CUTLINE: Chicago Cubs’ Kosuke Fukudome of Japan, catches a ball in the outfield at baseball spring training Monday, Feb. 25, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.
The Chicago Cubs are counting on a power surge to lead them into the playoffs in 2008. Their newly imported outfielder will be a big part of the program:
Another player capable of joining the powerball attack is Kosuke Fukudome, who hit 31 homers in Japan in ’06 in only 130 games, before an elbow injury led to a 13-homer season in 81 games in ’07. Asked Wednesday whether he could translate his ’06 stats to the majors and be a 30-home run hitter, Fukudome simply shrugged his shoulders.
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Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
If only Harry were still around.
Don’t count on more than 15-20 homers from Fukodome. The parks he played on in Japan have much smaller power alleys.