"The Old Reflector"
"Hasta La Vista 2006." Hideki Matsui is conducting
the Orchestra Ensemble as he rehearses
a New Year's Eve's concert in Kanazawa. Matsui is scheduled to
conduct
an encore at the concert where his cheering song is to be unveiled.
Chien-Ming Wang is at a fundraising event sponsored by Ford.
About 2,000 fans show up at Taipei's Tien Mu Stadium in Wang's
last public appearance before he heads back to the US next week.
Tadahito Iguchi rings the bell to mark the closing of stock trading
for the year 2006 at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo.
(12/31)
"Done Deal, Cont."
The New York Yankees signed Kei Igawa to a five year contract
worth of $20 million. Igawa is likely the 5th starter for the
Yankees.
(12/27)
Done deal: Igawa signs for five years
"Preview to Opening Day."
In this photo released by ASAHI
BREWERIES, LTD.,
Daisuke Matsuzaka wearing his Red Sox home uniform
appears in a commercial for "Asahi Super Dry" beer in Tokyo.
The commercial will begin airing at the end of January 2007.
Looks like Samuel Adams based out
of Boston is going to
have some marketing competition this coming up season.
(12/26)
"Season's Greetings!"
Merrymas
(12/23)
"Major/Minor Signing."
Hyuk Son, a Korean pitcher who injury
forced him to retire back
in 2004
is trying to make a comeback. The Baltimore Orioles
has signed Son
to a Minor League contract. Son will likely be
pitching in AAA at
the
beginning of next season. It would be a
great story if he indeed make
it to the Majors, Son's wife
Hee-Won is a professional golfer playing on the LPGA
tour.
(12/20)
Hee-Won Han's husband returns to baseball
Minor League Transactions (November 27 - December 20)
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays
appear close to signing
3rd baseman Akinori Iwamura, while Daisuke Matsuzaka
is now officially a member of the Boston Red Sox.
After watching the entire press conference via MLB.com,
here are a couple of the things which I noticed.
"Dice K's Day."
At first, it looked like Scott
Boras and Theo Epstein were
far apart on the contract negotiation of Daisuke Matsuzaka.
But the finishing script of this month long saga end up to be in
favor for the Boston Red Sox, as Matsuzaka has headed to the
Bay State taking a physical, and to sign a six year contract.
(12/13)
Sox, Matsuzaka appear to be apart
Red Sox get job done with D-Mat
Red Sox, Matsuzaka set six-year deal
"Money Ball."
Both GM Theo Epstein and CEO Larry Lucchino has flown down to
California to negotiate directly with Scott Boras/Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Will Epstein/Lucchino bring Matsuzaka back with them to Boston?
Finally, there are talks of another Japanese pitcher being
on the verge of signing. Masumi Kuwata, who pitched 21
seasons with the Yomiuri Giants has drawn some interest
from both the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates.
(12/12)
Sox execs head west for negotiations
The Boston Red Sox/Daisuke
Matsuzaka soap opera took
a twist today where negotiation has been cooled off for
the time being. Red Sox still have couple days to sign the
Japanese hurler, reports have indicated that Red Sox's offer
was between $7 million to $8 million annually over four to
six years, while Scott Boras was seeking an average annual
value of approximately $15 million for his client Matsuzaka.
(12/10)
Matsuzaka talks stalled
"Got Balls?"
Not sure how long ago this was
aired by CBS, but a guy
named
Zack Hample probably holds the record of having the
most baseball
foul balls with around 3,000. Simply he's
hilarious like Kevin Federline's rapping. Here are six of the
most funny/memorable quotes from the video below.
The last time that I went to a game, and did
not
catch a single ball, even during batting practice
was 454 games ago, back in September 1993.
And I thought I went to a lot of games, I don't thinkI
have
even attended half of that much games in the Minor League.
I have my Phillies' hat here, so I can look
like I'm a Phillies' fan
and of course my bag of tricks I also have my Cubs' hat here.
Does the bag of tricks include this book below?
I'm a quote on quote fan, I know it is
fraudulent
and sneaky but you know, we do what we have to do.
A.K.A. bandwagon
fan, well, as least he admits it.
Yeah great, way to use your elbow sir.
Hahaha, he
looked pissed over not getting a
baseball, check out his emotions at 1:28 of the clip.
I'm gonna knock over the camera, elbow you
in the jaw, jump up and start running like hell.
Maybe Steve Hartman, the reporter could repeat quote #4.
