Let the hopes and dreams of Cub fans everywhere once again be raised to the heavens (perhaps irrationally) in the impending signing of Japanese baseball star Kosuke Fukudome.

Fukudome gives the Cubs a much needed left handed bat in the lineup, especially after trading Jacque Jones this off season.

Fukudome has been called a combination of the Yank’s Matsui and Seattle’s Ichiro; He is said to have a gun for an arm (like Ichiro). If Fukudome can get on base as much as Ichiro, and can get hits on “junk” pitches the way Ichiro has since coming to the Majors…I will be happy, as will all Cub fans…particularly after watching the flailings of Ramirez and Soriano in the post-season. But I digress.

I am excited by the prospect of Fukudome bringing some added excitement to Wrigley Field. I think we’re going to see an electricity in RF we haven’t seen since the days of Andre Dawson, and Sammy Sosa in his hey-day.

Prediction - Kosuke Fukudome jersey becomes the HOTTEST #1 selling jersey for the Cubs. Further, “wacky” home-made t-shirts by enterprising Wrigleyville entrepeneurs playing on Fuk-u-dome name also become HUGE sellers (a la “We got Wood,” “In Dusty We Trusty,” etc.) this season.

Let the Fukudome era begin! ようこそ 敬具