Memories of Norichika Aoki

[Edgy MD]

Our 2017 stopgap outfielder has been reportedly signed away by The Yakult Swallows.

I don't believe there will be any compensation.

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[Guest 41Forever]

He exceeded my expectations!

[Edgy MD]

He expected my excedings!

[Centerfield]

Was all over the highlight reels for this "great" catch in the ALDS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffvL--nN5Hs

Basically, he doesn't read the spin off the bat, takes the wrong route, realizes late that the ball is tailing away, then has to dive to recover. It was all over the highlight shows as a great diving catch.

He did this a couple of time with the Mets too. Struck me that he's kind of an "anti-Beltran". Carlos would have tracked that ball, taken the direct route, camped underneath it, carried a stoic expression (maybe even yawn), then put it in his pocket. No highlight reels. No credit.

[Lefty Specialist]

Filled the 'we have too many injuries and no decent outfielders in the minors so we have to have a body to put out there' role adequately.

[G-Fafif]

Came out of the gate with a bang versus the Astros after being signed out of the blue, facilitating the use of two cliches in this sentences before it ever got to a comma. His 4-for-9 weekend was in service to two losses, which fit well with the Aoki Epoch in Mets history. He could've hit like crazy for a month and it wouldn't have mattered in the depressing September/October 2017 scheme of things. The Mets lost 16 of the 27 games in which he played for them. I would have guessed it was 25 of 27.

Forged an eight-game hitting streak at the beginning of his Mets career. His on-base percentage as a Met (.371) nearly matched his slugging percentage (.373). Became the 25th Mets position player to compile at least 100 ABs (102, in Aoki's case) and not homer.

[Centerfield]

Was the 12th Japanese Met. Wouldn't have guessed it was that many.

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

Centerfield wrote: Was the 12th Japanese Met. Wouldn't have guessed it was that many.

Neither would I, so I looked it up. even more surprised to find out he was # 13.

I'll spot everyone the easy ones:

1. Nomo
2. Shinjo
3. KazMat
4. Aoki
5. Dice-K
6. Yoshii

it gets tougher from there:

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

[Edgy MD]

Shingo Takatsu

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

7. Shingo Takatsu

Edited January 30, 2018 by Guest

[G-Fafif]

Kashiwada (the first).

[G-Fafif]

Two Takahashis (Ken, then Hisanori).

[Edgy MD]

Ken Takahashi

[G-Fafif]

Rocket Boy Igarashi.

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

8. (but really #1) Takashi Kashiwada

[G-Fafif]

That awful Komiyama.

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

9. Ken



10. Hisanori

[Edgy MD]

Satoru Komiyama (who rolled out of bed and ran to to the PO-lice station).

[G-Fafif]

Kaz "Ishii Really Going Out With Him?"

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

11. Ryota Igarashi

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

12. Satoru Komiyama Pajama

Edited January 30, 2018 by Guest

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

13. Kaz Ishii Really Going Out With Him

GFafif really knows his Japanese Met pitchers.

[G-Fafif]

86-Dreamer wrote: GFafif really knows his Japanese Met pitchers.

A notable subset of bad Met pitchers, of which there has been a world.

[smg58]

Lefty Specialist wrote: Filled the 'we have too many injuries and no decent outfielders in the minors so we have to have a body to put out there' role adequately.

This. He performed the needed service of making Terry Collins less embarrassed to give the ump the lineup card.

[Benjamin Grimm]

He seemed like he enjoyed his time here.

[Edgy MD]

86-Dreamer wrote: GFafif really knows his Japanese Met pitchers.

Hmph.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I enjoyed Hisanori Takahashi's brief Metly tenure... especially once he started closing in the last month or so of the season. There's something about a junkballing, lefty closer.

[Centerfield]

I liked Hisanori too.

I have no memory of Ken.

[Lefty Specialist]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: He seemed like he enjoyed his time here.

"Yeah, I was in the Show. I was in the Show for 21 days once. Twenty-one greatest days of my life. You know, you never handle your luggage in the Show. Somebody else carries your bags. It's great. You hit white balls for batting practice. Ballparks are like cathedrals. The hotels all have room service. The women all have long legs and brains."

[Frayed Knot]

Our pre-memories of Nori Aoki