Rhodes Surpasses Boomer, Nakamura Matches Komada
Discussion in the NPB News forum
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Nakamura
[ Author: Guest: George Steinbrennernot | Posted: Aug 24, 2003 11:31 PM
]
OK Michael, you brought up Norihiro Nakamura. Despite my name, I am really a New York Mets fan (ergo, I can't root for the Yomiuri Giants, but for the Hanshin Tigers). Nakamura-san's exploits in New York left a bad taste in my mouth.
The NY press reported that he backed out of a verbal (maybe even written contract) because he was insulted that the Mets leaked the story of his signing, against a verbal agreement before he could tell his own team, and that he could not work for such untrustworthy people as the Mets. In reality, MLB.com leaked the story, an independent entity, not the Mets, who had nothing to gain by doing so. Nakamura-san left town in a hurry and in a hummmphhh.
The NY press went on to say that he changed his mind because: (1) the $$$ were less than he thought, (2) a Japanese baseball figure appealed to his sense of patriotism not to go, (3) He did not want to share the media spotlight with Matsui-san, who he feared would overshadow him, and (4) he chickened out.
From the numbers he put up this season, I don't see it as a great loss. I understand the importance of trust, but I think the Mets were honorable (graciously letting him bow out of a commitment) and they really didn't leak the story, honoring Nakamura-san's wishes. The whole deal seems pretty lame to me on Nakamura-san's part. Others thought Nakamura-san's behavior was bizarre. What is the real deal, or at least the deal on your side of the Pacific?
The NY press reported that he backed out of a verbal (maybe even written contract) because he was insulted that the Mets leaked the story of his signing, against a verbal agreement before he could tell his own team, and that he could not work for such untrustworthy people as the Mets. In reality, MLB.com leaked the story, an independent entity, not the Mets, who had nothing to gain by doing so. Nakamura-san left town in a hurry and in a hummmphhh.
The NY press went on to say that he changed his mind because: (1) the $$$ were less than he thought, (2) a Japanese baseball figure appealed to his sense of patriotism not to go, (3) He did not want to share the media spotlight with Matsui-san, who he feared would overshadow him, and (4) he chickened out.
From the numbers he put up this season, I don't see it as a great loss. I understand the importance of trust, but I think the Mets were honorable (graciously letting him bow out of a commitment) and they really didn't leak the story, honoring Nakamura-san's wishes. The whole deal seems pretty lame to me on Nakamura-san's part. Others thought Nakamura-san's behavior was bizarre. What is the real deal, or at least the deal on your side of the Pacific?
Re: Nakamura
[ Author: Guest: Jim Albright | Posted: Aug 25, 2003 10:41 AM
]
I'll save Michael the trouble of suggesting you should have searched the site -- you would have found this thread.
Jim Albright
Jim Albright
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For Rhodes, it was his 278th career home run here in Japan, pushing him over Boomer's 277 to rank him 2nd for foreign players behind Leron Lee (Leon's brother) who hit 285 during his long Japanese career. With 7 to go and 30 games remaining, Rhodes has a serious chance to match and surpass Lee.
Nakamura's home run was a grand slam to put the game out of reach in the bottom of the 7th. The grand slam was Nakamura's career 13th, matching "Grand Slam Otoko" Komada Norihiro for 3rd place in that category. Oh Sadaharu (15) and Fujii Yasuo (14) are the only two players ahead of him, now.