Cyn: Yes, I’m “Beazer” 🙂 ) for letting me share some of what we saw and noticed during the last couple of days. The photos were taken with the camera I got Mrs. Tru for Christmas and KellyO was thought of quite a lot when I was trying to hold the camera steady. Last I saw her (and that ferret of hers), she was telling me about the lighting and our position and how it made for challenges in getting a good shot. I hope the images convey a little bit of what it was like inside the Dome.

I’m looking forward to coming home. I miss my wife and kids. And at least at Fenway I do not need to use advanced math to figure out the difference of kilometers per hour and miles per hour on the radar gun.