Kichigai for Kubs

Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano and newly acquired outfielder Kosuke Fukudome have become fast friends despite the fact that Fukudome's primary language is Japanese and he does not speak English or Spanish. Some of the Japanese media have even come up with a nickname for Zambrano -- kichigai. It means crazy person, lunatic, wild man ... you get the picture. I asked a Japanese reporter how to spell kichigai. She looks at me and goes, you mean Ozzie Guillen? He is the original kichigai. 

** I was impressed by the number of Cubs fans in attendance for the workouts in Mesa. It's hard to believe it's only Feb. 21 and the start of the season is about 90 days away when you see so many fans.

** Kerry Wood is in the running for the closer's job. My guess is he will end up pitching in the seventh or eighth inning because of his history of injuries. I know he has tons of fans in Texas rooting for him.

** Alfonso Soriano. He enjoys everyday on the field like it's his first. You gotta love that.

** Still think Ronny Cedeno would be a much better player than he is if he had a Latin influence (coach) take him under his wing. There are tons of Latinos on the Cubs but Cedeno is quiet and reserved, which means he can get lost in the crowd easily -- in any language. He needs a different type of attention.

** Carlos Marmol is looking, walking, talking and acting like a big leaguer. I'm not necessarily sure if that is a good thing or bad thing ...

** The most popular players from Japan currently playing in MLB, according to Sports Nippon Newspapers reporter Gotaro Nagase:

1. Ichiro

2. Hideki Matsui

3. Daisuke Matsuzaka

4. Hideo Nomo

5. Fukudome, Kenji Johjima, Kaz Matsui.

The next great player from Japan to play here will be right-handed pitcher Koji Uehara, Nagase says. Uehara is currently playing for the Yomiuri Giants.