I can ask for a ball in 27 different
languages...sign language.
Wondering if he know how to say quote #4 in 27 languages.
His another baseball accomplishment is being your
nearest baseball stadium usher's worst nightmare.
(12/7)
"Back for More."
Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed
their closer Takashi Saito,
who was one of the biggest surprise in all of baseball last
season as a 36 year old rookie. Saito signed a deal guaranteeing
$1 million with another possible $300,000 in incentive bonuses.
(12/5)
Dodgers retain Saito's services
"Winter Meetings."
New York Yankees' GM Brian
Cashman plans to meet with
Kei Igawa's agent Arn Tellem down in Orlando to start the
negotiations between the two sides. Igawa's rights was
won by the Yankees with a bid of over 26 million last week.
(12/4)
Cashman planning Igawa talks
"High School Reunion."
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have
signed Korean 1st basemen
Hee Seop Choi to a minor league deal with invitations to the
Major League Spring Training. Choi is a High School, and Korean
National Team teammate of current Devil Rays' pitcher Jae Seo.
(12/1)
Rays sign Choi, five others
"Okajima Okay for Red Sox."
Boston Red Sox needed a lefty
specialist in the bullpen, and
they
found one from Japan to pitch for them in 2007.
Hideki Okajima,
a former teammate of Hideki Matsui back in Japan, and one of the
best relief pitcher in Japanese baseball the last few years has
signed a two year contract with an option in 2009 with the Red Sox.
(11/30)
Sox sign Japanese lefty Okajima
"Red Sox's/Yankees' New Pitch."
During the course of the
baseball season, the battles between the
Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are settled on the playing
field in full view of an attentive audience. During the offseason,
the competition between the two rivals turns into a chess match.
(11/29)
Sox-Yankees rivalry reaching new level
"Igawa's In."
After missing out on Daisuke
Matsuzaka earlier this month,
the New York Yankees made sure not to let history repeat itself
when Kei Igawa became available via the posting system.
Published reports put the winning bid around $26 million,
which is roughly half of the $51.1 million it cost the Red Sox
to acquire the rights to Matsuzaka. The AL East sweeps
the posting process with the Red Sox landing Matsuzaka,
Devil Rays getting Iwamura, and now the Yankees with Igawa.
(11/28)
Igawa's rights go to Yankees
"Hot Stove Report."
Tomo Ohka is interested in
returning to the Washington Nationals,
according to his agent, Jim Masteralexis. According to published
reports, the Red Sox and Mariners also are interested in Ohka.
And it has been two weeks since the Red Sox won the bidding
on Daisuke Matsuzaka, however a deal is expected to be
announced only sometime before the deadline on Dec. 15th.
(11/27)
Ohka interested in returning
Matsuzaka talks stalling
"Meeting Matsuzaka."
Before getting to the main
course by signing a contract, the
Boston Red Sox decided to have the prized Japanese pitcher
Daisuke Matsuzaka over for a social dinner. The dinner took
place at the Southern California home of Red Sox chairman
Tom Werner. Matsuzaka, who had already been spotted in
Los Angeles with agent Scott Boras, was entertained by not just
Werner, but also Red Sox principal owner John W. Henry, CEO
Larry Lucchino, GM Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona.
(11/21)
Sox have Matsuzaka over for dinner
"Igawa's Interests."
The Seattle Mariners did not
want to get involved in the
bidding war in the Daisuke Matsuzaka sweepstakes, but
they are among the teams interesting in Kei Igawa.
(11/20)
M's interested in Japanese pitcher?
"Past and Present."
It was just 12 years ago that
one of the most successful pitchers
in the history of Japanese baseball was seeking to find an
opportunity to pitch in the Major Leagues. Hideo Nomo, known
as "the Tornado" in his home country for his unusual windup
and delivery, was and is the true inspiration for the players
who have come to the U.S. from Japan during the past decade.
Also, Hanshin Tigers' southpaw pitcher Kei Igawa is finally
being posted by the club. Igawa becomes the third player
from Japan to be posted this offseason. The Chicago Cubs
are one of many teams expected to place a bid on Igawa.
(11/17)
Nomo's impact echoes this offseason
Igawa's negotiating rights posted
"Cy Wang? Almost..."
As expected, Johan Santana is
the 2006 AL Cy Young winner,
which he deserved very much from the excellent season he had.
