Dead Ball (JPN Baseball Thread)

[Greji]

Steinbrenner must have asked Cashman to go out and find their own Japanese pitcher to counteract the Sox's acquisition.

They may have also got the better deal. Igawa is probably a safer bet for longivity, given Matsunaga's past arm problems and other medical issues! I think at present his velacity does not differ that much from Matsunaga and he has about the same breaking stuff.

He could be a real deal for the Yanks.

[kamome]

They may have also got the better deal. Igawa is probably a safer bet for longivity, given Matsunaga's past arm problems and other medical issues! I think at present his velacity does not differ that much from Matsunaga and he has about the same breaking stuff.

He could be a real deal for the Yanks.

You might be right there. Certainly, no pitcher is worth $51 mil when they haven't even proven themselves in MLB. They must have seen something amazing from him to warrant such a price.

[Captain Japan]

You might be right there. Certainly, no pitcher is worth $51 mil when they haven't even proven themselves in MLB. They must have seen something amazing from him to warrant such a price.

Yes, they have. It is that they'll be able to sell a gazillion Matsuzaka Red Sox jerseys in Japan.

[Behan]

We might be hearing the Dropkick Murphys' 'Tessie' as background music on broadcasts of Red Sox games next year.
The mis-guided young one in our house is always playing it from YouTube. Go Yankees!
Just joking. Just thought I'd stir up some...

[IkemenTommy]

All this crap about ex-Japanese league players playing for MLB teams is just for the hype and publicity. The Japanese players only get drafted to the MAJOR big cities where they have JAPANESE people living or working abroad. For instance, you'll never have someone from the J league going to play for the white-bred inaka cities without any Japanese residing, such as teams like the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians.

OK.. the only exception was Taguchi in St. Louis.

[AssKissinger]

You make a good point that places with a Japanese community are more likely to fork out more cash for the J- ball players. They can invest more because they know they'll get some returns either way. But you're implication that they don't really belong or deserve to be in MLB is crap.

[IkemenTommy]

I did not imply that they don't deserve to be in MLB. Some, like Ichiro, are making great contribution to the franchise and I won't deny that a bit.

My point is that most players get drafted with huge money because the teams know that they get the financial returns through merchandise and NHK broadcast rights.

[GuyJean]

For instance, you'll never have someone from the J league going to play for the white-bred inaka cities without any Japanese residing, such as teams like the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians..

It might be that the cities with Japanese communities are larger and have more money to fork out for a 'media-whore J-baller'..

Right now though, it seems kind of balanced. For example, there are J-players in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Colorado Rockies.. As you mentioned St. Louis.. and I'm not sure Chicago has a large J-community..
http://www.japaneseballplayers.com/en/

I think the MLB teams see dollar signs with Japanese players from the television attention.. Plus, both Japanese players in the championship teams played vital roles in their winning the last two seasons.. Especially in the playoffs.

GJ

[dimwit]

Maybe true, but a couple of years ago I took in a Blue Jays games against Seattle and whereas a typical crowd for a game like that might be 20,000 there were 35+ in the stands and the right field bleachers were packed.

Now Toronto does not have a huge Japanese population, and most of them are there on business whereas this crowd was primarily young woman (Jack would have been a happy camper), so I suspect that a large amount of the crowd was a travelling road show of groupies and this seems to be confirmed by what I overheard a number of them say -they had came in from Detroit of Chicago or whereever Seattle had played the series before.

[Gilligan]

My point is that most players get drafted with huge money because the teams know that they get the financial returns through merchandise and NHK broadcast rights.

This seems to be an oft-repeated misconception on this board.

No MLB team sees any extra money from international sales of merchandise or international broadcasts of games. All that money goes directly to MLB who then distributes it evenly among ALL teams.

So signing a Japanese player will not increase revenue for any MLB team through international sales or broadcasts.

[AssKissinger]

All this crap about ex-Japanese league players playing for MLB teams is just for the hype and publicity.

I did not imply that they don't deserve to be in MLB.

[Blah Pete]

All this crap about ex-Japanese league players playing for MLB teams is just for the hype and publicity. The Japanese players only get drafted to the MAJOR big cities where they have JAPANESE people living or working abroad. For instance, you'll never have someone from the J league going to play for the white-bred inaka cities without any Japanese residing, such as teams like the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians.

OK.. the only exception was Taguchi in St. Louis.

Mak Suzuki played for Kansas City for a few years. Nomo was at Milwaukee. I think it is hard to find a team now that hasn't had a Japanese player at one time or another.

[IkemenTommy]

:confused:

So sue me:eeh:

I think the MLB teams see dollar signs with Japanese players from the television attention..

The whores at NHK mainly stuck with the Yankees and Mariners games last season. Hopefully, they will expand more next year with more Red Sox coverage. Too bad there are almost no more Dodgers games after Hideo Nomo left.

[Greji]

Hopefully, they will expand more next year with more Red Sox coverage.

