|
|
Article: Learning curve for Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima: with a year under his belt as a major leaguer, reliever from Japan is now accustomed to the style of big league baseball in America.
- Article from:
- Baseball Digest
- Article date:
- June 1, 2008
- Author:
-
|
Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2008 Century Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
FOR MANY OF HIS RED SOX TEAM-mates, the trip to Tokyo last March was an onerous obligation that included a dreaded 17-hour plane flight, but for Hideki Okajima, Boston's left-handed setup man, it represented a crowning achievement. It was, he explained, an immense honor to represent the world champion Boston Red Sox in his native land.
And yet, he said, he returned to Japan a different pitcher than the one who starred with the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants and the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. Okajima said he has been transformed by his year in major league baseball, and is in the process of completely adopting the traditions and training methods of the Sons of Tito.
"Right ...
Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:
|