Chien-Ming Wang matched Santana in the wins column, however
his ERA and strikeout were not as impressive as Santana had
put on this past season. The Daily News writer Sam Borden,
who had a vote in the process said: "Without Santana in the
league, I think Wang would have been a very legitimate candidate
to win. He's definitely a different type of pitcher, but he was
effective throughout the season. I don't think it's fair to
penalize him having less strikeouts; he gets outs in his own
way and he did it well for most of the year." One thing can say
is that Wang's breakout season was a pleasant surprise for the
Yankees, who started him over Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina
in Game 1 of the Division Series against the Tigers. Manager
Joe Torre was proud of how Wang had pitched this past season,
he said: "I don't think we could have ever dreamed that would
be the case. The big part of it is his personality and confidence
in himself." So for now, Wang proved to be the Ace of the Yankee
staff, as well as the best pitcher in the AL not named Johan
Santana.
(11/16)
Wang the runner-up in Cy Young vote
"Decisions 06'."
A new poll on the left has been
created for you to think how
many games Daisuke Matsuzaka is going to win next season.
As for the last poll, where I asked
which
triple crown will
happen next? 30% said baseball, 59% said horse racing,
while 11% of you guys said neither will happen ever again.
(11/15)
"Iwamura's In and More."
A day after the mega news where
the Boston Red Sox won
the sweepstakes on Daisuke Matsuzaka, their AL East foe
Tampa Bay Devil Rays also got themselves a talented player
from Japan by winning the posting on Akinori Iwamura. The
Devil Rays won the negotiating rights to the power hitting
Gold Glove 3rd basemen with a winning bid of about $4.5 million.
"Capitalism of Baseball." The longest post ever being
made on Frank's Field of Dreams,
all dedicated to Daisuke Matsuzaka, who I hope to be the real deal.
How many Benjamin Franklins
equals one Daisuke Matsuzaka?
Red Sox fans are happy they got Daisuke Matsuzaka, or as
least the right to negotiate a deal with him, and Yankee fans
are happy now Red Sox fans can't complain how they always
spend the big bucks on free agents. But folks, this is crazy.
As expected, the Boston Red Sox emerged as winners of the
bidding war on Seibu Lions' Daisuke Matsuzaka with a $51.1 million
offer and have 30 days to sign the Japanese pitcher to a contract.
Am I surprise that the Red Sox got him? No, but am I surprised that
they paid that much for him? Definitely. On behalf of the
organization,
GM Theo Epstein said the following today: "We have long admired
Mr. Matsuzaka's abilities and believe he would be a great fit with
the Red Sox organization. Clearly, we believe Mr. Matsuzaka
is a real talent." Again, the Red Sox has just spent 51.1
million
dollars just to be able to talk to him, now the fun part is
negotiate
with his agent, the almighty Scott Boras, where he will likely of
getting Matsuzaka around 13 million dollar per season contract.
Now, just think of how cheap Ichiro and Hideki Matsui were, when
both players headed to Seattle and New York, Ichiro only cost a
little
over 13 million of posting fee, while Hideki Matsui was absolutely
free
because he was a free agent by having played his nine years with
Yomiuri Giants. Would I have spend that much money if I was the GM?
No, but again, I'm not Theo Epstein, I guess the philosophy is fool
me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Theo certainly
did not want to see Matsuzaka in the pinstripes especially after
what
happened last winter with Johnny Damon, this outrageous bidding
price
is certainly something that probably would never happen again, but
I just hope Matsuzaka will win around 17 games a season for the
next couple years with all the money that is being invested on him.
With the Matsuzaka mystery being solved, now I wonder who will win
the bids on Yakult Swallows' Gold Glove 3rd basemen Akinori Iwamura,
and Hanshin Tigers' southpaw Kei Igawa. Below is the history of
Asian
players that have played for the Red Sox organization in the past.
Japanese
Takeshi Kanaya Catcher who
played only couple games in Rookie ball during his only season in
1999.
Kenichiro Kawabata First far east
hitter invested in, played 3 years and reached High A ball before
being let go.
Ryo Kumagai Signed a Minor
League contract and was a non-roster invitee to the 2002
Major League Spring Training. Played 2 years and reached AA before
being let go.
Hideo Nomo Pitched a
no-hitter in his Red Sox debut in 2001 and later in the season also
pitched
a one-hitter, lead the AL in strikeout, but left via free agency for
the Dodgers.
Tomo Ohka Went 15 - 0 in
his first Minor League season in 1999 including a perfect game,
later
call up to the Majors by the Red Sox. Left in 2001 after being
traded for Ugueth Urbina.
