Greatest Japanese players in New York Yankees history
Dishonorable Mentions:
While there have been Japanese players who have succeeded in the Bronx spotlight, there have been others that… Well, have failed miserably.
The biggest failure of them all would have to be Kei Igawa.
[sc name=”Yankees Link Related” link=”https://elitesportsny.com/2017/01/02/new-york-yankees-retiring-numbers-plaque-ceremonies-must-end-436/” text=”Retiring numbers, plaque ceremonies must end” ]
Igawa came to the United States with huge expectations to perform. Those expectations were soon smashed as Igawa didn’t live up to his potential.
In 2007, he arrived in the Bronx and put up a 2-3 record with a 6.25 ERA in 14 games. When he was sent down to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre, we all figured Igawa’s one and only shot at the majors was over. However, he was given a second chance.
That second chance last two games. In those two games after being called up after an untimely injury to starter Ian Kennedy, he posted a 13.50 ERA in just four innings pitched.
That was all for Igawa in the Bronx. He remained in the minor league system until he opted for free agency in 2011.
[sc name=”Yankees Link Slideshow” link=”elitesportsny.com/2017/01/03/greatest-japanese-players-in-new-york-yankees-history/3″ text=”Hideki Irabu” ]
Allison is just a girl with an enormous passion for the game of baseball and the written word. Based in Upstate New York, her life-long relationship with the New York Yankees is something that she developed through close relationships with her mother and grandfather. An aspiring sports writer, she graduated with a journalism degree and is finding places to share her excitement about the sporting world and how it affects us all.
