His season also ended with knee surgery in 2002. Snelling was called up to the Mariners from San Antonio in May and played eight games before tearing an ligament in his left knee while rounding third base at Oakland.
In August 2001, he broke his right ankle after being selected to the California League's midseason All-Star team.
Shingo Takatsu
Sitting at his locker in the middle of the Chicago White Sox's spring-training clubhouse, Shingo Takatsu thumbs through a major league baseball players' guide to study his new teammates.
There are descriptions and captions in Japanese, and Takatsu points his finger at head shots as he tries to match the names of his teammates with faces.
He goes to the corner and, with the help of translator Hiroshi Abei, meets slugger Frank Thomas, bowing graciously as he departs. Then he greets shortstop Jose Valentin with a handshake.
"You're going to have fun here," Valentin tells him.
After becoming Japan's career saves leaders with 260 during 13 seasons with the Yakult Swallows, Takatsu is jumping into another culture.
Like the Japanese stars who have preceded him to the majors, including fellow pitchers and friends Kazuhisa Ishii and Shigetoshi Hasegawa, there is more to do than just play ball.
It's a lifestyle change and a getting-to-know-you process for the 35-year-old pitcher, who signed a US$1 million, one-year deal.
"It's really a new thing to have a new team. It's really fresh and it's really fun talking to them every day in the clubhouse," he says through his translator.
Takatsu knows some English. At his introductory news conference this winter, when he got to wade through some snow for a photo op, he said, "Chicago is my field of dreams."
But early on, until he gets acclimated, Abei will be at his side, even during on-field conferences and drills.
Abei is well-suited for the job. He used to work for the Swallows and translate for American players who went to Japan.
Takatsu, known as "Mr. Zero" because he did not give up a run in 10 Japanese Series games, got to throw batting practice to hitters for the first time this week, when the full squad reported. He quickly showed off his assortment of sidearm deliveries featuring different speeds and arm angles.
"Shingo let the hitters know what was coming, and they couldn't even touch it," manager Ozzie Guillen said.
Outfielder Aaron Rowand, wasn't fooled completely. He connected for a home run over the fence in left. Still, Rowand, was impressed.
"He's got some nasty stuff," he said.
Takatsu probably will be a setup man for Billy Koch, who struggled as the closer last season and eventually lost the job to Tom Gordon -- who left and signed with the New York Yankees.
RSS