Ryan Theriot is innocent.
“No, I didn’t have anything to do with that,” the Cubs shortstop said in reference to the prank a collection of Cubs players pulled on conditioning coach Tim Buss on March 18, which left Buss’ ’95 Nissan Sentra in total ruin before they revealed a brand new 2008 Nissan Xterra for his troubles.
However, Theriot’s teammates did involve their new opening day shortstop in the gag somehow.
“Two of my bats were broken on his car,” he said.
What Theriot can claim is his work in assimilating the Cubs’ new Japanese right fielder, Kosuke Fukudome, to the team as well as the States.
“It’s got to be difficult to do what he’s doing,” said Theriot, who hit .266 in 148 games last season and took over at shortstop when Cesar Izturis was traded.
“I know it’s something that I would probably struggle with a little bit … it’s a long bus ride to Tucson [Ariz., from Scottsdale], it probably gets boring not being able to communicate with anybody. We try to chat with him a little bit, he teaches me some Japanese, I’ll do the same with English as well. … He’s going to help us win and he’s going to be a big part of this ballclub. The more comfortable he feels, the faster he’s going to start to make an impact.”
Via his interpreter, the former Chunichi Dragons star said that out of all his new teammates, he’s closest with Theriot. Fukudome made a short visit to Chicago back in December when he signed with the team, but describes it as “a very beautiful city.”
As far as how he’ll adjust to Wrigley Field’s outfield wall, he had this to say: “Billy Williams gave me few tips on how to play the ivy wall. And I can’t tell you the details.”
While Fukudome is getting used to American cuisine, such as the occasional hamburger or pork chops at Don and Charley’s Steakhouse Restaurant in Scottsdale, Theriot, a Louisiana native hasn’t found anything in Chicago that can compare to the Cajun food back home.
“I don’t see Chicago — or Illinois for that matter — starting to produce a pretty good crawfish crop anytime soon,” he said, laughing. “I’ll have to wait till I get back home for that.”
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CARLOS MARMOR, RP
After a brilliant rookie campaign, many had Marmol pegged as the Cubs closer. However, manager Lou Piniella chose Kerry Wood as his closer, leaving Marmol as a setup man to start the season.
GEOVANY SOTO, C| One of the best young catchers in the game, Soto will be the Opening Day starting catcher
FELIX PIE, OF
After a few years of being the Cubs’ wunderkind in camp, the potential fivetool player will start the season in center field. The Cubs added some insurance in Reed Johnson, who was signed on Tuesday and can play all three outfield positions.
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Ryan Corazza is a RedEye special contributor
