Between Dave Roberts (half-Japanese) and Johnny Damon (half-Thai - although this Southeast Asian assumes his capacity for growing facial hair comes from the Amerian side), the Sox have got the half-Asian fanbase all sewn up. Helps too when they score tying and winning runs on back-to-back days. There may have been better individual postseason games (Game 6, 1975? Twins-Braves, Game 7, 1991?), but for two in a row this is hard to beat. Here’s a good interview with Roberts from his Dodgers days, talking about his roots:
trekiev: I see that you were born in Japan, do you speak Japanese? How do you get along with the other Japanese players?
Roberts: I can understand it a little, but Nomo, Ishii and I don’t engage in many long-winded conversations. But we get along great and they’re great teammates.
***
H_Wang: Since being born in Japan, have you gone back to visit Japan?
Roberts: Yes, I go back there every offseason to visit friends and family. The support from the Japanese people has been awesome.
Also non-ethnicity questions, obviously. I love Roberts’ base stealing confidence:
Base_Ball: Dave Roberts, how does it feel every time you steal a base?
Roberts: The best part of stealing a base is before I steal. Knowing that everyone in the ballpark knows I’m going to steal really gets my adrenaline going.
***
mnu998: Do you think you will beat your career high in SBs this season?
Roberts: Without a doubt.
So Ichiro’s not the only base stealing threat born in Japan. What a pickup by Theo.
(Cross-posted on Sons of Sam Horn)