Paging Kosuke Fukudome, You're Hated

Life is not good for Kosuke Fukudome right now. The Cubs are down two games to none in their NLDS series against the Dodgers, he's hitless in eight postseason at bats, kids are getting in trouble at school for wearing his jersey, and those headbands fans used to wear around Wrigley are still being used, but by fans to hang themselves with.

To put it plainly, Kosuke's life just sucks right now. His manager made it pretty clear that he's not going to be playing again anytime soon, and now poor Kosuke is even getting heckled at O'Hare Airport when he's not even there.

Passengers at O'Hare Airport were surprised to hear his name being paged over the public address system in Terminal B on Friday morning.

But it turned out that it was all a joke.

"Paging Kosuke Fukudome, paging Kosuke Fukudome ... Please report to the Cincinnati Reds. You have been traded for a player to be named later."

Some of the passengers waiting for flights laughed, while others cringed.

See, now that's just cold. While Fukudome has struggled mightily for months now, it's pretty unfair for Cubs fans to unleash all their frustration on him. I mean, it's not like he's the only member of the team to disappear in October. The fact that the middle of the Cubs order has disappeared, the infield can't play defense anymore, and the pitching staff can't get anyone out when it counts isn't helping much either.

There's plenty of blame to go around Wrigleyville right now, Cubs fans, so spread the love.

Cubs-Dodgers Photos

Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Pinella talks with reporters during a news conference prior to Game 3 of the National Baseball League division series in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Rich Harden talks with reporters during a news conference prior to Game 3 of the National Baseball League division series in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Joe Torre talks with reporters during a news conference prior to Game 3 of the National Baseball League division series in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, of Japan, warms up prior to Game 3 of the National Baseball League division series in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, of Japan,talks with reporters during a news conference prior to Game 3 of the National League division series in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

10-04-2008 @ 1:38PM

Frank Dunn said...

Fukudome will be the biggest bust ever of Japanesse players....Koske can you spell I-O-W-A? I hear its hot and muggy in Des Moines in August, you will fit in well,,,,,

10-04-2008 @ 8:27PM

Chris Neyfeldt said...

It reminds me of when the CUBS were so sure Hee Sop Choi was the answer for Mark Grace. He left and what happens his first year with the D-Backs he wins a World Series

10-04-2008 @ 3:30PM

Victor Boyd said...

This is why I'm a White Sox fan. Cubs fan's have to class and this is why they'll NEVER see a World Series.

10-14-2008 @ 4:58PM

maxx said...

# 1fukudome has struggled cuz the NL pitchers have found out his weakness he wil continue to struggle he needs to go back to the yaamuri giants or whatever team he was with in japan and become a great singles doubles hitter again in japan # 2 hes a cub so his poor hitting dont suprize me at playoff time cuz they gather around and say hey we aint supposed to be here playing we should be watching the post season on TV at home # 3 the cubs are the biggest chokers there are

10-04-2008 @ 8:09PM

Gabor Hvolik said...

This post is spectacularly difficult to get through. Is it really that much of a time sink to write with punctuation and avoid a paragraph-long run-on sentence?

10-04-2008 @ 4:10PM

Patricia Harding said...

But you know...The White Sox aren't doing much better. Hehehe!!!

10-04-2008 @ 4:20PM

patriot said...

Like we even need to outsource ballplayers right? Get them from here or get your fans from thier !

10-04-2008 @ 4:49PM

JIM FEDERICI said...

OUR KIDS ARE DYING OVERSEAS, & THESE FANS ARE GIVING THIS YOUNG MAN A HARD TIME! I'M A MARLIN FAN & ALWAYS LIKED THE CUBS, BUT NOW THIS! COME ON ARE THESE FANS THAT IGNORANT, YOU THINK THIS PLAYER IS TANKING ON PURPOSE? TELL THESE FANS TO TAKE SOME LESSONS FROM MARLIN FANS! P/S THEY WERE KIND ON CHILDISH WHEN THE FISH KICKED THEIR BUTS ON THEIR WAY TO THEIR 2nd WORLD SERIES WIN!!!!

10-04-2008 @ 6:47PM

killawhale11 said...

I'm going to start selling "Hoff Power!" shirts in the off season.

10-04-2008 @ 7:20PM

Morgan said...

And take Kei Igawa with you!!!

10-04-2008 @ 7:22PM

Don't sell Kei Igawa short on this one! He sucks just as well!

10-04-2008 @ 7:27PM

Juan Z. Tozez said...

The Cubs are all Supermen. Unfortunately, like always for the Cubs, the playoffs are Kryptonite. The Dodgers will probably have Lex Luther on the mound for game 3.

10-04-2008 @ 8:30PM

will said...

its kind of messed up that there heckling this man the way they are. that just goes to show the respect and devotion these lousy cubs fans have for there players. and where is the rest of the team. the pitching staff and where is soriano,edmonds and the rest of the so called chicago greats. reality check they just suck and they a bunch of chokers so why not blame one person for the whole team. what horrible fans like the team..

10-04-2008 @ 7:35PM

Jack said...

With a name like Kosuke Fukudome, you'd better be good, lol!

10-04-2008 @ 8:36PM

Erik said...

Give me 1 week and I would have this guy hitting again. The Cubs hitting coach isn't much of a hittting coach. My offer stands give me the hitting coach job. Here is a product that would help get this hitter back to hitting. Hey Chicago hire me don't blame this player because he is stuggling.

Erik,

Steve Carnine said...

Gee, Chicago, ever think your lack of post-season success MIGHT be a karma payback??? No class, guys, no class.

10-04-2008 @ 8:24PM

gilbert brooks said...

TAMPA BAY IS ALL I GOT TO SAY.

10-04-2008 @ 8:26PM

Lisa said...

This is one funny story. Even Red Sox fans won't go this far. But honestly, I think you have to be careful when signing Japanese players no matter how great they are in Japan. Their season is shorter over there, and their league is nowhere as competitive as the MLB. It shows in the players when they come here.

10-05-2008 @ 8:11AM

Sorry the product to help the swing is at www.instructoswing.com

Erik