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.
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.
