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12/03/2002 Archived Entry: "Matsui Agent Saga Takes Another Turn, Hires Tellem"
Arn Tellem, Not Boras or Shapiro is Matsui Agent; No, Really
Contrary to previous reports that first had Scott Boras and then Ronald Shapiro as the agent for Hideki Matsui, Nikkan Sports and Chunichi Sports are each reporting today that the lucky rep will actually be Arn Tellem, who also fronts for Jason Giambi, Nomar Garciaparra and Mike Mussina. The paper quotes Matsui as saying no contract has been signed yet, but that he and Tellem have "largely reached agreement" on their deal. Tellem told reporters that he was "honored to be chosen." Things could end up happening pretty quickly from here on in, as Godzilla reportedly wants to wrap up negotiations with his new team before the end of the year.
Hasegawa to Run Winter Kids Camp
Seattle Mariners reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa will be operating a weeklong winter baseball camp for Japanese kids from December 25th through January 1st. Called the "Mr. Baseball Training Camp," the regimen includes curriculum designed by Hasegawa and will have coaches who mainly played in the Japanese industrial leagues helping out. The camp will be held in Costa Mesa, California and the camp participants, who are limited to sixth through ninth grade males, will have a chance to test themselves against a local Southern California Little League team as well as go on a trip to Disneyland, do some shopping and have a barbecue party. Total cost will be in the $3,000 range.
Participants will stay at the Holiday Inn Costa Mesa after arriving on All Nippon Airways and will be limited to 50 kids. The whole undertaking is sponsored by Nihon Express.
As souvenirs of the experience, participants will receive a baseball autographed by Hasegawa as well as have a chance to take a picture with the righthander. A video of the experience will also be provided free to the campers.
For more info in Japanese, go to: Camp Details
Hot Shots....
Daiei Hawks catcher Kenji Johjima, who had a pretty nice season (25 homers, 74 RBIs .293 average in 115 games) despite a broken shoulder in June, had his pay slashed by his ballclub to the tune of nearly $300,000 and will pull in $1.6 million next year. At 26, Johjima would draw a lot of interest from MLB if he asks to be posted. But his response to the press to all this wasn't outrage, but rather vowing to have a better year in 2003 and help his team win the pennant. He will be eligible for free agency in three years. Johjima also reportedly wants to play in the 2004 olympics ....Yomiuri hurler Hiroki Sanada was given a more than $100,000 salary increase to about $180,000 after winning six games. I wonder what Johjima thinks of that....Giants setup man Hideki Okajima maintained his salary at $1.4 million....Chunichi Dragons utility man Masahiro Araki was given a $50,000 pay boost to $300,000. His teammate, Hiroyuki Watanabe, fattened his bank account by $40,000 to $250,000....Yokohama is said to be offering Devil Rays first baseman Steve Cox a three year pact for an average of $800,000 a season. The team also shrunk Hitoshi Nakane's salary by $80,000 to around $500,000. Infielder Seiichi Uchikawa saw his salary inflate by $55,000 to $120,000 while pitcher Susumu Nakanowatari went down by $40,000 to $160,000.Yano took a 25% decline to about $55,000. Shortstop Takuro Ishii signed for what he got this past campaign, $2 million plus incentives. Their number one starter, Daisuke Miura, had successful elbow surgery today and will be able to begin playing catch in a month.... Yuki Tanaka, probably the most pleasant surprise for Orix this past season, was awarded a raise of around $110,000 to in the neighborhood of $175,000....Yomiuri outfielder Yoshinobu Takahashi and infielder Daisuke Motoki did cameo appearances in a drama for Asahi TV called "Taiho Shichau zo" that will be broadcast on the 12th. They played themselves....Former Hanshin manager Katsuya Nomura and his hellion of a wife Sachi judged a beautiful legs contest Monday....The Expos put Masato Yoshii on waivers ....Fourth round draftee Masahiro Nagata will become the first Yomiuri rookie to start spring training at the big club level with the team since Hideki Matsui ten years ago. If they keep him, they had better use him. That kind of talent needs playing time to develop....Norihiro Nakamura had another negotiating session with Hanshin today at an Osaka steakhouse. They basically said yes to all of his demands, but he is still holding off on a decision pending what he hears from the Mets, and if an MLB.com report is correct, the SF Giants....
Dodgers to Play Exhibition Games in Mexico
See story at:Sporting News Article
Questions About Matsui's Ability, Marketability Arising?
See story at: NY Post Article
Mariners Hope Winn Instead of Matsui is Wiser Choice
See story at: Bremerton Sun Article
