Rising Sons

Just a quarter of a century ago, baseball know-it-alls theorized that even the most talented players in Japanese baseball would surely falter if thrust into the bigger, faster and meaner Major Leagues. Then came Ichiro Suzuki. Last season, the star outfielder dared to become MLB's first Japanese-born position player, and, as a 27-year-old Seattle Mariners rookie, won American League MVP and Rookie of the Year hands down while becoming the first player since Jackie Robinson to lead his league in batting and stolen bases. Not surprisingly, the hugely popular Ichiro is the focus of this slick and interesting promotional puff piece, though a reasonable amount of attention is also paid to the seven other Japanese players on big-league rosters in 2001. The actual documentary-worthy subject of whether the success of the Japanese is the result of league over-expansion and resulting watered-down talent isn't even broached in Rising Sons, but kids and undemanding adults will enjoy the brief but effective historical overview of Japan's love for baseball; footage of Ichiro, teammate Kazuhiro Sasaki, Tsuyoshi Shinjo and Hideo Nomo in their Japanese league days; and highlights of their 2001 MLB successes. --C.S. O'Brien