Rob Smaal - The Japan Times

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Rob Smaal

For Rob Smaal's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

BASEBALL / MLB

Nov 23, 2002

Dodgers closer Gagne would rather be chasing a hockey puck in NHL

Eric Gagne is a 25-year-old pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After three rather unspectacular years as a starting pitcher with the Dodgers, the Montreal native was converted to a closer prior to this past season.

BASEBALL / MLB

Nov 17, 2002

Move north paid off for Blue Jays' Hinske

Funny how things work out sometimes.

BASEBALL / MLB

Nov 12, 2002

Japan draws first blood

The fans may have come out to see major-league stars like Ichiro Suzuki, Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi, but it was a local boy who stole the show.

BASEBALL / MLB

Nov 8, 2002

Lil' Angel packs big league punch

The knock on Japanese players used to be that they were too small and underpowered to make it in North America's big leagues. But with the recent success of the Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki, that argument has been laid to rest.

BASEBALL / MLB

Oct 27, 2002

Giants upstage Lions' Matsuzaka

The Koji Uehara Show took center stage Saturday night, playing to a packed house at the Tokyo Dome in Game 1 of the 2002 Japan Series.

MORE SPORTS

Oct 5, 2002

Thai challenger Srichaphan boots Hewitt at Japan Open

Lleyton Hewitt may be the No. 1 tennis player in the world, but Friday afternoon at Tokyo's Ariake Colosseum he played second fiddle to a little-known slugger from Thailand.

MORE SPORTS

Sep 20, 2002

Life is good in Serena's world

Closing in on her 21st birthday, Serena Williams seems to have it all: No. 1 in the world in women's tennis, four Grand Slam singles titles to her credit, 17 victories on the WTA Tour, an Olympic gold medal (in doubles with sister Venus), over $9 million in prize money (plus who knows how much in lucrative endorsement contracts), her own clothing line and -- perhaps most impressive of all -- she and Venus have been featured on the animated hit TV series "The Simpsons."

MORE SPORTS

Sep 19, 2002

Serena blasts out of blocks

The Serena Williams traveling tennis clinic rolled into Tokyo on Wednesday and, in this land of sushi, it was doughnuts that Williams had on her mind.

BASEBALL / MLB

Aug 1, 2002

'Rami' has Swallows fans squealing with delight

Call him the Shigeki Maruyama of Japanese baseball, with a little Tony Robbins thrown in for good measure.

SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE

Jul 21, 2002

The Cro pipes off on juiced players, bad-karma Bud

Just wind him up and watch him go! Warren Cromartie, who thrilled Yomiuri Giants fans from 1984-1990 not only with his stellar play but also with his banzai-inducing antics in the outfield, was back in Japan recently over the All-Star break.

BASEBALL / MLB

Jul 14, 2002

Another stop on All-Star circuit for Powell

Jeremy Powell took the mound Saturday for the Pacific Leaguers in the second installment of the 2002 All-Star Series, it marked the first time in 41 years that a foreign pitcher from the Kintetsu Buffaloes had taken part in Japan's annual midsummer classic.

SOCCER / World cup

Jun 28, 2002

Brazil's Ronaldo hopes to cap comeback with World Cup title

SAITAMA -- "I had two years of suffering," Brazil striker Ronaldo said Wednesday evening after putting his side into the World Cup final. "Every time I score a goal is a victory, every time I enter the pitch is a joy and an honor."

SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE EXTRA

Jun 27, 2002

Observations from the other side

It's almost over now, and I have to admit it's been a lot less painful than anticipated.

SOCCER / World cup

Jun 9, 2002

Croatians stun Italy to stay alive

IBARAKI -- After an opening match loss to Mexico, it looked like the Croatian soccer team would be here just long enough to sample a little sushi, maybe check out Tokyo Tower and then jet off back to Europe.

SOCCER / World cup

Jun 6, 2002

Ireland holds Germany to 1-1 draw

IBARAKI -- Once again the opposition wore green, but this time they actually put up a fight.

SOCCER / World cup

Jun 3, 2002

England thwarted by Swedish jinx as teams draw 1-1

SAITAMA -- Thirty-four years and counting.

BASEBALL / MLB

Apr 27, 2002

Trey bien! Hanshin hurler Moore off to hot start

Don't be fooled by the menacing fu-manchu and the pitcher's glare. Hanshin Tigers left-hander Trey Moore is actually a friendly, down-to-earth family man from Texas, but don't tell opposing hitters that.

MORE SPORTS

Mar 28, 2002

Bunnies slip past Bears in final

It may be a Canadian game, and it was being played in Japan, but when all was said and done, it was the Swedish connection that came through at crunch time.

MORE SPORTS

Mar 25, 2002

Kokudo squares series, sets up deciding Game 5

It's down to one more game for all the marbles, the whole ball of wax, the big enchilada (* insert own cliche here).

MORE SPORTS

Mar 22, 2002

Revenge time: Bunnies jump all over Seibu

It was time for a little payback.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.

For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on

By Lance Henderstein

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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