JAPAN BASEBALL: Aaron Guiel: Swallows' slugger digs the Hip but can do without C.C.

Aaron Guiel is a power-hitting outfielder in his first season in Japanese baseball.

The 34-year-old Canadian has come a long way from his days playing Little League baseball on Vancouver Island under the watchful eye of coach Dick Simpson. Prior to arriving on these shores, the left-handed hitting Guiel was with the American League's Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees.

Batting cleanup, Guiel is currently leading his latest club, the Yakult Swallows, in home runs with 18 going into the All-Star break and he's second behind teammate Alex Ramirez in RBIs with 48.

Guiel has become a fan favorite at Jingu Stadium, where he always makes time for the Swallows faithful. With his cheerful demeanor and his curly blond hair spilling from his cap, some fans have taken to calling him "Angel."

Not sure what he thinks of that, but the IHT-Asahi did have a chance to sound him out on several other topics recently.

Q: What's your favorite city or town to go to?

A: My favorite city to visit in the States is Chicago, because it's just got a real nice downtown area, but my favorite stadium to play in is Safeco Field in Seattle.

As far as Japan, aside from Tokyo I would say that I love going to Osaka. It's probably my favorite place to actually play too.

Which city has the best food?

We had real good Cuban food up in Sapporo. Alex (Ramirez) took me to a good Cuban restaurant up there.

How about nightlife?

Definitely Tokyo.

Best fans?

Chiba.

Better than New York?

The fans in Yankee Stadium are intense--they cheer, they boo, they do everything, it's a pretty intense atmosphere. They let you know when you're doing something right and when you're doing something wrong. The fans in Chiba--and in Japan in general--are supportive no matter what the team is doing.

What's the highlight of your career so far?

Beating the Americans in the World Baseball Classic last year would have to be one of them. Your personal goals are different when you get to the big leagues and your personal statistics become so important, but from a team standpoint it was probably beating the U.S. in the WBC.

What's your most embarrassing moment in a baseball uniform?

I've had a lot. I make an ass out of myself at least two or three times a week. In Triple-A I went around third, tripped on the base, hit the dirt and got thrown out at home plate ... that was a lot of fun. When you walk back to the dugout you've got everyone standing around laughing at you.

What's your favorite music?

I play the Tragically Hip song "New Orleans is Sinking" when I bat at Jingu. I tried to get them to play a different Hip song for every at-bat but that was a little too complicated, we over-loaded somebody, so now we just get one song. I also like Coldplay right now.

Who's the toughest pitcher you've ever faced?

C.C. Sabathia. I remember facing him one time in Cleveland, he was throwing hard, everything was sharp and he's such a big man. It literally looked like he was throwing little gumballs in there and you're up there trying to hit them with a bamboo stick.

How about in Japan?

That lefty with the Tokyo Giants, (Hisanori) Takahashi. He threw against us one time at the Tokyo Dome and his ball was never in a good hitting spot.

Does Barry Bonds belong in the Hall of Fame?

I'm a firm believer that stats belong in the Hall of Fame. I think Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame, I think Barry Bonds should be in the Hall of Fame. They're both kind of idiots and they both did stupid things. Even though Bonds kind of admitted that he did steroids, it would be a shame to go to Cooperstown and not at least see somewhere what he's actually done.

Last question, and probably the stupidest one I'll ever ask you. Who would you rather spend the afternoon with, Paris Hilton or George W. Bush?

Now that would depend on what we were doing.(IHT/Asahi: July 20,2007)