Denney Tomori Veteran who
signed a Minor League deal in 2005 and spend
the year between AA/AAA ball, released at the end of the season.
Yasumichi Minami Appeared in
only 12 Minor League games in 2002
between Rookie/Low A ball before being let go.
Korean
Byeong An Played 1 1/2
seasons in High A ball before being traded
to Chicago White Sox for Bobby Howry in 2002.
Tai In Che Received
$750,000 in signing bonus as a teenager with a lot of promise,
arm injuries ended any chance of even pitch in one Minor League game.
Jin Ho Cho Signed in 1998
and appear in the Major League on Independence Day after only
pitching in 18 Minor League games. Spend 5 years with the
organization and the
last 3 seasons all in the Minors before being released during the
season.
Hee Seop Choi Claimed through
the waiver during 2006 Spring Training, spend the entire year in AAA
and released at the end of the season, his season actually ended in
July after an injury.
Byung Hyun Kim Red Sox
obtained him through a trade with the Diamondbacks for Shea
Hillenbrand.
Kim never felt comfortable and actually was a headache with his
middle finger incident
to the Red Sox fans when being booed at Fenway. Theo Epstein admit
of having him
was a mistake. Kim spend time between AAA/Majors before being traded
to the Rockies
for Charles Johnson and Chris Narveson, whom both never played for
the Red Sox.
Jae Kim Played 1 season
in Rookie ball, his career in the US lasted only five games.
Released in 1998 after compile a record of 0 - 1 with 5.25 ERA with
GCL Red Sox.
Sun Woo Kim Signed along
with Jin Ho Cho back in 1998, Kim spend 3 1/2 seasons in the Minor
League
before making his Red Sox debut in 2001, traded away with another
fellow from
South Korea Seung Song in 2002 to the Expos for Cliff Floyd around
the trading deadline.
Sang Hoon Lee Signed for over
a million and pitched decent during his brief
Major League career, finished his Red Sox tenure in AAA.
Chul Oh Played 1 season
in Rookie ball, released after the 2000 season.
Seung Song Signed in 1999
and climbed all the way to the top as the #1 prospect overall within
the
Red Sox organization. After played 3 1/2 seasons, traded to the
Expos for Cliff Floyd.
Byung Yoo Played 1 season
and spend time in three levels from Short Season to High A ball.
Released after the season when he compiled a 0 - 4 record with 5.83
ERA in 2002.
Taiwanese
Chih-Hsien Chiang 1 of 4
Taiwanese signees this past season. Spend time between Rookie and
Short Season ball.
Chih-Hsiang Huang 1 of 4
Taiwanese signees this past season. Spend the entire year in Rookie
ball.
Kevin Huang Spend 3 years
in the Minor League and reached High A ball before being released .
Wang-Yi Lin 1 of 4
Taiwanese signees this past season. Spend the entire year in Rookie
ball.
Ting-Jen Yeh 1 of 4
Taiwanese signees this past season. Spend the entire year in Short
Season ball.
All the players besides
Denney Tomori, Hee Seop Choi,
Byung Hyun Kim, Chih-Hsien Chiang, Chih-Hsiang Huang,
Wang-Yi Lin, and Ting-Jen Yeh, were signed by previous
administration of scout Ray Poitevent and GM Dan Duquette.
"Monday Musings."
Seattle Mariners' catcher Kenji
Johjima finishes 4th
in the AL R.O.Y. voting behind Justin Verlander,
Jonathan Papelbon, and Francisco Liriano.
The Boston Red Sox have apparently won the Matsuzaka
sweepstake, it was reported on several media outlets
and substantiated by highly placed baseball officials.
"Mystery Unsolved." Bidding for Gold Glove 3rd basemen Akinori Iwamura is closed,
but
which teams won the negotiation rights to either him, or
Daisuke Matsuzaka still remains unknown at this point, because
the identities of teams that made the highest bids are revealed
only if their offers are accepted by Seibu Lions or Yakult Swallows.
(11/11)
Angels make reported run for Matsuzaka
MLB bidding closes on Iwamura
"3 is the Magic Word." After Daisuke Matsuzaka and Akinori
Iwamura, seems like
Kei Igawa will join them as the latest Japanese player to make
their transition from Japan to the Major League Baseball.
