Masumi Kuwata

Masumi Kuwata
Kuwata with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Yomiuri Giants – No. 73
Pitcher / Coach
Born: (1968-04-01) April 1, 1968 (age 56)
Osaka, Japan
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
NPB: May 25, 1986, for the Yomiuri Giants
MLB: June 10, 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last appearance
NPB: April 27, 2006, for the Yomiuri Giants
MLB: August 13, 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
NPB statistics
Win–loss record173–141
Earned run average3.42
Strikeouts1,980
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average9.43
Strikeouts12
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
As player

As coach

  • Yomiuri Giants (2021–present)
Career highlights and awards
Kuwata pitching for the Yomiuri Giants in 2006.

Masumi Kuwata (桑田 真澄 Kuwata Masumi, born 1 April 1968 in Yao, Osaka, Japan) is a former Japanese right-handed pitcher who played the bulk of his career with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. He pitched 21 seasons with the Giants, beginning in 1986. Near the end of his career, he played part of one season with the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He is the son of professional golfer Izumi Kuwata.[1]

Personal life

In high school, Kuwata entered the prestigious PL (Perfect Liberty) High School in Osaka. He and his teammate Kazuhiro Kiyohara immediately became stars in high school baseball. Kuwata led his team to five Koshien tournaments, winning the tournament twice. He won 20 games at Koshien, which is second only to Masao Yoshida's 23 wins.

The Yomiuri Giants drafted Kuwata in the 1st round in 1985. The draft generated some controversy, since Kuwata had repeatedly expressed a desire to enter Waseda University, prompting other teams to refrain from picking him in the draft. Kuwata reversed his previous statements and immediately signed with the Yomiuri Giants, adding fuel to rumors that he had conspired with the Giants to avoid being picked by other teams.

He has a wife named Maki, and two sons; the older of which, Masaki, also played professional baseball,[2] and the younger of which is tarento Matt Kuwata.

Professional career

Japan

Kuwata quickly established his presence in the professional leagues, winning 15 games in his second year (1987) with a 2.17 ERA, the lowest in the league.

Major League pitcher Bill Gullickson played for the Giants in 1988–1989, and befriended Kuwata. Gullickson named his son Craig Kuwata Gullickson after Kuwata, and gave much advice to the Japanese pitcher. Kuwata has said his dream of playing in the Major Leagues came from Gullickson. However, many obstacles kept him from realizing this dream — including his great success in Nippon Professional Baseball. He won the Eiji Sawamura Award (the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award) the same year, and won over ten games for six consecutive seasons starting in 1992.

Kuwata suffered a severe injury to his right elbow while attempting to catch a pop fly in June, 1995, ending his season. Kuwata had surgery in the U.S., and spent the rest of 1995 and all of 1996 in rehab. He made a comeback in 1997, winning 10 games, and 16 games in 1998, but his pitching had deteriorated considerably compared to the years before his injury, particularly with a loss of velocity off his fastball.

Kuwata considered retirement during the 2001 off-season, but Giants general manager Tatsunori Hara convinced him to remain on the team. On April 19, 2002, Kuwata pitched brilliantly in defeating Hanshin Tigers ace Kei Igawa by a score of 1–0, and showed he could still be an important part of the Giants' rotation.[3] Kuwata went on to have a banner year in 2002, posting a 2.22 ERA (lowest in the league), and winning over 10 games for the first time in four years. However, he pitched poorly from 2003–2006, appearing in a total of only 45 games (44 starts), while compiling an overall 9–16 record during those four years.

Kuwata pitched 118 complete games during his career in Japan.[4]

Major League Baseball

At the end of the 2006 season, Kuwata surprised fans by announcing his intention to play in the Major Leagues.[5] In December 2006 Kuwata signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a 38-year-old rookie, ending his 21-year stay with the Yomiuri Giants. Despite interest from the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kuwata chose Pittsburgh because he thought the Pirates offered him the best opportunity to pitch in the majors.

