Oh, So That's What Happened to Hideki Irabu

Hideki Irabu was found dead, an apparent suicide in a home in Rancho Palos Verdes, a wealthy Los Angeles suburb. It is being reported that he hung himself.

If you can remember Hideki Irabu was basically the Yankees Dice-K (even called the Japanese Nolan Ryan). It was a huge deal when he came over, and he ended up being the worst pitcher ever (34-35 with a 5.15 ERA). Then it took a hysterical turn as not only was he bad, but George Steinbrenner used to refer to him as a fat toad.

He was a member of two Yankees teams that won the World Series, but his only postseason action was a single relief appearance in the 1999 AL Championship Series when Boston tagged him for 13 hits.

After he fell out of the majors Irabu's life feel apart. In August 2008, he was arrested in Japan for allegedly assaulting a bartender after drinking 20 mugs of beer. Police said he became angered after his credit card was rejected. In May 2010, Irabu was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in Gardena, another Los Angeles suburb. Police said he was stopped after his car drifted outside of traffic lanes and he nearly collided with a parked car.

So, it's pretty obvious he had some kind of drinking problem, and it finally came to an end. I wish I could say there are some good memories of him, but the only good thing I can say is it was always entertaining to watch him as a Red Sox fan.

Yu Darvish Staying in Japan

You might now know who Yu Darvish is, and at least for one more you year don't need to. The 24 year old righthander who has interested MLB teams for years, says he expects to play in Japan next year. He said on his personal blog that he's staying put. How good is this guy? Most reports suggest that if he did come over this year that he would be most coveted pitcher in free agency not named Cliff Lee.

I always root for these guys to come over, because it is awesome to see the league become an international game. I have no idea if they hype is for real, but hopefully in the next 2-3 years we will find out.

Sox Looking To Japan Again

Boston has shown over the past couple of years that they are very interested in grabbing players from Japan to fill out their roster. Well, it looks like they are up to it again, as there are reports that the Sox are one of the teams very interested in pitcher Hisanori Takahashi. Why might the Sox be interested? For one thing he is a lefty, and those are hard to get. He is a starter, but has stated that he has no problem pitching out of the bullpen.

Here is what you need to know about him. Takahashi is a lefty whose best pitch is the screwball. He posted a 10-6 record with a 2.94 ERA last year for the Yomiuri Giants, and his best year was in 2007 when he went 14-4 with a 2.75 ERA in 186 innings.

The other teams that are reported to be interested are the Orioles, Dodgers, Mets, and Giants. I say why not? You can never have too much pitching, though he age concerns me (34).

Tony Batista Scares Asians

HAHAHAHAHA

Japan 5, Korea 3

If anyone missed this game, you missed one of the best baseball games ever. This game had it all, extra innings, ridiculous fans and a clean up hitter lay down a bunt. Japan defended its WBC title against Korea in a battle for the ages. Ichiro Suzuki was absolutely phenomenal as he hit a 2 run double with runners in scoring position in the tenth to make the score 5-3. The 35-year-old Suzuki is a .331 hitter in eight seasons with the Mariners after starring in Japan. He tied Lou Gehrig's major league record with his eighth straight season of at least 100 runs and 200 hits last year. This goes to show you how good Ichiro is. Ichiro is going to play forever and will always be amazing. He may not steal as many bases as he once did, but he is still one of the best natural hitters to ever live. For Red Sox Fans, Japan's Daisuke Matsuzaka won the MVP award for the second straight time after going 3-0 -- the same record he had in the first WBC. He had a 2.45 ERA in 14 2/3 innings over three starts. Hopefully this is a good sign for Dice K and hopefully he can gain some momentum off of this into the season. Either way, this WBC changed my mind on it, but seriously, get back to spring training everyone.

USA 4 Japan 9

Well USA was finally bounced out of the WBC last night. Roy Oswalt sucked, and that was pretty much the story of this game. Oswalt went 3 2/3 innings allowing 6 runs (4 ER) on 6 hits with only 1 K. It was horrible. You have to wonder how serious the USA takes the WBC, but in the end you have to give Japan their due. They beat USA on their own turf, and are really showing that they may be the new powerhouse of baseball. They just play a more solid all around game. I still think USA is more talented if they have all of their players, but Japan is very steady and just gets the job done.

The good news for Boston fans is Dice-K looked good. He went 4 2/3 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits with 4 Ks. Sure that isn't awesome, but when you're going against a very dangerous lineup like USA's, and it is only March, you have to say that is kind of impressive.

