2005 – Catcher Kenji Johjima and the Seattle Mariners agree to a $16.5 million, three-year contract. Johjima, who was both a seven-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japan, became a free agent after hitting .309 with 24 home runs and 57 RBI during a season cut short by two injuries. He is projected to become the first Japanese player to catch full-time in the major leagues. Infielder Lenn Sakata, a Japanese-American born in Honolulu, HI, served as third-string catcher for the 1983 World Champion Baltimore Orioles.
2005 – Catcher Kenji Johjima and the Seattle Mariners agree to a $16.5 million, three-year contract. Johjima, who was both a seven-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japan, became a free agent after hitting .309 with 24 home runs and 57 RBI during a season cut short by two injuries. He is projected to become the first Japanese player to catch full-time in the major leagues. Infielder Lenn Sakata, a Japanese-American born in Honolulu, HI, served as third-string catcher for the 1983 World Champion Baltimore Orioles.
