Despite a lopsided 8-1 loss to the Yomiuri Giants in Game 1 of the Japan Series, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters manager Hideki Kuriyama came out in front of the media throng in a cheerful mode before Sunday's Game 2 at Tokyo Dome.
And the first word that came out of his mouth was sort of a joke. Referring to most of the reporters wearing dark suits, which is almost ritual for them at big games, the 51-year-old Kuriyama teasingly said, "You guys look frightening."
Kuriyama said that the loss in the first game hurt, but still expects his players to perform the way they've done all year — freely and boldly.