Why Japanese players stay in the US

Have you heard the story of a mutinous crew burning their ship near the Cannary Islands, marooning themselves to never return? Irabu basically did that.

In 1996, Irabu was the top pitcher in Pro Yakyu, and decided that he wanted to pursue his dream of playing in the Majors, no matter what his team, the Chiba Lotte Marines said. To that end, I admired his self confidence and insistance to be let go. But after Lotte traded rights to negotiate with Irabu to San Deigo, chaos abound. There were rumors that the Yankees had already made Irabu a better offer (which spawned threats of an investigation into tampering). Irabu's insistance to be trade to the Yankees and only the Yankees was viewed by many as confirmation to these rumors.

Irabu's agent, Dan (a.k.a. Don and/or Donold) Nomura (step-son to the former great Nankai, Yakult, and Hanshin skipper) made things worse with what appeared to be underhanded tactics both with this deal and with originally handling Nomo. I was under the impression that Nomura-kantoku was the only one who would allow him near his team at that time. Lotte certainly wanted to have nothing to do with him.

Nonetheless, Irabu and Nomura whined as long as Sam I Am, and Lotte, having enough bad press due to banking with Hirooka-GM instead of Valentine-kantoku, finally gave in. Irabu was traded to the Yankees with a very bitter taste left in Lotte's - and Pro Yakyu's - mouth. (And that wasn't bitter chocolate.)

In the aftermath of the whole fiasco, the posting system was created. The purpose of the posting system was two fold: (1) to allow a ball club to profit from losing a player before he reached free agency, and (2) to prevent a player from having free choice in his selection of who to be traded to before reaching free agency. A second "scandle" like Irabu pulled off would not be tollerated.

In lue of this, I find it highly unlikely that any team in Japan would ever welcome Irabu to their try-outs - even if he does make a tremendous come back in the Majors. It has more to do with his attitude than with his tallent.

By contrast, Yoshii was well liked by all, and left on good terms as a free agent. Unless his arm is really spent, I can't think of a reason why any team wouldn't bring him back - like Kida had no problem returning.

While Nomo left on very bad terms with Kitetsu, I could see that he would be welcomed back as he has become a pioneering hero. However, I was under the impression that Nomo burned his boats with the desire to remain a Major Leaguer until he couldn't throw any more. A match by the name of "Major League Pride."

With Yoshii, I think it's just a matter of anemities. The Majors have better facilities, work out in warm weather in the spring, charter flights and nice, single hotel rooms. He has said before that he wants to pitch until no one will offer him a contract, so I think as long as he can get a contract in the Majors he'll pitch there. If he can't get one in the Majors but he can get one in Japan, he'll pitch there. But for the most part playing for the Expos is probably nicer than playing for any Japanese team...

Irabu is not welcomed in Japan.
Also his arm is shot and his attitude is rotten.
He probably cannot make it over there anymore.

At present, Irabu has an ERA of just over 5 and has just earned his first save of the year, coming out of the bullpen in Texas. That club's relief staff is in turmoil, something he seems to be comfortable with.