Japan next stop in Agbayani's career

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Benny Agbayani can add another chapter to his autobiography, "Big League Survivor."

"I'm still making good money, and I love the game," says Benny Agbayani about playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines. Advertiser library photo • Feb. 14, 2002

After spending parts of five seasons in the big leagues — four with the New York Mets, the organization that drafted him in the 30th round in 1993 — Agbayani has found life in the majors again. Only it's in a different country. He does not see this stint as a way to showcase his abilities for another chance in Major League Baseball. He views this as an extension of a career that has lasted longer than that of most 30th-round picks.

"By going there, it's not hurting me," the Saint Louis School graduate said. "I'm still making good money, and I love the game. I'm reunited with one of my managers. I know he's going to take care of me, so I have nothing to worry about."

Agbayani signed a one-year contract with the Marines for $460,000 in November. The Marines hired former Mets skipper Bobby Valentine to improve on a 68-69 record and fourth-place finish in the six-team Pacific League. This is Valentine's second stint with the Marines; he managed the team to second place in the Pacific League with a 69-58-3 record in 1995. (There are ties in Japanese baseball.) In 1996, Valentine was managing the Mets' Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk. That is when Agbayani first played for Valentine.

Agbayani left his Mexican Pacific winter league team (Los Mochis) in November to conduct his annual clinic in Hawai'i before going to Japan to meet with the Marines. Agbayani said the club seemed excited, as they remembered his game-winning, pinch-hit grand slam for the Mets against the Chicago Cubs in the 2000 season opener held at Tokyo Dome.

"They had a big reception at the airport and they have a big reception at the first day of practice," Agbayani said. "They're pretty excited because they remember me hitting the grand slam in Tokyo when I played with the Mets. It's pretty exciting for them and it's exciting for me."

Other Americans on the team are another former Met, first baseman Matt Franco, and pitcher Dan Serafini.

Agbayani said the team is paying for his housing in Japan. He said the condominium that he and some other players are staying in is about four blocks from Chiba Marine Stadium. Transportation also will be provided for players to the stadium. Agbayani said he will not drive in Tokyo, which is notorious for major traffic jams. The area will be convenient for his family — wife Niela and 2-year-old daughter Aleia will join him later — as there is a Costco near the stadium and Tokyo Disneyland is about a 15-minute train ride from where they will live.

"I'll adapt because I'm from Hawai'i," Agbayani said. "It's not going to be a big culture shock to me. I think going over in November for two weeks kind of helped me to see what it's all about. I thought it would be different, where the Japanese players wouldn't respect you because you're like a gaijin (foreigner). But the team I'm with has a bunch of good guys. Hopefully, we can win."

A translator has already been assigned to Agbayani to help him communicate. He said he took Japanese language in high school, "but when you never speak it you kind of lose track of it." He said he hopes to learn the Japanese language either through his interpreter or by taking lessons. He said he wants to be able to communicate with his teammates.

The one thing Agbayani noticed was that the Japanese practice longer hours and are into conditioning.

"When I came home after the two weeks, they said to make sure I run a lot because they do a lot of running," he said. "The way they make it seem, we'll be running forever."

Agbayani said that since the Mets' trip to Japan in 2000, he had always been open to playing there.

"Finally, I get the opportunity to go there, so hopefully the opportunity I have will be the best for me and my family," he said.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.