The last thing I want to get out there is that USA really needs to stop playing Jeter. Listen, I respect that guy more then most of the players in the MLB, but he is way past his prime and Rollins is a much better player. The only reason Jeter was starting is because New York would have gone crazy if he didn't. I am all for having leadership, but sometimes skill is just too much to pass up. At least in this game they DH'd Rollins, but he is a much better defensive SS too. I just felt like this USA team was managed horribly, but once again give Japan credit for beating the US on their own turf.

Sox Introduce Tazawa

Old news to us, but the Sox officially announced they they have signed 22-year-old Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa to a 3 year contract worth $3.3 million. Tazawa sounded pumped to be a Red Sox...

"The reason I came directly to the [United States] is I wanted to try to play here," Tazawa said through a translator at a press conference at Fenway Park today. "I wanted to challenge myself (Boston Globe)."

and had nice things to say about Dice-K...

"I think there is a definite influence of having Daisuke Matsuzaka play here," Tazawa said. "To me he is the best player and to be able to learn from him is an incredible opportunity for me (Boston Globe)."

Tazawa was 13-1 with 5 saves and a 0.80 ERA in 21 games, 11 starts. He had 114 Ks with 15 BBs in 113 innings. He will be sent to the minors, and most people seem to think he will be down there for most (if not all) of the 2009 season. I am still interested if this move makes the Rangers panic to get pitchers, since they are the ones the Sox beat out. Hopefully, this will make the Rangers trade one of their catchers to the Sox.

-BMack

Details Of Tazawa Signing

As we reported a couple days ago, Tazawa has signed with the Red Sox, now some of the details are coming out. The Red Sox have signed the 22-year-old righthander to a 3 year deal, and the official announcement will be made on Dec. 1st. The deal is for about 6 million a year, which wasn't the biggest deal he was offered (Texas offered more), but the idea of playing in Boston with Dice-K was too much for him to pass up. Boston will add him to their 40 man roster next week. It will be interesting to see if these leads to anymore deals for the Red Sox.

-BMack

Tazawa Signs With Red Sox

There are reports coming out that Tazawa has signed with the Red Sox, though a formal announcement will not be made till next week. The Rangers had been after this guy for over a week, and they even offered him more money, but the draw of playing in Boston won him over. There is no word as to how many years the Sox signed him for, but it is believed to be around $6 million a year. Now the Sox have 3 good pitching prospects in the minors (Taz, Buchholz, and Bowden), so it will be interesting to see if this makes them comfortable enough to pull off a deal with Texas for one of their catchers.

Anyways, we all know DP will be excited.

-BMack

Dice-K To Pitch In World Baseball Classic

The 2009 World Baseball Classic will starts March 5 in Tokyo, and one of Japans favorites will be pitching for their beloved team (Dice-K). If you can remember Japan won the World Baseball Classic, and Dice-K was part of that team. The WBC really helped Dice-K gain popularity, and it means a lot to him to play for his country. I know a lot of people don't like the WBC, but I am a fan, and I think it is a good opportunity to see the baseball talent from around the world. I just wish they could do it so it didn't interfere in the MLB at all (spring training).

-BMack

As I Promised....

Here is the video of Eri Yoshida, the 16 year girl who was drafted by a pro Japanese baseball team, and oh yea throws a sidearm knuckleball. I knew I would eventually find a video, sorry it is in Japanese. I was expecting much more of a crazy windup...

-BMack

A Woman in the Big Leagues???

Well it's not the MLB but... "A 16-year-old schoolgirl is making a unique pitch to become the first woman to play professional baseball in Japan. High school student Eri Yoshida was drafted by the Kobe 9 Cruise, a professional team in a new independent Japanese league that will start its first season in April. Yoshida throws a side-arm knuckleball and says she wants to follow in the footsteps of Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, who has built a successful major league career throwing a knuckleball. Yoshida took part in a tryout held earlier this month and passed with flying colors. The right-hander held male batters hitless for one inning in the tryout and her successful outing helped her become one of the 33 players picked in the draft (Sportsline)."

I really want to see this pitch. You would think it is going to be awesome, since all Asians have crazy deliveries, on top of the fact that she is throwing a sidearm knuckleball. I will be all over the place trying to find the video of this chick, and I'll put it up when I find it. I wonder if the Sox will try to sign her too (since they are already all over Taz)? She could take the Wake's spot, when he retires. I'm just kidding...or am I?

-BMack