Since the Red Sox have signed a new foreign pitcher
(seen here throwing the fabled "Gyro-ball"), they should get more coverage!

[Mulboyne]

MLB: Schilling learning Japanese

Whether it's opening a new gaming company in a Boston suburb or brushing up on his American history and artifacts collection, Curt Schilling never lacks for things to keep him busy in the offseason. But this winter, the Red Sox ace has another interest in mind that he hopes will help him in the upcoming season. With the signing of lefty reliever Hideki Okajima and the ongoing talks to ink ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, Schilling is learning Japanese..."I didn't realize what we had coming our way and when I did, I wanted to make sure that both of them have someone on the staff -- that they at least know -- who is going to make an effort to be able to communicate out there," said Schilling...more...

[Gilligan]

Looks like Matsuzaka will be pitching 1 more year for Seibu. According to ESPN.com, negotiations with the Red Sox are all but dead.

[AssKissinger]

Looks like Matsuzaka will be pitching 1 more year for Seibu. According to ESPN.com, negotiations with the Red Sox are all but dead.

ESPN will say any shit to make it look they're on the inside track.

52 M.

It's a good thing he didn't blow his arm out during the high school championships.

[Greji]

It's a good thing he didn't blow his arm out during the high school championships.

BOSTON -- After a topsy-turvy month of negotiations, the Red Sox -- according to multiple media reports -- have at last landed Japanese pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka, completing the most heralded international signing in team history.
According to the Boston Herald, all that remains before the deal is official is approval from Major League Baseball. Once that takes place, the Red Sox will formally announce the signing of Matsuzaka to a six-year contract worth $52 million, not to mention escalator clauses which could reportedly bring the deal to $60 million. According to The Associated Press, that announcement will take place Thursday at 5 p.m. ET more.....

[maninjapan]

It was obvious that he was gonna sign.

You don't offer 51mil dollars then offer peanuts - another over blown drawn out saga!

[maninjapan]

This seems to be an oft-repeated misconception on this board.

No MLB team sees any extra money from international sales of merchandise or international broadcasts of games. All that money goes directly to MLB who then distributes it evenly among ALL teams.

So signing a Japanese player will not increase revenue for any MLB team through international sales or broadcasts.

However what it does is increase international recognition of that team - so when people visit from over seas what teams are they going to go and watch?

Anaheim Angels or NewYork Yanks with Matsui, Seattle with Ichiro or RedSox with Matsuzaka?

[Gilligan]

However what it does is increase international recognition of that team - so when people visit from over seas what teams are they going to go and watch?

Anaheim Angels or NewYork Yanks with Matsui, Seattle with Ichiro or RedSox with Matsuzaka?

You're absolutely right, Maninjapan; however, the argument goes that this international recognition has some influence (some have implied it's even a very important factor) in deciding whether or not to sign Japanese players. But the Red Sox have sold out EVERY home game since May 15, 2003, so I don't see how that argument holds up.

That being said, I imagine that the Fenway scalpers will be VERY happy every fifth day next year.

[maninjapan]

Well the scalpers/touts will be happy as they know if they see a Japanese face - I bet you the 'price' suddenly goes up a few dollars or twenty.

[Mulboyne]

China Post: Valentine on Japanese perspective

...Bobby Valentine knows the Japanese baseball community better than most...A dozen years after Hideo Nomo began the steady stream of Japanese stars leaving their homeland for the major leagues, Valentine said Wednesday that Japanese fans now view the defections as much with cynicism as wonder. "It's not like there's not interest (in Matsuzaka coming to Boston), it just isn't one that excites the heart of every Japanese citizen," Valentine said. "Many of them were very upset about it. Many people feel that it's kind of an adversarial situation, with the best players being stolen away, to destroy the leagues. The last thing in the world they want to do is see these leagues destroyed...(Matsuzaka) was just another one jumping the ship. That's what most of the Japanese fans felt. Obviously, they wanted him to go to a good team. They want him to be very successful. I'm hoping, as well as the Japanese fans, that he can do what he's capable of doing."

Matsuzaka is one of four Japanese players who will be part of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry this season, joining pitcher Hideki Okajima with the Red Sox, opposing outfielder Hideki Matsui and pitcher Kei Igawa. But Valentine said the rivalry has not yet translated overseas, even though the New York Yankees are the dominant major league presence in Japan. "There's no excitement for the rivalry, the Red Sox and Yankees," Valentine said. "Japan has its own baseball community. It's 150 million people who love baseball. That they have some of their best baseball players playing in America gives them great pride. They root for the players."

[AssKissinger]

[SIZE="6"]Dice-K adjusting quickly to life in America
[/SIZE]
By KEN PETERS, AP Sports Writer
January 31, 2007




NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) -- Daisuke Matsuzaka is quickly putting his off-the-field worries behind him. Now, the Japanese ace is hungry for spring training with the Boston Red Sox.

"One of the things I was most worried about in coming over here was obviously the food. But to my surprise, I found the vegetables are great, the fish tastes great," the star pitcher from Japan said Wednesday at a news conference.

