Gosuke Katoh wrapped up what may have been the wildest week of his career in the basement at Tokyo Dome. As he stood among a group of reporters in a quiet corner of the Big Egg ¡ª while on the field level, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters fans were still singing in the stands to celebrate a blowout victory over the Yomiuri Giants ¡ª Katoh tried to put his latest achievements into words.

He was briefly interrupted by Tsuyoshi Shinjo, the team¡¯s flashy and loquacious manager, who strode by and loudly quipped, in English, ¡°Good job, man!¡±

That was an understatement to say the least.