Igawa of the Hanshin Tigers who would have had to play in Japan
for three more seasons before he could become a free agent will
be the 3rd player to be posted this off-season. He was given
permission by the Tigers to pursue a career in the Major Leagues.
Igawa recently pitched in the Major League Baseball Japan All-Star
Series. Pitching in Game 4, where he lasted 6 innings, giving up
5 hits, 2 runs, and issued 6 walks while struck out 4. David Wright
had a solo home run off of Igawa who had a no decision.
"US or Japan?" The Colorado Rockies are optimistic
about their chances to
re-sign free agent second baseman Kaz Matsui, and they
expect to know by next week whether they can. General Manager
Dan O'Dowd said. "There is some interest from Japan, but we
have the impression he wants to stay in the United States. We
like him a lot, and I think he was really comfortable with us."
(11/10)
Rockies expect telling week for Matsui
"The Beach Boys."
Rockies' Taiwanese pitching prospect Ching-Lung
Lo
started slow but has come on as of late in the
Hawaii Winter League with the Waikiki BeachBoys.
(11/10)
Lo reaching new highs in Hawaii
"One Down, One to Go." The deadline to submit a bid for
negotiating rights to
Daisuke Matsuzaka has passed, and the teams that
placed bids must now wait to hear from the Seibu Lions,
who have four days to accept or reject the top bid.
Bidding closes Friday for Akinori Iwamura, a six-time Gold Glove
third baseman with the Yakult Swallows, and the Phillies have
announced they are no longer pursuing for Iwamura's service.
(11/8)
Bids are in, wait on Matsuzaka begins Phillies pass
on Iwamura
"At the Hot Corner." Perhaps currently the best
3rd basemen in Japanese baseball,
the Yakult Swallows have made Akinori Iwamura, the latest
Japanese star available to Major League clubs through
the posting process. Iwamura was the starting 3rd basemen
for Japan during the World Baseball Classic. Teams interested
in his service are the Padres, Indians, Red Sox and Phillies.
(11/6)
Iwamura officially available to MLB
"East Meets West." The baseball actions began
yesterday in Tokyo Dome as the
MLB All-Stars took on the Yomiuri Giants, Japan's most
popular and historically famous team in an exhibition game.
The MLB All-Stars tied the game up with 2 homers in the 9th inning
and the game ended in a 7 - 7 tie. I don't know what to say
about this team of MLB All-Stars, but almost being beat by the
Yomiuri Giants, a team that went 65 - 79 with 2 ties this past
season just shows the talents in Japan are a lot better than
most people give credits for. Click on the link below for all the
updated information regarding the MLB Japan All-Star Series.
(11/3)
Complete Japan All-Star Series coverage
Japanese duo reflect on homecoming
"Says Hu, Ch. 4." Dodgers' Chin-Lung Hu
discusses about making progress on
hitting the breaking ball and adjusting to a new double play
partner in his latest Arizona Fall League Player Journal.
(11/3)
Grading the curve
"Got Gold?" For his defensive prowess
in the outfield, Ichiro was awarded his
sixth consecutive Gold Glove since joining the Majors back in 2001.
(11/2)
Ichiro snares sixth straight Gold Glove
"Chinese Opening Day?" Major League Baseball is
mulling the idea of opening the 2008 season
in Beijing, probably in the months prior to the Summer Olympics.
I hate to be critical, but this is a disrespect to South Korea and
Taiwan, where both countries have more rabid baseball fans, as well
as history to the game, not to mention actually having had players
in the MLB. I can understand the NBA played a couple games in China
in Yao Ming's favor, but MLB opening the season in China before
giving
South Korea and Taiwan a chance does not help MLB's cause at all.
How would countries in Latin America feel if MLB wanted to open the
season at Jamaica instead of Dominican Republic or Venezuela?
(11/2)
MLB eyeing games in Beijing
"Option Play, Cont." A day after declining
options on three relievers, the Colorado Rockies
decided to exercise club option on Byung-Hyun Kim, who went 8 - 12
with a 5.57 ERA, 61 walks, and 129 strikeouts during 27 starts in
2006.
(11/2)
Rockies exercise club option on Byung-Hyun Kim
"Option Play." Tadahito Iguchi, who is
currently staying busy getting ready
for the MLB All-Star tour in Japan later on this week, had
his 2007 club option exercised by the Chicago White Sox.
(10/30)
White Sox pick up three options
"2006 Fall Classic."
