Fukudome: How do you pronounce his last name?

Fuk-u-do-me? 

The Cubs are the reigning National League Central Division Champions. 

Last season was the Cubs’ first divisional triumph since their debacle in the 2003 National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins. Well, we all know how that turned out. 

Dreams were crushed, and just another heartbreak for us Cubs fans.

This year the right fielder is not Sammy Sosa, but none other than Kosuke Fukudome.  If Fukudome continues the torrid pace he began the season with, the Cubs will have a right fielder for a good portion of the future. 

Fukudome is what Sosa was not. 

Of course, they both have a flare for the dramatic and the undying love of the right field bleacher bums.  Of course, it didn't take long for the bleacher bums to begin loving Fukudome. 

Even now they are dawning headbands with a Japanese symbol on it. 

Sosa was always famous for his salute to the right field fans, and their love for him was always evident.  After Sept. 11, 2001 Sosa ran onto the field for the Cubs first game since the attacks carrying a small United States flag. 

When they won the division in 2003, Sosa drenched the right field fans in champagne to celebrate the win.

Now the Sosa era is over and for the first time since the debacle of a departure done by Sosa in 2004, the Cubs seem to have a steady right fielder. 

Fukudome may not be the stereotypical young, vibrant rookie one would expect in Chicago, but he does have charisma that hasn't been seen in Chicago in a while. 

Fukudome seems to have all the tools to be a star in this league. 

He has a great arm, a stellar eye at the plate, lots of speed, and the ability to hit anywhere in the lineup.  Couple all of these traits with a lineup that already features Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano and the Cubs pack quite a punch. 

For opposing pitchers, figuring how to get Fukudome out is just as hard as trying to pronounce his last name. 

Now just imagine Harry Caray trying to pronounce his last name.  There's a laugh for you.  

Cubs’ fans will be sure to enjoy Fukudome during his stay in Chicago.  We know the bleacher fans already do.