[Previous entry: "NPB Takes Third in a Row in Exciting Game That Nobody Got to See"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Bonds Slams Big Leaguers to First Victory Over Japanese All Stars"]
11/14/2002 Archived Entry: "Gentleman, Start Your Negotiations"
Hot Shots....
Today marks the day when ballclubs can negotiate with free agents....The MLB all stars took a trip today to historic Osaka Castle and then headed for the airport for tomorrow's game at Sapporo Dome....Former major leaguer Jim Traber, who played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes and is currently in Japan for the NPB-MLB series, praised Norihiro Nakamura and then joked, "how about if he goes to America and I take his place here?" Jacque Jones clowned around at batting practice, imitating Nakamura's batting style. An assistant to Texas Rangers GM Scott Boras (okay, I'm kidding, but just a little), a gent named Michael Fiore, said that he thinks Nakamura could succeed in MLB....The Kintetsu Buffaloes new offer for him is now reported to be six years for a total of $27 million plus incentives....Art Howe nudged Kazuo Matsui and said, "let's play together sometime." No word if a tampering investigation is imminent.... The president of the Yokohama Bay Stars, Takashi Ohori, resigned today, taking responsibility for the club's last place finish in the Central League.... Hideki Irabu has been released by the Texas Rangers....The Yakult Swallows are considering drafting Kansas City Royals righty Makoto Suzuki, though it will be on the fourth round or lower, according to Sports Nippon. Lotte had been mentioned earlier as adopting the same tactic....Daiei is working out Boston Red Sox minor leaguer Bryant Nelson, 28, in their fall camp. He batted .265 in 34 MLB at bats as a second baseman....Hideki
Matsui says he wants to keep his number 55 with his new team. However, on the Yankees, that pair of fives is worn by Ramiro Mendoza.
MLB Team a Big Flop in Japan
See story at: Jim Caple Article
Godzilla Cutting the Apron Strings
I'm rather dubious about Marty's analysis of the MLB ballparks (Fenway friendly to lefty hitters? Since when? And rightfield is about the only place in Safeco where the ball carries well), but anyway, see story at:
Marty Kuehnert Article
Matsui Eager to Wear Pinstripes
See story at: NY Daily News Article
Cabrera Stealing Matsui's Thunder
See story at:ETaiwan News Article
Taiwan, Korea Advance in Intercontinental Cup Tourney
See story at:Taipei Times Article
Today in Japanese Baseball History
This report is for November 13th and on that date in Japanese baseball history in 1944, the Japanese league (it was a single league system then) decided to suspend its season due to the war.
Also on that date in 1951, a team of MLB all stars were beaten by an all star aggregation from the Pacific League 3-1. This was the first time a Japanese club had beaten an MLB nine. Susumu Yuki, a pitcher with the Nankai Hawks who went 19-5 with a 2.08 ERA that season, got credit for the victory. Yuki, lifetime, finished his nine year career with a record of 123-64 and an ERA of 2.49.
