AMERICAN LEAGUE
Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish expects to make a smooth transition to the Major Leagues next season and the Texas Rangers’ expensive acquisition was quick to display a subtle sense of humor at his introductory press conference on Friday.
Last month, the Rangers posted a bid in excess of US$51 million for exclusive negotiating rights with Darvish and signed him to a reported US$60 million, six-year contract on Wednesday as the 30-day window to reach a deal was set to expire.
Photo: EPA
“I looked at the right-field fence and I thought that was in too close,” Darvish told reporters of his initial impression of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, where the conference was held. “I was asking my general manager if they could move it back. I don’t know where they are on that yet.”
The 25-year-old Darvish has spent his entire seven-season professional career with the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball Pacific League.
“I don’t really feel pressure,” Darvish added. “I have no worries. I just look forward to seeing great pitchers and facing great hitters over here.”
“I don’t think I throw as hard as what you all guys say, but I’m confident with a wide variety of my offspeed pitches,” he said.
The strikeout specialist is a two-time Pacific League MVP, boasts a 155kph fastball and completed a 93-38 career record with a 1.99 earned run average in Japan.
“The name of the game is pitching and we picked up a quality pitcher,” Texas manager Ron Washington said.
“It’s special, we brought a special pitcher into the Texas Rangers fold. We haven’t forgotten what it takes to succeed. I’m looking forward to getting to spring training. I have been enjoying myself this winter, but I’m looking forward to getting there,” Washington added.
The hard-throwing right-hander helped the Fighters win the 2006 Japan Series and has been the ace of the national team, helping his country to victory at the 2009 World Baseball Classic and a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
American League champions the Rangers have loaded up on Japanese pitching talent with Darvish joining relievers Yoshinori Tateyama and Koji Uehara on the Rangers 40-man roster.
The US’ bid for a fourth consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title came to a stunning end as they fell 1-0 to Panama after a stoppage-time goal from Cecilio Waterman on Thursday in Inglewood, California. Despite dominating possession, the US struggled to break down a resilient Panama side for long periods. Panama spent the bulk of the match defending, but pounced on a giveaway by the US before substitute forward Waterman sent a shot from the right side of the area to the bottom left corner late in stoppage time. Up next for Panama in tomorrow’s final is to be Mexico, who beat
DOMINATION: McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris took the first two spots as Mercedes’ George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen followed them Australian Oscar Piastri yesterday roared back from season-opening disappointment in his home race by winning the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix from pole position in a McLaren one-two with championship-leading teammate Lando Norris. George Russell finished third for Mercedes, ahead of Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Saturday’s sprint winner Lewis Hamilton fifth and sixth respectively. Piastri’s win denied Norris a third victory in a row, including last year’s Abu Dhabi season-ender, but left champions McLaren unbeaten in two races so far this year. “Mega job guys. The car was very, very lovely,” Piastri said
TO FINAL FOUR: France had 22 chances and scored two goals, while Croatia could not manage a single shot on target in 120 minutes. Les Bleus won 5-4 on penalties France on Sunday overturned a two-goal deficit to qualify for the UEFA Nations League Final Four by eliminating Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a 2-0 victory in their quarter-final second leg at the Stade de France. Dayot Upamecano scored the winning spot kick in a nail-biting shootout in which France keeper Mike Maignan made two saves, sending Les Bleus into the semi-finals against Spain. Michael Olise opened the scoring and Ousmane Dembele doubled their lead 10 minutes from time to send the tie into extra time after their 2-0 loss in Split, Croatia, on Thursday. France had a total of
BRING THE NOISE: Brazil’s Fonseca attracted a boisterous crowd that brought such dominant soccer-style energy the referee switched to Portuguese to ask for quiet Australia’s Alex de Minaur on Monday put an end to Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca’s challenge at the Miami Open, outlasting the 18-year-old 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in an enthralling contest. Attendance on stadium court had been sparse throughout the day, but the Hard Rock Stadium turned into a mini-Maracana Stadium for Fonseca’s match, complete with Brazilian flags and soccer-style chanting. Fonseca brought his energetic brand of ultra-attacking tennis, but De Minaur was up to the challenge, coping with blistering forehands and a partisan crowd. Such was the dominance of Fonseca’s raucous support that the referee switched to Portuguese for his appeals for quiet. However, De
RSS