Kuwata participated in spring training with the Pirates, but injured his right ankle, ending his hopes of making their Opening Day roster. The Pirates placed him on their Triple-A Indianapolis Indians roster as a disabled player, giving him a chance to work his way up to the majors.

On June 9, 2007, Kuwata was promoted to the Pittsburgh Pirates after reliever Salomón Torres was placed on the disabled list. He became the first Japanese player in Pirates team history. He made his Major League debut June 10, 2007[6] in a game against the New York Yankees. At that time he was 39 years old, which was the oldest debut with the exception of Satchel Paige and Diomedes Olivo in the post-World War II era. He gave up two runs in 2 innings on a home run to third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

On August 14, the Pirates designated Kuwata for assignment.[7] The Pirates outrighted him to Triple-A on August 17 but Kuwata refused the assignment. Afterwards, he returned home to Japan.

In December 2007, Kuwata signed a minor league contract with the Pirates for the 2008 season. The contract included an invitation to spring training with the team.

Kuwata announced his retirement from baseball on March 26, 2008 after not making the team out of spring training.[8] Upon announcing his retirement, the Pittsburgh Pirates offered Kuwata a coaching position with the club, but he declined.

Retirement

After returning to Japan, he became a commentator for the Sports Hochi daily newspaper, Nippon Television's NPB live programs, and Tokyo Broadcasting System Television's MLB programs.

On January 28, 2009, at age 40, he was accepted into the Graduate School of Sport Sciences of Waseda University, and he went on to graduate first in his class. His thesis describes the "Yakyu-Do", the soul and spirit of Japanese baseball, which has been an integral part of the game from its earliest days in Japan during the Meiji Era to the present.[9] Kuwata is also an outspoken critic of the hazing and physical punishment that is prevalent in Japanese sports.

Kuwata was hired to coach the University of Tokyo baseball team in 2013.[10]

In November 2019, he and his son Matt Kuwata starred in a commercial for Y! Mobile together.[11]

References

  1. ^ "桑田真澄は次男Mattだけでなく弟・桑田泉のキャラも濃かった! | 斜め上からこんにちは(芸能人、有名人の過去、今、未来を応援するブログ!)". 17 June 2017.
  2. ^ "桑田Jrが独立L新潟からドラフト2位指名 - プロ野球ニュース".
  3. ^ "Fukui blasts one for Giants". The Japan Times. 2002-04-20. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  4. ^ Masumi Kuwata [桑田 真澄] – Japanese Baseball
  5. ^ "Pirates sign Japanese RHP Kuwata to minor-league contract MLB Yahoo! Sports". Yahoo! Sports. 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  6. ^ Fitzpatrick, Mike (2007-06-10). "MLB – Pittsburgh Pirates New York Yankees Recap June 10, 2007". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  7. ^ "Bucs designate longtime Japanese star Kuwata for assignment". ESPN. 2007-08-14. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
  8. ^ Pirates pitcher Kuwata will announce his retirement – PittsburghLIVE.com [permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Suzuki Shigeru (2010-08-04). "ADVICE TO TEENAGE BASEBALL PLAYERS/Masumi Kuwata: The secret to playing better ball, still having fun". Asahi.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  10. ^ "Tokyo university loses record 86th straight game". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  11. ^ "桑田真澄&Matt:親子がCM初共演 「Matt、お前の道を行け」 横浜流星は学ラン姿の生徒会長に". 28 November 2019.

Read other articles:

Zona waktu IndonesiaPeta zona waktu Indonesia Waktu terkini Waktu Indonesia Barat (UTC+07:00)16:46, November 14, 2023 WIB [refresh]Waktu Indonesia Tengah (UTC+08:00)17:46, November 14, 2023 WITA [refresh]Waktu Indonesia Timur (UTC+09:00)18:46, November 14, 2023 WIT [refresh] Waktu Indonesia Tengah (disingkat WITA) adalah salah satu dari tiga zona waktu yang dipakai di Indonesia. Kedua zona waktu lainnya adalah Waktu Indonesia Barat (WIB) dan Waktu Indonesia Timur (WIT). Kawasan yang menggunak...