Congratulations to So Taguchi and the St. Louis Cardinals as they
become the 2006 World Series Champion. Taguchi started Game 5
at the left field and batted 8th in the lineup, where he went 1 for 3
with a sacrifice and a run scored. Taguchi became the second
Asian player to win the World Series, following Tadahito Iguchi who
won it all with the Chicago White Sox last year. Taguchi finished the
2006 postseason with .400 batting average, 2 home runs, 4 RBIs,
and 5 runs scored in 11 games. St. Louis Cardinals close out
the Detroit Tigers and the 2006 season with a
4 - 2 win and
celebrated the victory at home along with 46,638 baseball fans.
(10/27)
So Taguchi came into Game 4 in the 7th inning as a pinch hitter,
and he reached on base by an error, but Taguchi was credited with
a sacrifice instead and he later scored in the inning. The St. Louis
Cardinals takes a commanding 3 - 1 series lead from the Detroit
Tigers
with a 5 - 4 victory in front of sold out home crowd of 46,470 fans.
(10/26)
So Taguchi started Game 3 in the right field, and batted 8th in the
lineup. Taguchi went 0 for 3 with a run scored, with a great
pitching
performance from last year's Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter,
St. Louis Cardinals shutout the Detroit Tigers
5 - 0 to take the series
lead 2 to 1, Game 4 continues tomorrow at the Busch Stadium.
(10/24)
So Taguchi started Game 1 of the 2006 World Series and hit 9th in
the lineup. Taguchi went 1 for 4 and the St. Louis Cardinals broke
an
8 games National League losing streak in the World Series by taking
Game 1 from the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park by the score of
7 - 2.
(10/21)
Taguchi gets starting nod
"Says Hu, Ch. 3."
Dodgers' Chin-Lung Hu started
this year in the World Baseball Classic,
and following a full season in Double-A Jacksonville, is now in the
Arizona Fall League. He's a bit tired, but eager to have been afforded
the opportunity to take part in the AFL's first Rising Stars Showcase.
(10/27)
Tired Hu up for Showcase
"Japan Bound."
Bruce Bochy has been selected
to replace Terry Francona as
manager of the MLB All-Star contingent that will travel to Japan
next month. Also named to the 27-man roster were pitchers
Clay Hensley, from Bochy's San Diego staff, and John Maine of the
New York Mets. They replace Carlos Beltran who has a strained
abdominal and Johan Santana who is out with a shoulder tendonitis.
Bochy had previously managed the 2004 Major League trip to Japan.
(10/26) Bochy
to manage touring All-Stars
All-Star cast readies for Japan
"No Francona/Matsuzaka."
Just three days after accepting
an invitation to manage the
MLB All-Star team on a tour of Japan, Red Sox manager
Terry Francona had to withdraw because of an infection in his
left foot that currently has him hospitalized in California.
"Says Hu, Ch. 2."
Los Angeles Dodgers' Chin-Lung
Hu, in Arizona playing with the
Mesa Solar Sox continue chronicling his experiences in the AFL.
(10/20)
Hu brushes off hand injury
"Francona to the Far East."
Terry Francona replaces Ken
Macha as the manager of the
MLB All-Star contingent that will travel to Japan next month.
(10/20)
Francona to replace Macha in Japan
"NLCS Notes."
So Taguchi and the St. Louis
Cardinals are heading to Detroit,
Taguchi came in as a defense replacement in the 8th inning,
and thanks to Yadier Molina's homer on top of the 9th, it was
the difference maker as the Cardinals beat the Mets
3 - 1.
Game 1 of the World Series is set to begin on Saturday, and
the starters are rookies Justin Verlander and Anthony Reyes.
(10/19)
So Taguchi came in the game as
a pinch-hitter in the 9th inning,
and he once again delivered off against Billy Wagner. However,
Taguchi's 2 run double was the RBIs in the game for the Cardinals.
Taguchi stays perfect batting 1.000 in the postseason. The Mets'
pitching staff pitched a good game to take Game 6 by the score
of
4 - 2. Both teams will play the decisive Game 7 tomorrow to
determine who to face the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 World Series.
(10/18)
So Taguchi went 1 for 1 in a
pinch-hit cameo appearance,
and he stays perfect batting 3 for 3 in the postseason.
New York Mets take Game 4 from the St. Louis Cardinals,
12 - 5, and the NLCS is now tied two games a piece.
(10/15)
The Detroit Tigers punched
their tickets into the World Series as
they swept the Oakland Athletics. In the NLCS, So Taguchi appeared
again as a defense replacement late in the game, St. Louis Cardinals
take Game 3 from the New York Mets in a shutout fashion,
5 - 0.
