Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Dave Chance]

One last hurrah before becoming extinct

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuMVXqg_5oc

[northway]

He's really, really good. Looks like the best NPB pitcher to have made the jump.

[Dave Chance]

U can say that again.

Made A-Rod look like a minor leaguer.

[slothrop]

seasons only 6 weeks old. how many major leaguers start out 6-0 only to end up hurt or 12-12 on the season. also, every rookie has a distinct advantage his first time round the league. it's the second time that proves he's for real. that said. he'd have to be better than nomo was for the first few years to be considered the BEST pitcher out of japan.

funny aside;i remember when the yanks broke the bank to aquire hideki irabu, who then proceeded to set records in home runs allowed. one rumor going around was that the scouting report had him clocked at 100. the yanks thought it was MPH, but it was in fact kilometers per hour.LOL

[northway]

I didn't say he was the best, but he looks like the best. It's worth noting that he was much, much better than Nomo in Japan (not that he was bad, by any means). I've watched a couple of his starts and he's definitely avoided Matsuzaka's nibbling problems, so far. He also has a better build for a starting pitcher than most of the Japanese guys who have made the jump. On top of all that, if anyone knows pitching, it's Nolan Ryan. He might not continue to be this good, but I think he'll settle in as the ace of that staff, which is saying something, considering how deep they were already.

For me, the most amazing thing is that he can throw around 90 left handed, which he routinely does as part of his warm up, the logic apparently being that he wants to keep his body in balance.

[Dave Chance]

His better body build is due to his father being Iranian.

That's also contributed to his mental toughness, as 'halves' (especially of non-western origin) aren't treated very nicely growing up in Japan, and may have prepared him well for taking on the challenges of making it in the US.

[northway]

[Dave Chance]

Yeah, well, it's sink or swim, looks like Darvish's a swimmer to me.

Also, Irabu's dad was American. Darvish's father being Iranian has always put him in the position of underdog.

Any case, yeah these are all specualtions so it'll be interesting to see how the thing plays out.

[slothrop]

2 questions...

u guys think a 1st year player in the majors should be elligible for rookie of the year honors if he has already had a successful carrer in another country?

is ichiro a first ballot hall of famer?

i would say no to the 1st question, yes to the 2nd. just my opinion.

[jfromtheway]

I wish it was easier for me to keep up with the MLB and American sports in general here. ESPN android app is all I got.

Ichiro better be a first ballot hall of famer. No question about that in my mind. One of the best hitters of all time. I wore my Ichiro jersey shirt to a baseball game in Korea a couple weeks ago, got quite a few death stares. At least I thought it was funny.

[Dave Chance]

[rollo]

This guy looks for real. Great pitchers are rare. I have a feeling this guy is going to be around for a while. Good frame and seems to have a good work ethic.

[flakfizer]

[slothrop]

[Adam Carolla]