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The Mariners sign Japanese P Hisashi Iwakuma to a one-year contract as a free agent

The Mariners sign Japanese P Hisashi Iwakuma to a one-year contract as a free agent. Iwakuma had gone through the posting system a year ago, but the 2008 Pacific League MVP failed to agree on a contract with the winning bidders, the Oakland A’s. For their part, the Yankees announce they have been unable to reach an agreement with SS Hiroyuki Nakajima, whose rights they secured through the posting system last month; Nakajima will return to play for the Seibu Lions this season.

Boston Red Sox come to terms with Japanese pitching star Daisuke Matsuzaka on a six-year, $52 million contract
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Boston Red Sox come to terms with Japanese pitching star Daisuke Matsuzaka on a six-year, $52 million contract

On December 13, 2006, the Boston Red Sox come to terms with Japanese pitching star Daisuke Matsuzaka on a six-year, $52 million contract. The Red Sox had also paid $51 million to the Seibu Lions to secure the exclusive negotiating rights with the hurler.

Japan scores four runs in the first inning and hangs on to defeat Cuba in the championship game of the first World Baseball Classic

Japan scores four runs in the first inning and hangs on to defeat Cuba in the championship game of the first World Baseball Classic

    On March 20, 2006, Japan scores four runs in the first inning and hangs on to defeat Cuba in the championship game of the first World Baseball Classic. The tournament, featuring teams from 16 nations, draws large crowds and proves a major success for international baseball. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Other Resources & Links   [et_pb_signup…

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Hideki Matsui signs a one-year, $4.7 million contract to play for the Yomiuri Giants, becoming the highest-paid player in Nippon Pro Baseball history

2001 – Hideki Matsui signs a one-year, $4.7 million contract to play for the Yomiuri Giants, becoming the highest-paid player in Nippon Pro Baseball history. The outfielder’s salary surpasses the $4 million mark the Orix Blue Wave gave Ichiro Suzuki for the 2000 season.

Chicago Cubs open the major league season at the Tokyo Dome by defeating the New York Mets, 5 – 3

2000 – In Japan, the Chicago Cubs open the major league season at the Tokyo Dome by defeating the New York Mets, 5 – 3, in the first major league opening day ever played outside of the United States, Canada or Mexico. Jon Lieber gets the victory and Mike Hampton takes the loss. Shane Andrews, Mark Grace and Mike Piazza hit home runs in the game.

Sadaharu Oh of the Japan Central League surpasses Hank Aaron as the game’s all-time home run king
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Sadaharu Oh of the Japan Central League surpasses Hank Aaron as the game’s all-time home run king

  On September 3, 1977, Sadaharu Oh of the Japan Central League surpasses Hank Aaron as the game’s all-time home run king. Oh hits his 756th career home run, helping the Yomiuri Giants to an 8-1 victory over the Yakult Swallows. The Japanese superstar, a 1994 inductee into his country’s Hall of Fame, will hit…