Jinx? SI doesn't faze Fukudome

Learning the minutiae of American baseball has been part of Kosuke Fukudome's off-field education.

The latest lesson came Tuesday, when the Sports Illustrated cover jinx had to be explained to the Cubs' Japanese right fielder.

Told of the longtime perception that those who are featured on the magazine's cover end up falling short of the hype, Fukudome was, as always, politically correct.

''Maybe it's a lot of people who aren't on the cover saying it's a jinx, but it's me playing, so I'll do my best not to follow in those footsteps,'' he said through his interpreter.

Manager Lou Piniella, who was featured on an SI cover last year with Alfonso Soriano, was delighted to hear of the cover story. ''I don't think that's a jinx at all,'' he said.

The May 5 issue, due on newsstands today, pictures Fukudome on the cover in an action shot with a caption in Japanese script saying, ''It's Gonna Happen,'' the Cubs' continuing motto. Inside is a lengthy profile written by Len Jenkins.

Fukudome, 31, admitted not knowing the significance of being on the magazine cover.

''I'm not quite sure how important it is, so I don't know how I should feel,'' he said.

It is a ''big deal,'' he was told.

''Then I'm very appreciative of it,'' he said with a smile.

The magazine describes Fukudome as having won over Cubs fans ''like no player since Sammy Sosa.'' Fukudome has embraced the fans, as well, saying they have helped him feel at home at Wrigley Field.

''I do have an ally in the outfield in the fans, so that's given me more comfort playing in Wrigley Field,'' said Fukudome, whose overall numbers (.319, one homer, nine RBI) have been enhanced by his play at home. He hit .423 during the last homestand and .211 on the last road trip.

He deflected suggestions that he's the biggest reason why the Cubs have been more patient at the plate.

''I don't think it's my effect on the players,'' he said. ''It's each player thinking more and taking pitches to get better results. It seems this team, once the players get momentum going, it's a good team. If the players have a bad game, they don't carry it over and do what they can to get focused for the next game.''

Fukudome is the first Cubs rookie to be on the SI cover since Kerry Wood in 1998.