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It was hard to figure out what to expect walking into Legends at 4pm on Monday for a press conference, as the Long Beach Armada introduced Hideki Irabu to the media. <\/span>On the one hand, this is a local independent team not likely to pull writers from the LA Times or the OC Register, much less ESPN. <\/span>On the other hand, Irabu was a Major League star, and one of the biggest names in the history of Japanese pro ball…that last fact is all you need to know about the press conference.<\/p>\n Irabu was practically swarmed by Japanese media, with multiple television cameras, and over a dozen reporters, peppering him with questions in Japanese. <\/span>“It’s different, how passionate they are about their own,” Armada General Manager Tony Soares said afterward. <\/span>Soares and Manager Garry Templeton sat with Irabu, and introduced him to the gathered press. <\/span>Templeton expressed optimism at the effect a vet like Irabu might have on his young ball club.<\/p>\n “We’re excited to have him on the ball club—the impact will be huge, and I think he can really help out the young kids. <\/span>Welcome, Hideki, and thanks for picking Long Beach,” he said, then turned the mic over to Irabu, who read a short statement in Japanese before fielding questions from reporters. <\/span>Press conferences are already strange enough when you could understand them, but I was disappointed to learn my four years of high school in Japanese allowed me to recognize two words: baseball, and house.<\/p>\n Fortunately, Irabu’s personal translator was on hand so he could field a few questions in English. <\/span>Asked whether or not his stop with the Armada was meant to be a stepping stone towards coming back to the American major leagues, Irabu smiled a little. <\/span>“I haven’t thought about it,” he said via the translator. <\/span>“My only thought now is trying to come back at all.”<\/p>\n With both Irabu and Jose Lima under contract with the Boys At Blair, it’s looking like a pretty exciting season. <\/span>“Yeah,” said Soares. <\/span>“They’re quite a combination.”<\/p>\n Irabu’s first game will be on the road @ Yuma on June 5th, and he’ll make his debut at Blair after the Armada return home the following week.<\/p>\n That’s a lot of cameras!<\/p>\n Checking out the new digs.<\/p>\n The paparazzi have arrived.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Irabu met with a large group of Japanese (and a smaller group of American) reporters on Monday at 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