(10/14)
"St. Louis' Spark."
Deja Vu all over again, like in
the NLDS, So Taguchi came in as a
defensive replacement late in the game, but he provided more
than being asked. Taguchi's second at-bat of the 2006 postseason
ended with his second home run of the 2006 postseason. The
St. Louis Cardinals chew up the New York Mets' bullpen in Game 2
of the NLCS, even the series one game a piece with the
9 - 6 win.
(10/13)
Cards stun Mets on Taguchi's homer
"Says Hu, Ch. 1."
Los Angeles Dodgers' shortstop
prospect Chin-Lung Hu
is currently in Arizona playing for the Mesa Solar Sox and
he chronicle his experiences in the Arizona Fall League.
(10/13)
Hu working on hitting
"Free Agents."
Hee Seop Choi and Sun
Woo Kim are now without a team
as
they both elected for free agency. Choi and Kim both played
for Korea in the WBC,
where
the team only lost one game the
entire tournament (to Japan).
Both players had a frustrating
season, Choi batted .207 with 8
homers and 27 RBIs in 66 games,
all with Red Sox's AAA Affiliate
Pawtucket Red Sox before suffering
a season ending knee injury
back in July. Kim on the other hand
did not fare much better, he
began the year in the Major League
with the Colorado Rockies, but
after couple bad outings he spend
couple months down in the Minor
with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox,
the Cincinnati Reds acquired him
for a player to be named later in
September, trying to make a push at the NL
wild card, Kim ended up
only pitching two terrible outings the
entire
month. In 2006,
Kim appeared in 8 games with the Rockies/Reds, and
had a
12.51 ERA. While with the Sky Sox, he went 8 - 6, with a 5.05
ERA.
"Seo Signed."
Jae Seo and the Tampa Bay Devil
Rays agreed to a one year
deal which includes a $1.2 million base with incentives.
So Taguchi and the St. Louis Cardinals will have to wait
until tomorrow as the rain postponed Game 1 of the NLCS.
Also, I want to send my thoughts and prayers to Cory Lidle's
family and the family of other victims in today's plane crash
at
Manhattan. Lidle was about the only active player who had the
guts to tell Barry Bonds to
admit his steroid use back in May.
(10/11)
Seo signs one-year deal with Rays
"Bid to Win."
Daisuke Matsuzaka, the highly
regarded Japanese pitcher who
gained International prominence by winning the MVP in the
inaugural World Baseball Classic back in March, will likely take his
impressive arsenal of pitches to the Major Leagues in 2007.
Matsuzaka was granted permission by his team, the Seibu Lions
to pursue a career in the Major Leagues. Seibu will use the
posting system in which Major League teams present bids, and
the highest bidder gets the exclusive negotiating rights with him.
Matsuzaka went 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA, beating Taiwan, Mexico,
and Cuba in the WBC. Matsuzaka finished the 2006 NPB season by
winning a career high 17 games with 2.13 ERA and 200 strikeouts.
(10/10)
Matsuzaka to pursue career in Majors
"MLB VS. NPB."
The Major League Baseball
All-Stars will head to Japan and play
six games against the Nippon Professional Baseball All-Stars
next month. The tour will represent a homecoming for Mariners
catcher Kenji Johjima, who hails from Sasebo, and White Sox
second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, the pride of Tokyo. Other big
name players on the roster of 27 players include Phillies' slugger
Ryan Howard, and Twins' ace pitcher Johan Santana. Ken Macha
of the Oakland Athletics will be managing the talented squad.
(10/10)
MLB unveils roster for Japan tour
"Baseball's Final Four."
Congratulations to the
Athletics, Cardinals, Mets, and the Tigers
who are moving on to the League Championship Series. So Taguchi
is the only Asian player that is still in this year's postseason.
(10/8)
"Going, Going, Gone!"
What a brutal performance by
the New York Yankees, seems
like they just could not win a game without Chien-Ming Wang
on the mound. Cano/Sheffield/A-Rod's postseason batting
average of .133/.083/.071 basically seal the fate of how far the
team could go this postseason. Hideki Matsui went hitless but
had a RBI in yet another losing effort, and he finishes the ALDS
with batting average of .250. The Detroit Tigers advances to the
ALDS by finishing off the New York Yankees at home by the score
of
8 - 3. You have to wonder, with one of the best hitting starting
lineup ever, where every players have been an All-Star sometime
during their career, the Yankees should have being capable of
produce as least 5 runs in just about every game they play in.
