St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong talks tattoos

ITS HARD not to like Kolten Wong, even though he's a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, who are playing the Giants this week for the National League championship; even tough he hit the game-winning home run against my team in Game 2 of the series; even though he is playing at another level during the post-season.

He's one of the few Asian-American ballplayers in the Big Leagues so even though he plays for a rival, I'll be rooting for him (except when he plays against the Giants.)

Ladies will enjoy this video (OK, and some guys, too). Listen to the native of Hilo, Hawaii explain his tattoos - Pacific Islander design, of course - representing strength and family. His pride for his mixed heritage - Chinese and Hawaiian - is evident.

The palm tree represents protection. The overlapping lattice of palm leaves – woven like a rug represents the importance and strength of "ohana" (family). The tattoo is on his right arm because, as Wong told the reporter, “it’s my strongest arm.” It’s his throwing arm.

Wong's newest tattoos are in tribute to his mother.

Since the video was taken, he's extended the tattoos to his right forearm in honor of his mother, who died late last year. "Cancer ribbon," he explained to a reporter. "A tribute to her so I'll always have her with me." Are your eyes watering?

One way or the other, Wong is leaving his mark on the current post-season.

He attended Kamehameha High School in Hilo and the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Besides baseball, he played football and trains at a gym run by mixed-martial artist and UFC star B.J. Penn, who has become a friend.

Although he is only 5 foot-nine inches in a sport where someone 5'11" is described as a "little guy," Wong packs a wallop in his muscular frame - as the Giants have learned.

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