Sayonara, Tokyo
I think we're all really excited to get back to the United States. It was a fun experience over here and it was enjoyable, but I'm definitely excited to get home -- or at least to Los Angeles.
Food-wise, a lot of us are looking forward to having the comforts of home, and culture-wise, you feel more at home back in America, just speaking the language and little things like that. I think the biggest thing for us is just trying to get acclimated again once we get there, and getting back on the time.
We know going back will be tougher than coming here as far as the time change, but the biggest thing is that we have an off-day, and hopefully we can get back on our schedules in a timely manner. Those games against the Dodgers this weekend don't matter in the standings, so we can kind of have a few more days just to get back in sync. Hopefully that will help us out a lot.
Now we've been able to see what Dice-K and Okajima go through on a daily basis as far as living in a different culture. You get an even bigger respect for them and you understand what they go through. It takes a toll on you to have to deal with the other culture, and finding food. It's very tough for those guys to find stuff that tastes like home. I think people don't realize how tough it is and now we've gotten a taste of it.
On the way to Los Angeles, they want you to sleep for four hours. Who knows? The one thing I know is that you have to just try to get back on time as soon as possible. It could take two days, it could take a week. The biggest thing is just trying to get the right amount of sleep, and at the right time, and not take long naps during the day. You might have to go a couple of days without getting much sleep, and then hopefully you're so tired at some point that you'll just fall asleep at 12 and get about eight hours.
As far as what I'll take with me from this trip, I'll definitely remember the city and all the great things we saw and the overall experience of being in another country. Of course, I'll remember the food -- and how good it was -- and the people and how respectful they were.
For us, it was just fun to go around and eat the sushi and the Matsuzaka beef, stuff like that, just to try new things.
It's funny because you eat a lot of sushi here and the next day you feel really light and you feel like you lost weight. That's a little different than American food, where you eat a lot and you feel like you're gaining weight. That's probably the one thing we'll take away is that maybe eating a lot of sushi is healthy for you. Maybe I'll implement it in the diet a little more once we get back home.
When we got out there for Opening Day on Tuesday, it actually just felt like a normal game. We were just in a different environment and different stadium. It was a great win, too, and hopefully it will carry over. Every time we take the field -- even in the exhibition games we played here -- it felt normal from a baseball standpoint.
I think this trip was fun. We had a great time. But we'll see how it is going back. We'll see how it plays out in the end. Hopefully we can get just get back on schedule and be good to go for the next 160 games.
Hey Kevin,I've enjoyed reading about your experience in Tokyo. Sounds like you've really had a good time. Although, I'd like to ask what the heck you were doing stretching on the field during opening ceremonies Tues. night? It was almost like you were part of the ceremony with all those dancers. That was just hilarious man!
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youk, just got out of work, upstairs in computer room at work, hopefully sox make another comeback win, will be leaving shortly for home, have a great flight back to LA!!!takecare!!!GO RED SOX!!!!
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glad you enjoy the experience over there!! Can't wait for the battle against Tore and also can't wait for home opener!!
GO SOX!!!
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Kevin, Pilots fly back and forth to Tokyo all the time, now you know what it is like.
good luck for an injury free season.
Congrats on your marriage.
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I am glad you enjoyed the experience. I am a big Dice-K fan living in Tokyo. I was at the stadium. It was one of the greatest experience for me as well. I was so used to watching Boston's game 7 o'clock in the morning Tokyo time. So, it was refreshing to watch it at night. I just want to thank you guys for making this trip over here. It was a lifetime experience to see the real MLB game live. I believe the Red Sox nation is ever expanding. Thank you again and hope the jet lag will not be that bad for you.
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Thank you for the post, Youk. Looking forward to seeing you guys play this year. Always enjoy the solid job you do.
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Youk,
Thanks for the posts they were great. I am also glad you enjoyed your time in Japan. I really think it is great that you and Shilling share your thoughts like you do, it gives your fans insight to what and how you feel. Thanks agian and good luck...GO SOX!!!!!
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Enjoy reading the blog. Hope you get some sleep. A good friend of the family is one of the original Dodgers that will be honored at the game Saturday night. I would have loved to be there, but recovering from surgery instead.
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youk, i hope the team get lots of sleep, hopefully it willnot take many days to get back to a regular routine, takecare, GO SOX!!!!!
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Kevin,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. What an incredible life memory for all of you, and us!! We'll be glad to see you all back safe and sound, and are CRAZY HAPPY that the baseball season is BAAAACK!!
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Kev,
I'm glad you Guy's enjoyed your trip. I can't wait until your back home in Boston! I will be in the stands on 4/08 OD to see the 2008 banner raised in person. Take Care, and stay healthy for the season. GO SOX 2008!!!