In St. Louis, So Taguchi had a pinch-hit solo homer on bottom
of the 8th inning, however, it was the only run the team would
generate the entire game. San Diego Padres stay alive by beating
the St. Louis Cardinals
3 - 1. Cardinals leads the serie 2 to 1.
At Dodger Stadium, Takashi Saito pitched 1 2/3 innings of
perfect baseball with 3 strikeouts, however the New York Mets
prove to be the more talented team by the score of
9 - 5, and
swept the Los Angeles Dodgers 3 games to none in the NLDS.
(10/7)
"State of Emergency."
Hideki Matsui went 1 for 4
while maintaining a respectable
.333 batting average during the ALDS, however most of his
other teammates got shutdown. Detroit Tigers shutout the
New York Yankees at home in Comerica Park,
6 - 0.
(10/6)
"Southpaw Showdown."
In a battle of lefties,
postseason veteran Tom Glavine got the better
end against the young 25 years old from Taiwan Hong-Chih Kuo. Kuo's
only
main mistake was by throwing a high wild pitch during the Glavine
at-bat in the 3rd inning, which allowed Endy Chavez advanced to
2nd base, Chavez advanced to 3rd base on Glavine's groundout in
front of the home plate, and then scored the first run of the game
when
Rafael Furcal bobbled Jose Reyes' bouncer. On the other hand,
Glavine
was very solid in his 6 innings of work, and Dodgers' bat just seem
could not get it going until reserve infielder Wilson Betemit, who
came
in the game for the injured Nomar Garciaparra hit a solo homer on
top of the 8th inning, which was too little, too late. New York Mets
defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers
4 - 1. Leads the serie 2 games to none.
At the Bronx, Hideki Matsui went 3 for 4 and scored
a run in a losing
effort, as the Detroit Tigers victorious over New
York Yankees
4 - 3.
(10/5)
"I Live For This."
Playoff time is here, and Chien-Ming
Wang had the honor of
starting Game 1 for the Yankees tonight. The Bronx Bombers
live up its nickname by torching Nate Robertson with 12 hits,
but Hideki Matsui went 0 for 4 for the night. Wang pitched well
except in the 5th inning, and he left the game on 93 pitches
with 2 outs in the 6th, New York Yankees went on to beat
Detroit Tigers
8 - 4, and I expect Wang to start again in Game 5.
Wang became the first Asian pitcher to win a postseason game,
and he joined an impressive list of foreign-born pitchers to have
started and won Game 1 of a postseason series, a list of names
that include Bartolo Colon, Orlando Hernandez, Pedro Martinez,
and legends such as Luis Tiant, and Fernando Valenzuela.
In the west coast, So Taguchi got in the game as a defense
replacement, while Chan Ho Park finished the game for
the Padres. St. Louis Cardinals beat San Diego Padres,
5 - 1.
The Dodgers/Mets serie starts tomorrow in New York, and
Hong-Chih Kuo is set to start in Game 2 against Tom Glavine,
in a battle of lefties on Thursday. Kuo beat the Mets
5 - 0
at Shea Stadium in his first Major League start last month.
(10/3)
Kuo returns to site of stunning debut
"Anchorman."
No, I'm not talking about the
comedy movie by Will Ferrell
portraying Ron Burgundy back in 2004. Believe it or not, back in
March during the Spring Training down in Tampa, who would have
thought that Chien-Ming Wang, instead of other high pay profile
pitcher such as Randy Johnson or Mike Mussina would get the
honor to pitch in Game 1 of the ALDS for the New York Yankees.
(10/1)
Expected or not, Wang takes ace role
"Pictures and Postseason."
I have added some pictures to
the slide show, and changed
the slide show name from Baltimore to Frank's Major League
Adventures since I visited both the Dolphin Stadium and
Tropicana Field earlier this year with my co-workers Jay and Mike.
Also, as the regular season finishes today, but for some
Asian Major Leaguers, Hideki Matsui, Chien-Ming Wang,
Takashi Saito, Hong-Chih Kuo, Chan Ho Park, and So Taguchi
to be exact, there will be postseason to prepare for.
My pick for the World Series this year is going to be
the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees, although
another Subway Series like the one back in 2000 is probably
what most fans (myself included) would like to see.
(10/1)
Frank's Major League Adventures
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mas
