Chiba, Costco and a Great Story

It was Thursday, March 31st, the last day of our Japan Rail Pass. We were heading to Chiba, to meet up with our friend Dave Noe and go to Costco. Having obtained what we came for, we headed for the check out. As we waited for the customer in front of us to check out, I thought I recognized him. As I looked on, I realized I did now him and it was Bobby Valentine. I asked my wife if she recognized him and she didn't, I asked Dave and his friend and neither of them did, so I told them, that is the manager of the Lotte Marines.

Since we were next, I headed to the front of our group and made eye contact and said to him in English, congratulations on your victory over Rakuten, and that the score (26-0) was more like a softball game. Maybe it was because I spoke English, but he said it was nice to get their first victory and that Rakuten wasn't a good team - though he failed to acknowledge that the Eagles had beaten the Marines in their inaugural game, the day prior, a game played in Chiba.

Valentine then asked if I lived in Chiba and said that we should come out to the park that weekend as they were playing the Soft Bank Hawks. I told him that I didn't live in Chiba; rather my wife and I were visiting her parents and lived a ways away. Our conversation ended with me asking how often others recognize him and he said that they do, and they nod their head at which time he motioned across the store to someone doing just that, and if he stops, they might come up and ask for a photo - so much for my photo op! But I had something much more, a great story.

The irony to the story is that earlier in our trip, while visiting my wife's relatives, a cousin asked about hobbies, which lead to sports and the fact that I knew a fair amount about NBL. He then asked which was my favorite team, I replied Chiba, because Valentine was the manger.