"So far, so good. I've been able to lead a comfortable few weeks here," Matsuzaka said through a translator.

Uh, wtf? Did he think the millionaires eat rotting fruits and vegetables while being exposed to extreme discomfort in America? It's weird how the Japanese think their groceries are so infinitely superior. Although, I have to admit some things really are better in Japan. For example, grapes.

[dimwit]

Interesting article from MLB about Matsuzaka.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070207&content_id=1797394&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Will he be the early hit that Hideo Nomo was with the Dodgers, only with a more sustained period of greatness? From a pitching standpoint, can he match the prowess of Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui? Is there any chance that he turns into a flop the size of Hideki Irabu?

Judging by all the scouting reports, the possibility that seems almost unfathomable to unfold is the Irabu one. It's hard to believe that so many trained experts could be so wrong.

From what a variety of eyes have seen, the 26-year-old Matsuzaka should be successful right out of the gate. It just seems a matter of how successful.

For the most impartial view, consider what Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells had to say recently.

"I got a chance to watch. I didn't face him [in the World Baseball Classic], but I saw him pitch when we went over for the [2004] Japan [All-Star Series] tour," said Wells. "There was one game I didn't play in and he two-hit our team in a heartbeat. It was interesting and fun to watch, and I'm glad I had that day off."

[Captain Japan]

[Captain Japan]

Any predictions? I don't see the point in a Japanese team using one of their gaijin slots for a guy who's 38.
Tuffy Rhodes to make bid to return to Japan
Mainichi

Outfielder Tuffy Rhodes, who holds a share of Japanese baseball's single-season home run record, will have a tryout with the Orix Buffaloes, officials of the Pacific League team said Monday.

Rhodes, 38, hit 55 homers in 2001 as a member of the Kintetsu Buffaloes to tie the mark set by Sadaharu Oh in 1964. Alex Cabrera also hit 55 in 2002 for the Seibu Lions.

Rhodes spent a total of 10 seasons in Japan before leaving the Yomiuri Giants after the 2005 season.

In 2006, Rhodes, who played six years in the major leagues before coming to Japan, tried out for the Cincinnati Reds but was released by the team in spring training. (AP)

[Captain Japan]

Here's another old-timer giving a shot by going the other direction. He hasn't had an ERA under 5 in the last 3 years. I like Tuffy's chances better...
Kuwata's arrival focuses media attention on Pirates
AP

BRADENTON, Fla. - Finally, the Pittsburgh Pirates know what it's like to have a Japanese player in the fold. That means they finally know what it's like to have major-league media attention again.

No fewer than 20 reporters, photographers and cameramen from Japanese media outlets spent most of Thursday following the every move of minor-league pitcher Masumi Kuwata, a former star in his homeland.

And they represented fewer than half the number of press credentials the team expects to issue before demand is filled.

Jim Trdinich, the Pirates' director of media relations, likened the crush to "Brad and Angelina gracing us with their presence here," as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training at Pirate City.

Such media attention is unusual for the Pirates, to say the least. Coming off 14 consecutive losing seasons and playing in one of the league's smallest markets, the Pirates are typically followed by a mere handful of reporters and photographers.

But the Japanese contingent has turned one of the quietest camps in the Grapefruit League into a sort of carnival. In fact, the carnival now has a tent, specially built by Trdinich and his staff for Kuwata's daily sessions with the press.

For Kuwata, the celebrity is hardly new. A veteran of 21 seasons with Japan's legendary Yomiuri Giants, he won one MVP award, two ERA titles, eight Gold Gloves and was an eight-time All-Star in that country's Central League.

"The media followed me always like that," Kuwata said when asked about the current media throng. "I need time for privacy, but Japan is a small country that loves baseball. I understand."...more...

[Gilligan]

Captain Japan, do Japanese team use up one of their allotted foreigner slots just by inviting him to camp? Even if they do, I can understqand why they might take a chance--while Rhodes is a year removed from playing here, it's only one year, and he's proven that he can play. What's more, they don't have to worry about whether or not he'll be able to overcome any culture shock. I'd say it's worth the gamble if they need to use one of their slots, and it's NO gamble if they don't.

As to Kuwata, he's on a minor league contract, so there's no real risk to the Pirates. I think the only person who really thinks that Kuwata has a chance to end up in the majors is Kuwata himself--which explains why he decided to sign with the Pirates rather than the Red Sox (who offerred him a similar contract).

[Captain Japan]

Captain Japan, do Japanese team use up one of their allotted foreigner slots just by inviting him to camp?

It's a roster issue so as far as I know so they can do whatever they want prior to opening day. I agree that it can't hurt but I was just saying I kind of doubt Orix would give a valuable FG slot to a guy who likely wouldn't start in the outfield.

As for Kuwata I wish him all the best. I'll bet he has a blast trying out for the team - certainly the pressure isn't on him. I just think the odds are stacked against him even more than Tuffy.