It was hard to figure out what to expect walking into Legends at 4pm on Monday for a press conference, as the Long Beach Armada introduced Hideki Irabu to the media.  On the one hand, this is a local independent team not likely to pull writers from the LA Times or the OC Register, much less ESPN.  On the other hand, Irabu was a Major League star, and one of the biggest names in the history of Japanese pro ball…that last fact is all you need to know about the press conference.

Irabu was practically swarmed by Japanese media, with multiple television cameras, and over a dozen reporters, peppering him with questions in Japanese.  “It’s different, how passionate they are about their own,” Armada General Manager Tony Soares said afterward.  Soares and Manager Garry Templeton sat with Irabu, and introduced him to the gathered press.  Templeton expressed optimism at the effect a vet like Irabu might have on his young ball club.

“We’re excited to have him on the ball club—the impact will be huge, and I think he can really help out the young kids.  Welcome, Hideki, and thanks for picking Long Beach,” he said, then turned the mic over to Irabu, who read a short statement in Japanese before fielding questions from reporters.  Press conferences are already strange enough when you could understand them, but I was disappointed to learn my four years of high school in Japanese allowed me to recognize two words: baseball, and house.

Fortunately, Irabu’s personal translator was on hand so he could field a few questions in English.  Asked whether or not his stop with the Armada was meant to be a stepping stone towards coming back to the American major leagues, Irabu smiled a little.  “I haven’t thought about it,” he said via the translator.  “My only thought now is trying to come back at all.”

With both Irabu and Jose Lima under contract with the Boys At Blair, it’s looking like a pretty exciting season.  “Yeah,” said Soares.  “They’re quite a combination.”

Irabu’s first game will be on the road @ Yuma on June 5th, and he’ll make his debut at Blair after the Armada return home the following week.

That’s a lot of cameras!

Checking out the new digs.

The paparazzi have arrived.