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Kev,
I'm glad you Guy's enjoyed your trip. I can't wait until your back home in Boston! I will be in the stands on 4/08 OD to see the 2007 banner raised in person. Take Care, and stay healthy for the season. GO SOX 2008!!!
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Hi, Youk! Thank you for coming to Japan! I know Boston is very far from Japan, but seemed like you enjoyed staying Japan! As a Japanese, I was so happy to know people from different country enjoy my culture. Please visit Japan again and eat Japanese food! By the way, I went to see 1st and 2nd game in Tokyo!!!!
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yooooouk!
i was in Japan for the series and let me say game 1 was awsome! i hope you guys got stuck into Moss for his HR and Ellsbury for the catch, those 2 plays saved it.
i'm happy you enjoyed it Kev. i realized when i landed how different it was (I'm from Hong Kong) from the U.S and was nervous about how the boys would go, but you were all settled so it was awsome (well except for Dice-k in the 1st)
have a good one man and good luck for the rest of the season!
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12 more days to opening day at FENWAY PARK!!!!! YEAH!!! the red sox get their rings and the championship banner over THE WALL!!!! and the place goes WILD!!!!! i will be there for all 3 tiger games, GO SOX!!!!!!
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youk, why did terry francona play coco crisp and not jacoby ellsbury in 2 nd game, jacoby played a great game on tuesday and a tremendous catch, and why did brandon moss 1 of the heroes of game 1 get sent down to pawtucket, thank u, takecare, GO SOX!!!!
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Youk,
Whats happening buddy? This is BK, (Bryan Kent), from Texas and your old roommate in the early days with the sox. We havent talked in forever. Its been awesome watching you play and even better seeing the sox win it all. I sure am proud for you. You need to contact me when ya'll come to Arlington to play the Rangers. Take care and good luck.
Kent
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Youk,
Was checking out the Cinci baseball page and saw this link. How similar was Japan compared to Taiwan when we went? Congrats on everything.
Moore
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Hi Kevin Youklis check tis website out this is simply amazing!!!!!. Foward this to as many friends you know and your teammates. This viedo a friend send to me touched my heart and this will touch your heart. Will you comment on this viedo Kevin.
www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm
From, Jeff
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Hey Youk - Thanks for sharing about your trip to Tokyo. What an amazing experience. All of a sudden I have a craving for sushi. I can't wait for you guys to get back to Boston though. The city just isn't the same in the off season. Good luck in Oakland!
Kate
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youk did u and your teamates go to your brothers restaurant to eat while ur in oakland? GO SOX!!!! hope team is getting more sleep and getting back to a regular routine
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youk, congrats on your record setting errorless streak, keep it going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go red sox!!!!!! u will be getting many praises come opening day, gold glove award, errorlesss streak and your championship ring!!!!!!! going to be 52* on opening day, nice!!!!!!
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Hey Kevin,
I'm bummed, I hadn't realized you had blogged all this time; guess I've got some back reading to do.
GREAT COUPLE OF GAMES. Welcome back to the USA. :)
What, no more sushi??? I'm so addicted to it, I can't imagine being sick of it.
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Congrats on the record!! It's an incredible accomplishment!
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Youk, the best part of your Japanese experience is the depth of realization that your team mates experience considering the "Culture Shock" of leaving home and not being able to communicate! ... such a burden of language difficulties!
The 2007 season proved the "heart" of the team, backing, bonding, and supporting your new team mates, and winning the World Series....once again, it proves that the players are the premier members of redsoxnation!
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CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RECORD KEVIN!!! You would think the media would be making a bigger deal out of it. It's no small feat, and I'm glad it was a dirt dog that did it!
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We are glad you are home and winning. I was worried about jet lag. Now it is time to repeat!
http://myteamrivals.typepad.com/redsoxramblings/
http://myteamrivals.typepad.com/yankeesredsox/
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dont worry about the ''hockey'' jinx,,he likes todd jones but leans to sox,,was just a misquote,,lol
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Hey Youk!
You're doing great so far this season.
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do u read ur comments? i l luv da sox. u dont kno how much. really. i watch every game and i am only 13! congrats on being a golden glover. japan must have been wicked. i wish won a ticket, but i had a state track meet. i did well 2! anyway lets hope for another repeat dis year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <333333333333333333
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youk!! ill be seeing you on tuesday! we're already camping out at fenway!!!
