The Padres send Hideki Irabu to the Yankees to complete the April 22nd trade that dealt two players to be named later, Gordon Amerson (minors) and Homer Bush to New York, in exchange for Rafael Medina, Ruben Rivera, and $3,000,000. The 28 year-old Japanese right-hander, who was purchased by San Diego from the Chiba Lotte Marines in January but refused to sign with the team, insisting he would only play with the Bronx Bombers, will become a disappointment to George Steinbrenner, often incurring the owner’s wrath during his three years in the Big Apple, where he posts a mediocre 29-20 record.

On May 29, 1997 — The Padres send Hideki Irabu to the Yankees to complete the April 22nd trade that dealt two players to be named later, Gordon Amerson (minors) and Homer Bush to New York, in exchange for Rafael Medina, Ruben Rivera, and $3,000,000. The 28 year-old Japanese right-hander, who was purchased by San Diego from the Chiba Lotte Marines in January but refused to sign with the team, insisting he would only play with the Bronx Bombers, he received a four-year contract worth $12.8 million. The deal includes a signing bonus of $8.5 million.

Irabu will become a disappointment to George Steinbrenner, often incurring the owner’s wrath during his three years in the Big Apple, where he posts a mediocre 29-20 record.