Ex MLBers to Japan and Vice Versa?

I think it's pretty much even (percentage wise) when you compare both successes and not meeting expectations among American and Japanese players that have "jumped" leagues. I just think it is more heard of in the MLB because it has a higher exposure globally. Players that go to Japan have a better opportunity because management is more patient than in the MLB.

Here in America there is that "what have you done for me lately?" or "are you ready right now?" mentality and players often get set down and never get heard of again. Whereas in Japan the get sent to ni-gun to re-focus and have several opportunities to get brought back up.

I think players like Cabrera, Rhoades, Fernandez, and Ochoa would of have very decent careers in the MLB had they been given a chance to play like they were given in NPB. I'm not saying they would have been super stars, but they could have been regulars on plenty of teams. However, I am happy they've had success in Japan and are enjoying very good careers there.

I have followed most of them from the days in their native country baseball leagues and have been rooting for them all along. Plus, I think that a great career in NPB is as good as a great one in MLB. Many may disagree, but it's all a matter of opinion.

The same way some people believe the home run record is 762, some will say it's still 755, others even dare say it never went past 714; I believe it was set back in 1980 and still stands at 868, but that is a different topic.

- How is it, that some MLB players who are below average come to Japan and have great careers, but you have Japanese players with great careers have them carry over to MLB?

It really goes both ways, if a player is willing to adjust to the culture in Japan or MLB, then they have a chance to succeed. Does this guarantee they will succeed? No. It's just helps them do so.

Also, MLB and NPB are littered with their fair share of import flame outs and below average players.

- Players that go to Japan have a better opportunity because management is more patient than in the MLB.

Once again, another statement you can't prove. This is only an opinion. MLB teams are willing a lot of times to give players an opportunity that have no place on a MLB team. It is the same in NPB, too. If you don't produce, then you should be gone, that simple.

- I think players like Cabrera, Rhoades, Fernandez, and Ochoa would of have very decent careers in the MLB had they been given a chance to play like they were given in NPB.

Once again, there is no proof to know how Cabrera, Rhodes, or Fernandez would have done in MLB based on such a small sample size. Cabrera was already 28 when he reached the majors, who's to say the league would not solve him the next year? Rhodes was given his fair opportunity in 1994 and struggled. As for all of them, I'm happy they succeeded in Japan.

As for Ochoa, he went on to have a respectable career, not overly great, but average enough to last 8 seasons as mostly a productive fourth outfielder, but for some reason didn't get any MLB offers. I'll give you that Ochoa didn't get his fair share.

Also, yes, I agree with you that a great career is a great career regardless of where it is.

It is all about the ability to adapt to a new culture, style of play, and surroundings.

Thanks everyone.

Ochoa, as veteran Japanese baseball watchers remember, came to Japan when Kevin Millar refused to go, after the Dragons had signed Millar to a contract. He didn't want to "Samurai-up" I suppose. Ochoa had already reported to spring training with the St. Louis Cardinals, but had taken a huge pay cut after the Angels did not offer him arbitration that winter. I read in an article where Ochoa was quoted that Millar did him a "big favor" by opening up a more lucrative opportunity for him overseas.

I don't know what in the blazes kept the Orioles from signing Ochoa in that off-season of '03 (Ochoa had been the prize of their farm system in the early '90s) because in the next four years the O's subjected their fans to horrible outfield play by the likes of Jack Cust, Karim Garcia, Fernando Tatis, and an infielder named Fahey who was moved to the outfield because the O's were shorthanded there.

Since Ochoa is a Scott Boras client, I wonder if that was the reason the Orioles and many other teams passed on him.