It's only a matter of time before Japanese kids, dreaming of a career in baseball, will overlook Japanese baseball altogether, setting their sights on the majors. Some see danger signs already. Average attendance for Japan's two main leagues, the Central League and Pacific League, is down slightly from last year, and ratings for televised games have dipped. Some argue that fans are bored by the domination this season of the Yomiuri Giants, likened here to the often overpowering New York Yankees. But it's difficult to ignore the cheers heard here for Suzuki during Mariners' games, broadcast by the national NHK network, which doesn't divulge its ratings.
Fans clearly like what they see.
The atmosphere in the majors is so different. Suzuki banged out two hits and drove in a run. Compared to that, Japanese play is almost monotonous. Something is missing. Baseball is a team sport, but a star makes the game so exciting.