TOKYO -- Joe Torre walked up to Don Zimmer on the patio of
the U.S. ambassador's residence Wednesday.
"You use those chopsticks?" the New York Yankees asked his
former bench coach,
"Not me," answered Zimmer, starting his first season as senior
adviser for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Before finishing their two-game series, several players from the
teams were invited to a reception by Howard Baker, the U.S.
ambassador to Japan, marking the 150th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between the counties. Japan signed the Treaty of Kanagawa
on March 31, 1854, ending 200 years of isolation after Commodore
Matthew Perry sailed into Edo Bay leading several ships.
"Fans in both countries share a common love for the game of
baseball," commissioner Bud Selig said. "We're committed to
growing our friendship with Japan, our most important international
partner."
Tampa Bay owner Vince Naimoli and Yankees outfielder Hideki
Matsui made presentations. Among those who attended were Alex
Rodriguez and Derek Jeter of the Yankees and Devil Rays manager Lou
Piniella.
"I am very happy that this world stage is given to me," Matsui
said through a translator.
There have been nearly three dozen tours of Japan by various
major league teams, including All-Star groups, since 1908. In the
past year, Major League Baseball has opened an office in Japan, in
the same building that houses the offices of the Japanese
commissioner's office.
"In 150 years, the United States and Japan have come to share a
passion for freedom, for free markets, for democracy and justice
and of course, for baseball," Baker said. "This game ... is a
bond like no other that our nations share."
Baker quoted from the diary Joseph Grew, the U.S. ambassador
from 1932-42, who hosted Babe Ruth in the very same residence.
"Of course, all of Japan has gone wild over him," Grew wrote.
"He is a great deal more effective as an ambassador than I am."
And then Baker added: "The same can be said of the young men
from the Yankees and Devil Rays here today."