On this date in 2007, Hideki Okajima became the first Japanese-born player to pitch in the World Series, as Leo Panetta of NationalPastime.com writes. The former Nippon Ham Fighters hurler came out of the bullpen and retired seven straight Rockies, including Kazuo Matsui, making it the first time Japanese natives have faced one another in the World Series.
Here’s this week’s look around the baseball blogosphere:
- Swingin A’s ran down Oakland’s arbitration eligible players using MLBTR’s projections.
- Section 215 praised Odubel Herrera.
- World Series Dreaming looked ahead to the Cubs’ offseason.
- Outside Pitch says the future is bright for the Cubs.
- Florida Sports View attempted to figure out Daniel Murphy’s worth.
- Shutdown Inning has a checklist for Texas.
- Pinstriped Prospects ran down the tradable Yankees upper-minors prospects.
- TPOP ran down some possible landing spots for Mark Melancon.
- Reviewing The Brew says the Brewers should take a flier on Domonic Brown.
- Yankees Unscripted talked Brian McCann.
- Baseball Essential says there’s one player the Cubs should consider trading Kyle Schwarber for.
- Fueled By Sports wonders if the Blue Jays can stay hot.
- Notes From The Sally has a scouting report on Jorge Mateo.
- Angels Win continued its 2016 Halos primer.
Please send submissions to Zach at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.
Masanori Murakami could have beaten Okajima to the WS by 42 years had the Giants not lost 7 of their last 13 in 1965.