Team Japan
Thursday may have been the first time the Japanese anthem was played at HoHoKam Park. Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome started in center field for the Japanese team in the exhibition game, and was batting sixth. He’s hitting .286 in the World Baseball Classic.
There were more than 100 Japanese media credentialed for the event and the game was televised back to Japan.
– Carrie Muskat
mlblogsmuskat1
First time for the Japanese national anthem? I don’t think so. Not with Harry Carry in the booth all those years.