Agbayani looking at Japan team
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
The former Saint Louis School and Hawai'i Pacific University star said yesterday he will travel to Japan tomorrow for a workout with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League.
Chiba recently hired Bobby Valentine, who managed the Marines in 1995 (second place, 69-58-3) before he became manager of the New York Mets' Triple-A team at Norfolk (Va.) in 1996, when Agbayani played there.
"He's been a big part of my career," Agbayani said of Valentine, who also was his manager with the Mets.
"I'll put my trust in him," Agbayani said.
Agbayani became a free agent when the Kansas City Royals did not re-sign him after playing for the club's Triple-A team in Omaha (Neb.) this past season. Agbayani was batting .282 for Los Mochis of the Mexican Pacific League, where he was playing winter ball before returning home to run his clinic.
"When I get (to Chiba), I have to show management how much I want to play," Agbayani said.
Meanwhile, it was fun and games at Agbayani's annual clinic yesterday at Central O'ahu Regional Park, where some 60 children took part in different drills with pointers from some of Hawai'i's pro baseball players, such as San Francisco Giants pitcher Jerome Williams (Waipahu '99) and Los Angeles Dodgers farmhand Shane Victorino (St. Anthony '99), who started the past season with the San Diego Padres as a Rule 5 draft pick.
"Good fun," Victorino said of the clinic. "It's nice of Benny to give back to the state of Hawai'i. I feel honored to be out here with Benny and (the other pro) guys."
Fourteen-year-old Kili Vierra, a freshman at Kailua High, who plans to try out for JV baseball, was thrilled about who was giving the instruction.
"It's special because they're professionals," Vierra said.
The players also got an extra treat as Saleva'a Atisanoe, known as Konishiki when he was active in sumo, gave a motivational speech.
The players were broken into groups of six to eight players, giving them more personal attention.
"We never had this opportunity," Agbayani said. "It's just something to give to the kids of Hawai'i."
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
