Learned from "Shukan Baseball" that he is the first 200 win pitcher who did not get his first win until his 5 year in the pros. Ochiai, now the manager and former teammate in Masa's early years, commented that 20 years ago, Masa was supposed to be cut any minute, except when he was sent to the Dodgers A team for an education program, he ran into a coach who taught him a screwball which turned his career (and maybe his life too) around. It is nice to see a guy whom nobody expected to do anything, to reach the pinnacle with a hard work with a little touch of luck.
david | 08.13.08 - 7:39 am | #

Yeah, I found it really curious that all the Masa 200 stuff says things like "Chunichi Dragons since 1984" but I had been thinking that he really didn't get a shot until like 1988 or 89 at best.

Also, Masa 201 now :)
Deanna | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 11:32 am | #