Saturday, July 15, 2006
You Aren't Going to Believe Me...
With some Major League teams already out of contention, their fans have free agency to look forward to. The biggest name this offseason? Daisuke 
Matsuzaka...who? Daisuke Matsuzaka is the best pitcher in Japan (10-2, 2.03 ERA this year) and has expressed a desire to play in the Major Leagues next year. What distinguishes this 25-year-old Japanese pitcher from past Asian pitchers such as Hideo Nomo and Chan Ho Park? I'll tell you, his ridiculously absurd arm stamina. Here is some proof at how insane this guy's right arm is:
"Matsuzaka graduated from Yokohama High School in Japan in 1998. Matsuzaka became a national hero in 1998 when he pitched Yokohama High School into the Koshien Tournament and dominated the competition like no one before or since. In the quarterfinals of that year's Koshien national high school baseball tournament, he threw 250 pitches in 17 innings against traditional powerhouse P.L. Gakuen. In stifling heat, Matsuzaka pitched a game for the ages, emerging victorious. The very next day, in the final, he threw a no-hitter--the first ever in a final--to win both the tournament and the admiration of the nation. This performance garnered the attention of a great many scouts. After his graduation, he was taken by the Seibu Lions with the first pick of the 1998 draft." (courtesy of Wikipedia)
That might be the most amazing individual sports feat I have ever heard. 250 pitches and then a no-hitter the next day? I am in shock and disbelief. Certainly we will be hearing this guy's name a bunch this upcoming offseason. I can easily envision him in pinstripes.
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UPDATE: Here are three videos, clip 1 and clip 2 and my favorite, clip 3, of Matsuzaka's patented gyroball.
Matsuzaka...who? Daisuke Matsuzaka is the best pitcher in Japan (10-2, 2.03 ERA this year) and has expressed a desire to play in the Major Leagues next year. What distinguishes this 25-year-old Japanese pitcher from past Asian pitchers such as Hideo Nomo and Chan Ho Park? I'll tell you, his ridiculously absurd arm stamina. Here is some proof at how insane this guy's right arm is:
"Matsuzaka graduated from Yokohama High School in Japan in 1998. Matsuzaka became a national hero in 1998 when he pitched Yokohama High School into the Koshien Tournament and dominated the competition like no one before or since. In the quarterfinals of that year's Koshien national high school baseball tournament, he threw 250 pitches in 17 innings against traditional powerhouse P.L. Gakuen. In stifling heat, Matsuzaka pitched a game for the ages, emerging victorious. The very next day, in the final, he threw a no-hitter--the first ever in a final--to win both the tournament and the admiration of the nation. This performance garnered the attention of a great many scouts. After his graduation, he was taken by the Seibu Lions with the first pick of the 1998 draft." (courtesy of Wikipedia)
That might be the most amazing individual sports feat I have ever heard. 250 pitches and then a no-hitter the next day? I am in shock and disbelief. Certainly we will be hearing this guy's name a bunch this upcoming offseason. I can easily envision him in pinstripes.
---------------
UPDATE: Here are three videos, clip 1 and clip 2 and my favorite, clip 3, of Matsuzaka's patented gyroball.
11 Comments:
It's unclear whether Matsuka's team will post him prematurely. There is speculation, but I beleive he still has another year before he could traditionally be posted. Furthermore, Matsuka's price will be extremely high. Expect a 5 yr - $55 million contact plus $15-20 just for negotiating rights to his home club.
Let me also guarantee that he will not be worth that money over the course of his contract, especially if he ends up in NY.
In other baseball news, Saturday was the first day since Sept. 15, 1978 that not a single save was recorded.
Man, this guy is a modern day Satchel Paige!
Well this is a unique situation. You never see a team hand out $55 million to a guy who has never played a Major League game. Reminds me of Steve Nebraska in The Scout
HOLY FUCK! You're on deadspin.
Congrats on Deadspin!
He gets away with it because he's a knuckle baller.
Congrats on Deadspin brotha! Imagine if a decent team that lacked pitching could make the playoffs and then this guy pitched the entire playoffs for the team! Is this possible? How has this guy's arm not fallen off yet...unbelievable.
so, steinbrenner's all over this, right?
How could he not be! Imagine all the money he will get from TV and advertising in Japan!
rj4rEj The best blog you have!
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