They’ve since trained with each other in the offseason on occasion and maintain an open line of communication via text now that they are both pursuing their careers in the U.S. The two finally met after Ohtani’s rookie season with the Fighters at a dinner in 2014 in Tokyo with a handful of other players. 11 means a lot to the Fighters organization and I just knew I needed to step my game up to be able to wear that number.” “Obviously that was a huge honor for them to offer his number to me,” Ohtani said. It didn’t hurt having Darvish’s old number, 11, to dangle in front of Ohtani.
#YU DARVISH STATS PROFESSIONAL#
Unlike Darvish, Ohtani was intent on bypassing Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan in favor of immediately beginning a climb through the minors in the United States.īut the Fighters’ pitch included an opportunity that was far from a beaten path in America: be a two-way player. The two sides ultimately agreed to a six-year, $60 million pact to begin his MLB career.Ī year after Darvish’s departure, the Fighters set their sights on another high school unicorn. His ceiling was so limitless that the Rangers, under the old posting system, forked over $51.7 million to the Fighters just for the right to negotiate with Darvish. In between, he was a two-time Pacific League MVP, a five-time All-Star and a three-time strikeout king. He was one of my favorites.”ĭarvish, after all, led all Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers in ERA, wins and shutouts from the time he burst onto the scene with the Fighters as an 18-year-old until departing to the United States before the 2012 season. I mean, he just had nasty pitches, making great throws and his presence on the mound was unbelievable. “ … He was my favorite pitcher growing up. “He’s someone I’ve always wanted to face one day,” Ohtani said through an interpreter after touching 100 mph in Friday’s seven-inning start. He last threw Friday in Anaheim and has yet to pitch on fewer than five days’ rest this year, making it highly unlikely that he finds his way to the mound during this two-game stop.Īnd, because the DH is not in play, either, and Ohtani, 27, has yet to start a game in the outfield, a long-awaited matchup with the pitcher he emulated while growing up in Japan could hinge on whether Angels manager Joe Maddon sees an opportunity to call on his best left-handed-bat in the pinch while Darvish is still in Wednesday’s game. Ohtani’s well-being has tailored a season-long plan that could make the AL MVP favorite sparsely seen this week at Petco Park. More than two times the stress on your body.” “If you’re playing only as a pitcher the season is tough - the stress on your body - but he’s doing both and playing every day as a DH and pitching every seven, every eight days.
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