Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

I can still remember the excitement of putting on the red jersey for first time, and it was the day I became a member of the Cardinal baseball program. I can not believe it has been four years since then. Now, it’s time for me to graduate — this is the end of the road. I wasn’t really successful as a baseball player, but the time I have spent on this team was by far the biggest experience of my American life and could be most fun four years of my life.

To Coach Whaley, I want to say more than thank you for giving me an opportunity to play baseball at Saint Mary’s. It meant a lot to me, because playing baseball was the best way for me to make friends, since I am not a native English speaker and not very talkative. It was a wonderful four years with the people I have met through baseball, and without those people, my four years of college could be wasted.

To former Cardinals: Tony Cic, Rink, Jose, Ryno, Coz, Reiter, Steve, Joe and Matt Popek, Chambers, Grant, and Buj —  it was great sharing time with all of you on and off the field. I learned so much from those times, and thank you so much for being great friends. And I want to say special thanks to Danny Fiorentino and Timmy Kreiser. You guys helped me so much and taught me so much. Thank you so much for everything!

To my fellow seniors: I am glad to have spent these four years with you guys, and I am honored to be graduating with you. All the times I have shared with you were precious and unforgettable. Kev: You were my text book in and out of season and on the field as well. Well, not quite off the field. The first word you said was a curse word, and I was so scared of you until we shared the seats together. Since then, you have been a great friend. You are the hardest-working guy I know, so I should put your name in my dictionary by the word of OUTSTANDING. Brady: The guy with nasty skills and hot bat. I enjoyed watching you on the field, especially the chest bump after hitting a grand slam. You were always by my side helped me to have positive thoughts, and it meant a lot to me. Thank you, Brady and I got your back! Dave: In Japan, we call a guy with short height and a huge inside a little giant. You fit the word perfectly. I will never forget the excitement of clutch hits you made. And good luck with your law school and I hope you can help me in the future when I get into big trouble. Mike: You get crazy sometimes, but I love it. I wish you could stay another summer and play for the Chiefs again. Then we could go eat wings on Wednesdays again! I wish I could hang around with you more, and we could play the Japanese baseball game. John: We actually started to get to know each other in Florida, and I wish we had started long before that. It was a short time, but I had so much fun with you.

Younger guys: It was my pleasure meeting you and getting to know you. I had a great time with you guys, and I can’t thank you enough. Robbie: It was fun racing to right field with you. And I wish you were at home more often. Alex: Where is the foo man chu? With that thing all the pitchers will be afraid to pitch to you. Brandon: Be careful with your gun. You will hurt someone at first. Andy: We should figure out shuuto ball before summer starts. Tyler: I will miss playing baseball with you. And get ready to face me during the summer! Clay: I will come back to see you dominate on the hill. Willy: Strike the batter and tell them these are NACHO pitches! Ding: Hit a bomb or GO HOME. Swenny: I still think that it was a pelican. Krausey: Don’t pump too much. NCAA will come to test you. Busch: I finally feel safe with my wrists. Kyle: Dominate the base paths. Fersch: We should go eat Chinese soon. DD: Be careful with fines. JJ: Would you pick up your phone sometime? Tweez: Eat something other than seeds. Gary: This is th@#$#$# WHAT??? Jake: Be happier or smile more often. Sam: Keep writing on tweez. Tim: HI Tim!!! Bogs: I want to see you on the mound again. And all the other guys, it’s been a quick year(s), but I had so much fun and have so many good memories with you guys. I wish you guys the best of luck for success in the remainder of your collegiate baseball career. And keep working hard — don’t ever quit, even though there are things you can not control.

I want to also thank a few other people: JP, Matt Mikes, Ben Linder, Al, and Joe Flynn. Thank you for your friendship, and support. It has been fun, and we’ve shared some great times.

Also, thank you so much to all the parents who have made it to the games and for supplying food between games. You have always been a great support to the program.

And Donny, thanks for the great web page and GameDay programs. My parents always enjoyed looking at those. 

Finally, I want give the biggest thank you to my parents. I am truly honored to be your son and I can not be more thankful than for giving me an opportunity to study abroad for almost eight years. There are so many things I should thank for, but since they can not read any English, I will send a letter to them in Japanese.

My career as a Cardinal is coming to an end, but our friendship will never end.

Thanks again everyone.

Go Cardinals!! Make us proud to be former Cardinals!