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no worry guys,,,hockey hasn't got home yet to let us all know the youk had a good game with 3hits and a sf,,,wtg Youk,,,well we r glad there was no 'hockey' jinx some of ya thought his comments about tigers waking up at fenway was gonna jinx us,,well at least not 1st game...congrats youk on ring and a good game,,,good pitching by the dicester,,hope u enjoyed the game jenmu
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that is right bosox i was at the game had a great time, the red sox fans gave bill buckner a standing ovation for 2 minutes and bill buckner deservedevery minute of it!!!! bill forgave the media and fans for what bill had to go thru the past 22 years!!!! i knew bill buckner was throwing out the first pitch before alot of other peopl and where i was sitting, i told everybody, they wanted to know how i knew, friends with 3 ushers, they told me!!!!! bill buckner is a great guy and bill loved it today!!!!! yes the 2 heroes of the game were dice-k and youk!!!!!! great sunny day today, was very comfortable at park!!!! go sox!!!!!!
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great defensive game youk!!! and clutch double too!!!! GO SOX!!!!
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ok hockey everyone has clapped now,,,pwiner want you to try the new chinese dish chein wang,,might help u find a ''hockey'' blog,,tmac says does he know this is baseball,,we had to inform her thatu weren't sure,,anyway youk hanging at 3rd is doing well there,,lets get these yankees,,,pwiner will be all ova hockey's ice,,,lol
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hi tmac, i know this is baseball, know many sports!!!!!!! youk is doing great at 3rd, that is where youk came up in minors playing 3rd base, then last 2 years youk has been at first, no matter where u put youk , he does a tremendous job!!!!!! youk gives 110% all the time, great hustler!!!!! hopefully sox take next 2, that was a great pitch game by wang pwiner, whenever someone pitches great pwiner, i will applaud them!!!!! he won 19 games last year afterall, so u know that was no fluke!!!! go sox!!!!!!!!
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I just love the RED SOX, your win last night over the Yankees was amazing. Everyone on the team is a team player but what Papelbon did was over the top!!! Thank you so much for all your talents. Keep on doing what you do best and may you continue to enjoy it even more than you already do!
janet(a totally addicted and dedicated fan from Ohio)
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HANK STEINBRENNER is alot meaner and not as smart as his father!!!!!!!!!! RED SOX NATION LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!! GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I think Youk has done an amazing job stepping in for Mike Lowell. He has produced with his glove and his bat. Very impressive.
Steve
http://soxblog.mlblogs.com
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hi steve, ur right on the money about youk!!!! GO SOX< hope the sox beat the pants off the yankees and hank steinbrenner, hank is a very rude and unnecessary comments are bad too, should have learned from his father, his father has CLASS!!! not HANK!!!!!
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people should accept the people the way they are, noone has to change for anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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youk you played great tonight as did everyone! especially manny!
hooray that papi's slump is over! i don't know if you all are superstitious but i told my friend that papi would come back as soon as they removed the red sox jersey with his name on it that was buried in the new yankee stadium.
cheers from
the astrology lady,
magdalen
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Hey Kevin,
Thanks for all the information about your trip to Japan. As a displaced member of Red Sox Nation living in the "south", i find it hard most of the time to keep up with what's going on with the team. It's also hard to be a red sox fan down here, cause there are so many damned Yankee's fans. Thanks for the wins this weekend, btw.
It's amazing that you could give us the insider's perspective on what it was like for the players in Japan. It's turning into great fodder for an essay for one of my classes.
Keep up the amazing work, and is it too early to wonder about a repeat performance of '04 or '07???
Thanks,
JML
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sorry to hear about joba chamberlin of yankees ill father, but now there is no chance that joba will throw at youk!!! thank goodness!!!!!!!!!! GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The great rivalry is back on tonight!! Playing the Yanks must beat anything that happened in Japan. Please take both games in the Bronx!
http://www.myteamrivals.typepad.com/yankeesredsox/
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hopefully wang is not as great as last week, he was very tought last week. go sox!!!!!
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Joba was not throwing at youk,,what was wang tought>?..guess its 'tough',,no tmac,,its not a hockey word,,and this is not a hockey blab,,guy just likes youk,,anyway where r u YOUK,,no response since japan??..ahh,,forgot,,getting things done for the up coming wedding,,congrats to u and the missus,,say hey to cuz mike in cinci
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sorry people misspeled the word tough, hey pwiner have not heard from u in a while, hope ur ok , talk soon, go sox!!!!!!!
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joba threw over 95 mph fastballs near youk's head, 1 is not an accident but is trying to get youk hurt!!!! BEANBALL SHOULD NOT BE IN BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!
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Youk is seeing the ball really well. Should beat Wang tonight if Buchholz can keep the Yanks down.
Steve
http://soxblog.mlblogs.com
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youk hope your foot is ok, sox need you!!!!!!!!! go sox, hopesox comeback to win this never ending wild game!!!!!! only the greatest rivarly in sports can play a great game like tonight!!!!!!
