A big wow for me. Yu Darvish, a major league pitcher of the San Diego Padres sent myself and GKJN a greeting letter!! As many of you may know, Yu played for the Chicago Cubs during the 2018 to 2020 season and really knows Chicago.
I met Yu when I was still in competition. I had a contracted gym – Dome Athlete House in Ariake, Tokyo – which is a gym that many professional athletes come. He also came during the off season. I really didn’t “meet” him but more close to “saw” him. I recognized him, but I doubted that he’d know me.
The location that reconnected me to Yu was the famous Korean BBQ Restaurant “Chicago Kalbi” This restaurant was a place the Ichiro had also visited followed by many Japanese Major Leaguers as sell as Rui Hahimura (NBA) and Kei Nishikori (Tennis) who would visit.
Mama-san Ms. Chiyo supported me (I love Korean BBQ) when I didn’t have my VISA and she was like my mom. She once brought up my name when the Darvish family was having dinner. Surprisingly Yu remembered my stoic training style. Since then I started exchanging messages and finally got approval to place his greeting message on my webpage. I strongly felt that training is vital and that Korean BBQ connect people – lesson learned.
Mr. & Mrs. Totsuka, the owners of Chicago Kalbi. Chiyo (Mrs.) even invited me to live with her😊!!
A lot of photographs and autographs of celebrities – a spot in Chicago.
Mine was placed where its very well seen!! Please come and see this when you come to Chicago.
Yu was very modest even in the messages to me where I also felt that I wanted to root for him as well. He claims me as one of his “Athlete Buddies in the US” that’s gonna make me work harder.
A very wonderful start of 2022 for GKJN!!
*Below is the message from Yu Darvish.
I fully support GKJN in its challenge in the US through Sports
Yu Darvish, San Diego Padres
Megumi, I congratulate your accomplishment of the founding of GKJN as well as the start of your activities in Chicago. As a same Japanese athlete, and challenging in the same United States, I respect your dream of making people happy through sports.
As you know, I did have an opportunity to play for the Chicago Cubs. The Chicagoans and the Japanese community in Chicago did help me very well. Living in a country with a difference not only in language but in culture as well, that alone is a huge challenge. Making success and opening new doors and opportunities would be even harder. But I do have faith in you as I have seen you work out so hard at the same gym as I did. Please believe in yourself, keep you dreams, and extend your activities from the United States to the world.
I too, as a Major League Baseball Player, will continue to play the best I can to become the kids dream. Let both of us work harder to fulfill the dreams of kids as well as ours!!
