Kenji Johjima, the first Japanese catcher in major league history, surprises the Mariners by opting out of the final two seasons of his three-year deal. Unhappy of being benched, the 33 year-old struggling backstop walks away from $15.8 million to finish his career in Japan.

This Day In Baseball

On October 19, 2009 — Kenji Johjima, the first Japanese catcher in major league history, surprises the Mariners by opting out of the final two seasons of his three-year deal. Unhappy of being benched, the 33 year-old struggling backstop walks away from $15.8 million to finish his career in Japan.

 

[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Subscribe to This Day In Baseball” subscribe_text=”Get our latest Posts in your in box” subscribe_button=”GO” show_subscribers_total=”0″]

This Day In Baseball on Patreon

Sources:
Baseball Reference October 19
National Pastime October 19
Retro Sheet
Hall of Fame
SABR Games Project
Replay The Game