Los Angeles – Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo reacted with shock, grief and gratitude in the wake of the loss of Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, who died from a heart attack on Thursday at age 93. Lasorda, who won two World Series titles during his 20-year […]
Temps de lecture : 6 Minutes
Bad timing spoils Tomoyuki Sugano’s MLB aspirations
It simply wasn’t the right time for Tomoyuki Sugano. After sacrificing one year of his career for the Yomiuri Giants — after the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters won his rights in the 2011 draft — and then giving the Kyojin eight seasons of elite-level pitching, the door to MLB finally […]
Temps de lecture : 7 Minutes
Beloved Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda dies at 93
Los Angeles – Tommy Lasorda, the colorful and cantankerous former manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers who led the team to four National League pennants and two World Series titles in the 1970s and ’80s, has died. He was 93. Lasorda, who spent more than 70 years in the Dodgers […]
Temps de lecture : 2 Minutes
Tomoyuki Sugano fails to find MLB team, will return to Giants
Ace right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano will return to the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Central League after his posting system deadline to sign a contract with a major league team expired, MLB.com reported Thursday. Sugano, 31, who recently won his second CL MVP award, had until 5 p.m. in New York to […]
Temps de lecture : 2 Minutes
Giants reach deal with former MLB All-Star Justin Smoak
The Yomiuri Giants have agreed to a contract with longtime major league first baseman and designated hitter Justin Smoak, the Central League champions said Thursday. Yomiuri will sign the 34-year-old switch hitter as a free agent from the San Francisco Giants on a two-year deal believed to be worth $3 […]
Temps de lecture : 8 Minutes
Reformers look to fix Japan’s damaging youth baseball culture
Yokohama – Hampered by excessive, old-fashioned training methods, a win-at-all-costs mentality and the heavy burden placed on parents, participation rates in Japanese youth baseball have been tumbling at a rapid pace. In an attempt to save the sport from a self-inflicted crisis, some youth clubs, sports academics and even professional […]
Temps de lecture : 2 Minutes
Fighters captain Haruki Nishikawa to stay in Japan
Outfielder Haruki Nishikawa remains a member of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, the club announced Sunday, after his deadline to sign with a major league team elapsed. The 28-year-old center fielder had until 5 p.m. on Saturday in New York to complete a deal with a new team to play […]
Temps de lecture : 2 Minutes
Yu Darvish excited to begin new chapter with Padres in San Diego
Los Angeles – Yu Darvish is excited to compete for titles with the San Diego Padres following his move in a blockbuster trade from the Chicago Cubs, the 34-year-old pitcher said Thursday. In an emotional online press conference, Darvish expressed shock at the suddenness of his departure from the Cubs […]
Temps de lecture : 2 Minutes
Giants announce agreement with slugger Eric Thames
Slugging first baseman and outfielder Eric Thames, who rejuvenated his major league career with three monster seasons in South Korea, is poised to return to Asia after agreeing to terms with the Yomiuri Giants, the Central League club announced Wednesday. The 34-year-old will arrive in Japan with 96 career home […]
Temps de lecture : 4 Minutes
Yu Darvish headed to Padres as part of seven-player trade
San Diego – The aggressive San Diego Padres traded for another big arm on Tuesday night, acquiring Yu Darvish in a blockbuster deal with the Chicago Cubs. The Padres got Darvish, catcher Victor Caratini and cash from the Cubs for right-hander Zach Davies and four young minor leaguers. The switch-hitting […]