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 Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 4:08 pm
Tsuyoshi Shinjo--OF (2001-03)  One of most popular players in Japan because of his dyed hair n' wristbands, Shinjo didn't had an abbreviated stay in majors. Mets purchased him in December 2000 for $500,000. In 3 big league seasons he played in 303 games, finishin' with 20 homers and a .245 average.
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Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 4:11 pm
Takahito Nomura--LHP (2002) After 10 seasons in Japan, 33-year-old Nomura signed with Brewers for 1 year, $600,000. He pitched only 13 2/3 innings for Brewers in his lone season in majors. Part 2 tomorrow
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:18 pm
Here's part 2 of From Japan to America Kazuhisa Ishii--LHP (2002-05) He got $900,000 in his 1st season (2002) with Dodgers but pulled down $5.6 million combined over next 2. He averaged 13 wins n' 8 losses with L.A., but went 3-9 in 2005 with a strugglin' Mets team while raking in $3.6 million in his final season in bigs.
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:21 pm
So Taguchi--OF (2002-present) Versatile Taguchi has spent 4 seasons in Cardinals organization but didn't become a semi-regular in majors until injuries slowed Larry Walker n' Reggie Sanders. He helped St. Louis reach 2006 World Series with a go-ahead homer in Game 2 of NLCS. His original two-year contract with Cards was for $2.4 million. He re-signed as a free agent in 2005, gettin' $550,000 that year n' $825,000 last season.
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:24 pm
Satoru Komiyama--RHP (2002) Labeled as a Japanese equivalent to Greg Maddux, Komiyama played only 1 season in States. At age 36, he didn't fare well, postin' an 0-3 record with a 5.61 ERA.
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:30 pm
Hideki Matsui--OF (2003-present) "Godzilla," as he was known in Japan, has been an unqualified success since signin' a 3-year, $21 million deal with Yankees before 2003 season. Matsui drove in at least 100 runs each of his first 3 seasons before sittin' out most of 2006 with an injury.
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:34 pm
Michael Nakamura--RHP (2003-04) Nakamura was born in Japan but raised in Australia. He played college baseball at University of South Alabama, pitched 2 years in majors n' in 2006 set single-season saves record for Japanese Pacific League.
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:37 pm
Kaz Matsui--SS/2B (2004-present) After hittin' a home run in his 1st at-bat, it was all downhill for Matsui. He was switched from shortstop to 2nd base after his rookie season of 2004 because of ineffectiveness and was traded in 2006, final year of his 3-year, $20.1 million contract.
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:40 pm
Akinori Otsuka--RHP (2004-present) A setup man for Padres in 2004 n' 2005, when he averaged only $750,000 per season, Otsuka became Rangers' closer last season n' finished with 32 saves n' a 2.11 ERA.
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:43 pm
Tadahito Iguchi--2B (2005-present) 30-year-old Iguchi solidified Chicago White Sox's infield n' No. 2 spot in their lineup n' helped lead them to a World Series title in his rookie year of 2005. He batted .278 with 15 home runs, 15 stolen bases n' finished 4th in AL Rookie of Year balloting.
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:47 pm
Takashi Saito--RHP (2006-present) Dodgers found a golden oldie in Saito, who as a 36-year-old rookie led team in saves with 24 in 2006.
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:50 pm
Kenji Johjima--C (2006-present) Johjima is 1 of few Japanese position players to thrive in America. After signin' a 3-year, $16.5 million deal with Mariners, Johjima batted .291 with 18 home runs in 2006, his 1st season in majors.
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Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 11:14 am
man, there are a lot of Japense players sweatdrop i never knew there were so many! i thought there was like a total of 3 xd
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Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:21 am
Here's a gallery I like to call--Mario Lemieux: Career Scrapbook For 2 decades, Mario Lemieux was face of hockey in Pittsburgh. n' despite all his health problems, Super Mario delivered on all fronts.
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Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:24 am
Whether it was bird stitched on his jersey or real-life version, Lemieux made it cool to be a Penguin.
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