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.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.
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.
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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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,,,,,
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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.
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10-04-2008 @ 4:10PM
Patricia Harding said...
But you know...The White Sox aren't doing much better. Hehehe!!!
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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 !
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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!!!!
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10-04-2008 @ 6:47PM
killawhale11 said...
I'm going to start selling "Hoff Power!" shirts in the off season.
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10-04-2008 @ 7:20PM
Morgan said...
And take Kei Igawa with you!!!
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10-04-2008 @ 7:22PM
Morgan said...
Don't sell Kei Igawa short on this one! He sucks just as well!
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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.
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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!
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10-04-2008 @ 8:24PM
gilbert brooks said...
TAMPA BAY IS ALL I GOT TO SAY.
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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.
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10-04-2008 @ 8:27PM
Steve Carnine said...
Gee, Chicago, ever think your lack of post-season success MIGHT be a karma payback??? No class, guys, no class.
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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
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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,
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10-04-2008 @ 8:47PM
chuckie said...
Somewhere Steve Bartman is smiling.
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10-04-2008 @ 9:20PM
JPuzzleWhiz said...
I just reported you, Mr. Foulmouth!
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10-05-2008 @ 8:11AM
Erik said...
Sorry the product to help the swing is at www.instructoswing.com
Erik
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10-05-2008 @ 9:30AM
Bernie said...
I am and have always been a Mets Fan. I honestly wanted the Cubs to win after the second Mets choke job but after reading this article I'm glad the Dodgers drove another dager in the cities collective hearts. Unlike evrey other team in the league which blame their lack of winning the big game on their manager the Chicago has to blame a poor soul and proceed to drive that blameless person out of town with life threats, hit men, and linch mobs. What a bunch of classless people! Look no further than your idot superstitiuos beliefs and you might actually get the monkey off your hunched backs. You all act like a bunch of igores looking for your next victim. You should all go out, find a goat take it out to the pitchers mound at Wrigley field, cut it open and drink it blood before you shoot it. Hey, there's an idea that might actually work! Don't be such damned losers, leave the Steve Bartmans, Fukodomo's of the world alone and point the blame on your choke job team!
GO DODGERS!
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