Red Sox, Yankees, and Japanese Candy

DavidTai

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Dec 18, 2003
1,242
Herndon, VA
It's been years since I've been at Fenway Park, so I can't speak for the veracity of this, but I've never seen an announcement like this:
 
http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/05/22/what-does-this-japanese-candy-have-to-do-with-the-red-sox-quite-a-lot-actually/
 


The Boston Red Sox have consistently had Japanese players since 2007, when they signed Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima. There’s one thing Japanese players bring to the team that’s been overlooked until now, though: delicious imported Japanese candy.
 
Apparently the Yankees have gotten into too:
 
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/74191/first-pitch-yanks-addicted-to-japanese-candy
 


"I was first introduced to Hi-Chew in Boston last year," reliever Matt Thornton said. "When I first saw it come into the clubhouse here, I knew immediately that it would be a huge hit with the guys.
 
Nothing really to say, other than a question of 'Is this one of those merchandising opportunities Dice-K opened up, and if so, are we seeing it show up with the Mets?'
 
Well that and "Which one of you SOSHers have tried this and gotten addicted?'
 
 

jon abbey

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Jul 15, 2005
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The best quote in the Yankee piece is from Kelly Johnson:

 "It was probably like two weeks ago that I tried my first one. The next three days, I probably ate about 50 of them, but I wouldn't put myself in the addicted category." 
 

jon abbey

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Jul 15, 2005
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Yeah, I think they're a bit like the Starburst of Japan, they've been around a long time and are very well known there. Coincidentally my wife is visiting family in Tokyo now and is bringing me back a few this week (although I'm sure it's true like ForceAtHome says, you can get them at Sunrise Mart in the city). 
 

singaporesoxfan

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Jul 21, 2004
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I think many Asian supermarkets in the US stock Hi-Chew as well. It's good, and has a long lasting chewiness that I can see would go over well in a sport where people chew tobacco and sunflower seeds.

If MLB players start eating Hello Panda crackers and sucking on Super Lemon sweets we'll know the influence goes deep.
 

Murderer's Crow

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Jul 15, 2005
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Garden City
I went to high school in downtown Manhattan and all of the Chinese friends I had would bring this stuff in. It's crack. The proximity of my school allowed us to easily grab it in Chinatown along with these insane Lychee gummies. 
 

cromulence

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Aug 25, 2009
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I've found that the best way to eat them is to savor the tasty goop that they turn into and let it linger in your mouth. Makes that fruity flavor last and last.
 

Marceline

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Sep 9, 2002
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Canton, MA
CVS at South Station in Boston sells this now. I wouldn't have even noticed it had I not read this thread. Tried some today - pretty good. I ate about 20 on the train on my way home from work.