Memories of Ken

[Guest Edgy DC]

Takahashi out to prove short MLB stint was no mistake TOKYO Tue Dec 22, 2009 5:20am ESTTOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese pitcher Ken Takahashi wants to prove his sojourn in Major League Baseball with the New York Mets was not a mistake. The 40-year-old became the oldest Japanese MLB debutant in May before being released by the New York Mets in October. He has rejoined Japan's Hiroshima Carp for a salary of around $275,000 plus performance-linked bonus incentives. "I want to help the Carp win," Takahashi told reporters at his formal unveiling at Hiroshima's Mazda Stadium on Tuesday. "I want to be able to say that I wasn't wrong to go to the majors." Takahashi made 28 relief appearances for the Mets while posting a 2.96 ERA. He had spent his entire professional career with the Carp from 1995 before dipping his toes in the majors. "I feel like a rookie for the second year running," said Takahashi. "If I'm in the starting rotation I will be looking to get double-digit wins and help the Carp win a championship." (Reporting by Alastair Himmer. Editing by Peter Rutherford)

If I ever need to hide out from the authorities, I'm going incognito under the alias "Alastair Himmer."

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Gave up a 12th-inning home run to Martin Prado in that crazy Gay Dame when I was racing to get my car inspected.

Otherwise had a decent year.

[metirish]

Didn't get used a whole lot that I remember........not much in big situations, of course there probably weren't many of those anyway.....nice ERA...

[Guest Edgy DC]

Tak had a great debut for the Mets, going up against the standard bearing Phils on May 2, while hope still sprung despite the injury pinch just starting. He bailed out an ailing/failing Oliver Perez, and pitched 2.3 scoreless and brought the Mets back into a game they would eventually lose in extra innings.

http://www.leaptoad.com/mets/gamedetail.php?gameno=7579

We were eventually undone by (1) asking Reyes to bunt, and (2) saving the closer for the save on the road (boo!). Have fun in the archives:

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/11500/f14_t11503.shtml

[seawolf17]

One of my favorite TTM autograph successes this year, because I didn't expect to get it back because of the language barrier.

[Guest themetfairy]

We saw him pitch in Buffalo in August. He wasn't fooling anyone....

[Guest themetfairy]

[ashie62]

Tak sucked. I will not remember him..

[Guest attgig]

he was the best 40+ year old rookie that ever pitched for the Mets. Good Job Ken.

but yeah, he was rarely used in close games, and so, not so many memories...

[smg58]

Tak sucked. I will not remember him..[/quote:7pa9mt44]

Over the past few seasons, the Mets could have used a few more relievers who "sucked" while getting sub-3 ERAs.

He wasn't a lefty specialist at all, but he pitched well enough on the whole that I never saw why he had to be.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Sort of like wanting the save more than the win.

Damn it, we need a specialist, not somebody who's generally good!

[ashie62]

Tak sucked. I will not remember him..[/quote:3196c1ku]

Over the past few seasons, the Mets could have used a few more relievers who "sucked" while getting sub-3 ERAs.

He wasn't a lefty specialist at all, but he pitched well enough on the whole that I never saw why he had to be.[/quote:3196c1ku]


had to be what?

[Guest Edgy DC]

I think he means "had to be" a lefty specialist.