Slimmer Igawa Wants To Do Well
Via the Yomiuri Shimbun:
Kei Igawa looked fit and prepared for his third season in the United States as the former Hanshin Tigers’ lefty arrived Friday in Tampa, Fla., for the New York Yankees’ preseason camp.
“I struggled last year and even running in camp was hard because I couldn’t move well,” said a slimmer Igawa, who played for Triple-A team Scranton last season.
Igawa, who has 86 wins with 3.14 ERA, is 2-3 over two seasons for New York.
In the minors, however, the 29-year-old Ibaraki native was 14-6 with a 3.45 ERA last season.
“I actually managed to get some results last season,” said Igawa. “I want to really pitch the way I’m capable of the whole season.”
How funny would it be if Igawa lined-up up with Jeter, Mo, ‘Sado, Pettitte, Teixeira, Girardi and the others tomorrow at A-Rod’s press conference?
How funny would it be if Igawa lined-up up with Jeter, Mo, ‘Sado, Pettitte, Teixeira, Girardi and the others tomorrow at A-Rod’s press conference?
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It’d be pretty funny, along the lines of how he looked confused in the clubhouse after the Yanks clinched a playoff berth in 2007.
He’s slimmer? I remember him to be a pretty skinny guy, I guess he’s probably Edwar territory now
If Kei Igawa didn’t suck so much, there is a distinct possibility that he would be my favorite player. Seriously, if he were good, fans would love the guy. On account of he’s totally and entertainingly insane.
He’s slimmer? I remember him to be a pretty skinny guy, I guess he’s probably Edwar territory now
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This is true. I’m pretty sure the “slimmer and more fit (fill in player name here)” story is just one of those templates sports reporters always use when they don’t have anything else to write about. Even in Japan and when it doesn’t make any sense, apparently.
I don’t think weight was the problem, unless his pitching arm was too fat.
Seriously, if he were good, fans would love the guy. On account of he’s totally and entertainingly insane.
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I totally agree.
I don’t think weight was the problem, unless his pitching arm was too fat.
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Nah, it’s not the weight, his problem was/is keeping the ball down.
I don’t think weight was the problem, unless his pitching arm was too fat.
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Nah, it’s not the weight, his problem was/is keeping the ball down.
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His problem is that he can’t pitch properly! He also doesn’t have the mental makeup to pitch in NYC. Have you seen this guy’s face on the mound? He seems like he struggles even in the first inning! And the sunglasses? He looks like an extra out of a Godzilla or anime film with those stupid sunglasses.
His problem is that he can’t pitch properly! He also doesn’t have the mental makeup to pitch in NYC.
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Nah…
http://tinyurl.com/4sl34d
“There is actually a lot to like about Kei Igawa, so Yankee fans, don’t quit just yet. I think a lot could be resolved for Kei with a shortening of his stride. I really like the momentum and aggression in his drive towards the plate. I would just prefer that that drive be much more downhill. His stuff, down in the zone, can be effective. Whoever scouted and signed him didn’t get that completely wrong. Perhaps what they did not anticipate was the trouble he’d having in changing his mechanics. Although he dominated a Triple-A lineup on Thursday, there was not a truly dramatic change in his location; he was up a lot. So, it begs the question; will he come to the realization that his delivery works at Triple-A and in Japan but not at the MLB level? Only time will tell.”
He had an interesting season for SWB in 2008, I am curious to see what kind of season he will post for them in 2009.
And the sunglasses? He looks like an extra out of a Godzilla or anime film with those stupid sunglasses.
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Borderline racist comment? Idk…could have made the same point in a different way. Careful.
He also doesn’t have the mental makeup to pitch in NYC.
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I think we all know Igawa was a poor addition, but I always argue the “makeup for New York” idea that people throw out there. To argue for a player at the other end of the spectrum, butchie, I have heard you say on numerous times that A-Rod doesn’t have the makeup for New York. Yet, since the day we acquired him, he’s hit more homers than anyone else in that span (208), scored the most runs (596) and driven in the second most runs (616). Like RAB said, he’s a guy you literally trade for a million out of a million times. He may cause outside distractions like we’ll see later today, but you can’t argue that production. Maybe, in Igawa’s case, he just doesn’t have the skill to make it in New York, or anywhere in the U.S. for that matter, and it was a poorly made decision on Cashman’s part.
but I always argue the “makeup for New York” idea that people throw out there.
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This is especially flawed in the case of Igawa, given the rabid fanbase of the Hanshin Tigers, as well as the constant presence of the media in Japan.
This is especially flawed in the case of Igawa, given the rabid fanbase of the Hanshin Tigers, as well as the constant presence of the media in Japan.
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Good point Raf, never really thought of that.