Wither Darrell Rasner? The former Yankees #4 starter was shuffled aside when Cashman brought in some firepower over the off-season and went where Cheap Trick and other once-great American creations go to eke out a living: Japan.
Unfortunately, he’s n0t doing so great there, either.
Making his first start for the Rakuten Eagles, Rasner coasted through the first three innings against the Nippon Ham Fighters, retiring nine of 10 batters as his team took a 4-0 lead.
But in the fourth, former San Diego outfielder Terrmel Sledge hit a two-run homer. Rasner gave up six straight hits, and was taken out after allowing six runs in 3 1-3 innings.
Rasner was 5-10 last season with a 5.40 ERA in 24 games and 20 starts for the Yankees, who sold his contract to the Eagles in November.
His team rallied to win so, perhaps mercifully, he escaped without the loss.
This past Friday, Eri Yoshida of the Kobe 9 Cruise made history as the first female to play in the Japanese professional league - as a knuckleballer. She entered in relief in the ninth, walked the first batter she faced, then struck out the next.
“I wasn’t thinking about anything other than just going out there and giving it my all,” Yoshida, who emulates Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, was quoted as saying by AP. “I think this was a bad result, but the stadium is great and the fans were really cheering me on. I want to be able to pitch more innings and become a pitcher who can be relied upon.”
Yoshida, who started playing baseball while in the second grade, said she hopes to stick with the Cruise.
I imagine we’re still a ways away from seeing a woman enter the MLB, partially due to the fact the sport clings to tradition no other, partially due to the popularity of softball as a girly alternative to baseball. Take this asinine Nike commercial, for instance:
Sports Radio - Your Comments