No Tazawa

by secondbass on Nov 30, 2008 12:36 PM EST Comment 10 comments

Just in case anyone didn't know. Or if anyone cares....

Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves

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No surprise

- Oh, Bobby. -

by sdp on Nov 30, 2008 12:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not Shocked

If I was Tazawa, I would of done the same thing. Boston gave him the most money and it helps that Boston already has some Japanese players on there roster. (Dice K and Okujima)..Thats ok, Burnett and Peavy are still out there.

by AlRoBraves95 on Nov 30, 2008 1:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You really need to educate yourself

First, the official offer has not been posted – so how can you say Boston offered more money? Second, if the rumors are true the Braves AND Rangers offered more money than Boston.

by scstrato on Nov 30, 2008 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This was about as obvious

As the skies being blue, and that humans need air to live.

It didn’t matter how much more Texas or Atlanta offered (barring 2x what Boston did), there was little doubt to me that a Japanese kid would want to jump overseas and end up in Dallas/Ft. Worth/Arlington or Atlanta. Where there are hardly Asian populations, and would create bigger culture shock than a city like Boston, that has an established Japanese-friendly fanbase. To a degree, I’m amazed that Tampa Bay lured Akinori Iwamura to that area, but glad to see him do well there.

Boston is like rockstar to Japanese culture. Red Sox hats (as well as Mariners/Yankees) are huge in Japan, and they’re arguably more frequent than NBP apparel. It also doesn’t hurt to see the royal treatment that Matsuzaka receives, and nobody could blame a 20-year old from also wanting that as well.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Dec 1, 2008 9:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully for Tazawa’s sake the fanbases in Salem, Virginia, Portland, Maine, and Pawtucket, Rhode Island are as Japanese friendly, cause he doesn’t seem likely to see Boston anytime in 09.

by cbwilk on Dec 1, 2008 9:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I realize that as well, but if/when he does break it into the big club, he’ll be right there with Matsuzaka, continuing the bandwagon.

Seeing as how Tazawa seems destined to start at either high-A or AA, his American acclimation won’t be pretty no matter whom he signs with:
Myrtle Beach, Mississippi, Gwinnett County (notable Japanese population)
Bakersfield, Frisco, Oklahoma City

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Dec 1, 2008 9:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

you know, he DID get a major league contract, so theres a chance he could pop up in september.

Following the Braves...one long hard drink at a time.

by bigjoe on Dec 1, 2008 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m pretty curious to see if he can even make it at AA right away. Japanese professionals have a hard time adjusting over here, some of them proving themselves as more of AAA players than major league players, so I really want to see how his amateur experience translates.
The Red Sox AA coach is former Brave Mike Cather, so I’m looking forward to talking with him in Spring Training and seeing what he thinks of Tazawa. I got a pretty good report on Dice-K when he first came over, “This guy is for real; he throws some shit.”

by cbwilk on Dec 1, 2008 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty disappointed

I really wanted this guy, but after I heard all the negative things about him, its a lot easier to swallow.

by someguy917 on Dec 1, 2008 4:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No big deal...

I watched his video and was not impressed. Awkward delivery (not as bad as Chuckie, but bad) and his velocity is still low-A. He’s quite a ways off from being a major league pitcher IMHO.

by BBFAN46 on Dec 2, 2008 7:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs