For the first time in more than 50 years, the Chunichi Dragons will open the season as Japan Series Champions.

You'd be forgiven for not knowing that.

The Dragons have mostly been out of the limelight while the exploits of the big-spending Yomiuri Giants and the daily trials and tribulations of rookie Sho Nakata among other things have dominated most of the headlines.

The Dragons, who return virtually intact from last season's title run, are just fine with all the attention everyone else is getting. As long as the spotlight is on them in November.

"Not at all," Dragons slugger Tyrone Woods said when asked if Chunichi felt slighted by all the attention the Giants in particular were getting. "We're the ones that won the championship. We don't care if everybody cares about the Giants. We just have to go out and play ball like we did last year.

"Hopefully if we keep winning, the fans are going to come around to Chunichi's side."

The fans will be firmly in their corner if newcomer Kazuhiro Wada can make a smooth transition from the Seibu Lions.

Chunichi signed the slugger to help offset Kosuke Fukudome's departure. The 2006 Central League MVP signed a free-agent deal with the Chicago Cubs over the winter.

"I think that we got better," Woods said. "But when you lose a guy like Fukudome it hurts. Yeah we won without him (injuries limited Fukudome to 81 games), but we would be that much better if he was still here.

"Since he's gone I wish him all the best," Woods said. "Hopefully Wada can come in and help us win another championship."

The 36-year old Wada's numbers have been on the decline in recent years but the Dragons are taking a gamble that he can have the type of resurgent season third baseman Norihiro Nakamura enjoyed last year.

Besides, Wada was brought in to contribute to the offense, not carry it.

That particular burden falls mostly on Woods' broad shoulders.

Chunichi's hard-hitting first baseman finished 2007 with 35 home runs (his fifth straight with at least 35) and 102 RBIs (his fourth straight with 100 or more) and is one of the CL's top run producers.

"He's the man," new addition Tomas de la Rosa said. "He's amazing. Since the first day I got here . . . he's the man."

The Florida native plans to be an even more dangerous hitter this season, setting a personal target of 50 home runs.

"I've been feeling good at the plate," Woods said. "But I'm still trying to put it all together. Futhermore, I'm feeling good and everybody is bonding here and getting along good as a team. Hopefully we can continue to do that."

The news hasn't been all good this spring, with left fielder Masahiko Morino sidelined because of a recent injury.

Morino has a fractured left hand and has been working out with the farm team.

Lee Byung Kyu has taken his place in the lineup and has done a decent job batting in front of Woods.

Morino is expected to return to the top team on Friday.

With the CL's opening weekend still more than a week away, the Dragons are just trying to get in the groove and prepare for the grind of the long season.

"It's still spring training," Woods said. "Still (playing) spring training games. We're still trying to put it all together and hopefully by the 28th we can do that."