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yes joba chamberlain did try to hit youk last year 2 times, people donot believe me, people have told me so!!! should not be BEAN BALL IN BASEBALL< players have lives, and should not try to hurt other players, not right!!!! go sox!!!!
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Youk,,,,495 by the man[ny] how great was that!..
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Attention Youk/ Sox Fans:
Youk, Clearly you have turned out to be a great and true franchise Sox guy. I hope that When it comes time for contract talks they give you what you need to stay for a long time. While I know that anywhere you go you will be great, I do know that nobody will love you like we do!
A Note To Sox Fans:
The 98mph head shot by Kyle Farnsworth last night not only made me think that he was scared to pitch to Manny (fear of not being able to keep him in the yard) but also reminded me of Mike Coolbaugh. the triple-A player/ coach killed last year during a game when he was hit by a foul ball as first base coach. Of course that incident was a total accident, I would like to post the information for the memorial fund for his family. If you aren't familiar with the story I would like to post the link. They had 2 kids and an unborn child when Mike was killed. I heard about it during the World Series when the Rockies gave a small bonus share to the family but the story that ran recently on Real Sports on HBO was just so sad that I wated to post this.
If you love the game of baseball and understand and appreciate what he gave to the game maybe, if you can, you could donate something to the family.
http://sports.espn.go.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=2945798
Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund
c/o Spirit Bank
1800 S. Baltimore Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74119
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Things are awfully tight in the American League East!!! No cushy lead for the overrated Red Sox this season. What a difference a year makes, huh? Ha-ha!
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What's up guys? It looked as though it was going to be another heartbreaker for the Sox last night after Lester pitched a gem. But Pedroia saved the day and if Vernon Wells doesn't bobble Youk's single to center, they may have nailed Papi at the plate. So, once again the Sox get a little magic in that little league field they call Fenway Park! Ha-ha!
Where's your boy Youk? I think he's too good to talk to his fans anymore.
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Clutch hit by Youk last night...and awesome pitching by Jon Lester..it feels great to end the streak.
http://www.myteamrivals.typepad.com/redsoxramblings
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I heard last week from the Red Sox radio guys that Clay Bucholtz was the fastest runner on the team. Can someone ask Tito why he isn't used as a pinch runner on his off days? Plenty of fast pitchers have done this frequently in the past, including about half of the star Braves pitchers of the last two decades.
Three situations in two days and he wasn't used - there must be some reason.
Youk- do you read your own Blog? Can you reply about this?
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Hey Youk,
Just wanted to send congrats to you on the game winning hit you had the other night and Varitek last night. You guys are awesome! I hope you can blog soon as there are a lot of people who come here to see what you have to say. Great job filling in at 3rd while Lowell was on the mend. Great to see Mike back in action. We missed him.
Hockey, Im sure Youk appreciates all the nice things you say about him. I wish more people looked for the positive things in life and not the negative so much. Youk is lucky to have you for a friend. Post away, I like to hear what you have to say. Tell Youk to blog soon, ok?
Pwiner, maybe this is the year we convert you to be a SOX fan! LOL.
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Glad to seeing you bloggin'! Can't wait to see you and the boys here in KC in August!!!
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hockey, when you expect Youk to do all this blogging? They only get two days off a month. After finishing up 4 days in Detroit they fly off to their next location. I'm still trying to figure out when they sleep?!?!? It's amazing Youk has blogged as much as he has.......THANKS
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Youk still hasn't updated this stinkin page! He's Mr. Big Shot now that he's hitting home runs. He's much too busy for his fans....and his haters! Haha!
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Hey Youk, You have been unbelievably HOT lately. Keep it up. The Sox needs to string some wins together to get back in first and keep the Yanks in the cellar . Hopefully you guys can do that on this homestand. We are reduced to talking about home cooking and the weather forecast. Help us out. Please blog!!!!!
Hey Hockey, hope you are doing great too, thanks for asking.
Go Dice K and Go Sox! Lets get back on track starting tonight.
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Hey Youk are you guys into fantasy baseball? I've always wondered if athletes are into fantasy baseball too. If so, would you have you on your team playing first or do you think it would be too much preasure. Would you have Pujols on first? I have you on my fantasy team...can you hook a brotha up with a Homer his weekend? No preasure hahahaha, GO REDSOX!!!!! Stick with the team man, don't be a Damon and chace that money. I'll start a Youk fund just to get you paid brotha'. You and Manny are my favorite players, oh, and big Papi too.
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Hey Youk,
You are in a groove. WOW! The Sox are on a roll. Many, many congrats to Lester on his no-hitter last night. Red Sox Nation is soooooo proud! Jacoby just continues to amaze me with his phenomenal catches and lightening speed. What a catch last night!
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