« Hiroshima Carp Sign Scott McClain | Main | Odds & Ends: Perez, D'Backs, Baez »

Hideki Irabu Signs With Long Beach Armada

By Tim Dierkes [April 27, 2009 at 8:44am CST]

According to Kyodo News, former Yankees, Expos, and Rangers pitcher Hideki Irabu has unretired to pitch for the Long Beach Armada of the independent Golden Baseball League. He last pitched in 2004, for the Hanshin Tigers. He'll be 40 years old when he makes his debut for the Armada. One of Irabu's rotation-mates will be Jose Lima.

Full Story | Comments (4) | Categories:

Comments

Lima Time and the Fat Toad... I'd definitely pay to see that team!!!

Posted by: GoTribe | April 27, 2009 at 09:20 AM

Speaking of Lima, does anyone know why he fell off the cliff so quickly? Injuries? Did he stop taking steroids suddenly after '99? In '98-99 he went 37-18 with approx. 3.63 era. His WHIP and era+ were descent, k/bb good.... And then in 2000 he was just horrible. Did he throw too many innings in '98-99?

I'd love to see him and Irabu on the same team. I'd put their lockers right next to each other in the clubhouse too, that would make for a fun atmosphere.

Posted by: pageian | April 27, 2009 at 03:29 PM

"Speaking of Lima, does anyone know why he fell off the cliff so quickly?"

In 2000, Lima's command of both his fastball and his offspeed pitches totally fell apart, and he received some brutal luck on home runs.

It's unclear exactly why that happened, but the 479 regular season innings he pitched in 1998-1999 presumably didn't help.

Lima's K/BB ratio was 4.25 in 1999, but it plummeted to 1.82 in 2000. And his home run rate went from 1.10 per 9 up to 2.20 per 9, which is simply horrible.

Lima received some good luck in his heyday, but he just totally fell apart in 2000.

Giving up 48 home runs in 196 innings is really, really bad.

Posted by: scribbletone | April 27, 2009 at 04:40 PM

I can't wait to harass these guys when they play the Outlaws. Boy, that was fun when Canseco came to town!

Posted by: Orion | April 28, 2009 at 04:01 AM

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Posted by: |

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type:

Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Hideki Irabu Signs With Long Beach Armada

Comments

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Post a comment

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

MLBTR Mailing List

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats


Home Contact About Advertise Archives Widget Twitter RSS Usage