02-11-2009, 09:51 PM
<!--quoteo(post=17438:date=Feb 11 2009, 07:33 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Feb 11 2009, 07:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Nao Masamoto, the video coordinator for the Cubs, visited Fukudome twice this offseason, once in early December and again in January, to check on his workout program. Masamoto's prediction for the Japanese outfielder in 2009?
"I don't think he'll be as good [for the whole season] as what he did last April," Masamoto said Wednesday of Fukudome, "but, overall, he'll do fine and better than what he did last year for sure. There's no doubt in my mind."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Masamoto's mission was to make sure Fukudome was following the Cubs' workout regimen, which focused on adding more core exercises. Masamoto said he saw a definite improvement in the month between visits.
"He was doing great -- it was awesome," Masamoto said. "He was better [in January] than what I saw in December. It seems like the message got through to him."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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Unless he was watching him take a whole lot of BP against major league breaking balls, it means absolutely nothing.
"I don't think he'll be as good [for the whole season] as what he did last April," Masamoto said Wednesday of Fukudome, "but, overall, he'll do fine and better than what he did last year for sure. There's no doubt in my mind."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Masamoto's mission was to make sure Fukudome was following the Cubs' workout regimen, which focused on adding more core exercises. Masamoto said he saw a definite improvement in the month between visits.
"He was doing great -- it was awesome," Masamoto said. "He was better [in January] than what I saw in December. It seems like the message got through to him."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Link
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Unless he was watching him take a whole lot of BP against major league breaking balls, it means absolutely nothing.