 

  لمعانٍ أخرى، طالع أغ‌ بلاغ (توضيح). أغ‌ بلاغ تقسيم إداري البلد إيران  إحداثيات 38°36′51″N 45°12′42″E / 38.61416667°N 45.21166667°E / 38.61416667; 45.21166667  السكان التعداد السكاني 638 نسمة (إحصاء 2016) تعديل مصدري - تعديل   أغ‌ بلاغ هي قرية في مقاطعة خوي، إيران.[1] يقدر عدد س...

 

Untuk kegunaan lain, lihat PBS (disambiguasi). Artikel ini bukan mengenai PBS. Public Broadcasting Services LimitedMarkas besar PBS di GwardamanġaSebelumnyaXandir MaltaIndustriPenyiaran publikPendahuluRediffusion MaltaDidirikan1975; 48 tahun lalu (1975)Kantorpusat75 St Lukes Road, Gwardamanġa, MaltaWilayah operasiMaltaDivisiTVM, TVM2, Radju Malta, Radju Malta 2, Magic MaltaSitus webwww.pbs.com.mt Public Broadcasting Services Limited (PBS) adalah penyiaran publik Malta. PBS didanai oleh...

Tragedia de Mayerling Kronprinz Rudolf †: Erste Aufbahrung der Leiche im kronprinzlichen Appartement.Bezeichnet von unserem Special-Artisten Th. Breitwieser.(Príncipe Rodolfo †: Primer dibujo del heredero en su lecho de muerte.Realizado por nuestro artista especial Theodor Breitwieser).[1]​Lugar Pabellón de caza de Mayerling Imperio austrohúngaroCoordenadas 48°02′49″N 16°05′54″E / 48.04694444, 16.09833333Fecha 30 de enero de 18897:30-8:30 a....

 

Duta Besar Amerika Serikat untuk GeorgiaSegel Kementerian Dalam Negeri Amerika SerikatDicalonkan olehPresiden Amerika SerikatDitunjuk olehPresidendengan nasehat Senat Berikut ini adalah daftar Duta Besar Amerika Serikat untuk Georgia Daftar Perwakilan Diangkat oleh Kent N. Brown[1] Bill Clinton William H. Courtney[2] Bill Clinton Kenneth Spencer Yalowitz[3] Bill Clinton Richard Monroe Miles[4] George W. Bush John F. Tefft[5] George W. Bush John R. Bass ...

 

Germanic pagan item Saxo Grammaticus: Danmarks Krønike (Gesta Danorum) - tr. Frederik Winkel Horn (Danish) - illust. Louis Moe (1898) A nithing pole (Old Norse: níðstang), sometimes normalized as nithstang or nidstang, was a pole used for cursing an enemy in Germanic pagan tradition. Historical use A nithing pole consisted of a long, wooden pole with a recently cut horse head at the end, and at times with the skin of the horse laid over the pole.[1] The nithing pole was directed to...

American photographer This biographical article is written like a résumé. Please help improve it by revising it to be neutral and encyclopedic. (June 2020) A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. Please discuss further on the talk page. (December 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) David Hume KennerlyDavid Hume Kenner...

 

Canadian hydroelectric utility Hydro-QuébecTypeCrown corporationIndustryElectric utilitiesFoundedApril 14, 1944 (1944-04-14)HeadquartersHydro-Québec Building, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaArea servedQuebecKey peopleMichael Sabia (President & CEO), Jacynthe Côté (Chair of the Board),[1][2]ProductsElectric power generation, electric power transmission, electricity distributionRevenue14.310 billion[3] CADOperating income5.904 billion[3] CADNet in...

 

Canadian ice hockey player and businessman Photo of MacDougall in the team picture of the Montreal Victorias in 1895 Robert Ernest MacDougall (March 2, 1876[1] – March 26, 1950) was a notable Canadian ice hockey player and businessman. He played in the early days of organized ice hockey, before professionalism. He played the position of forward for the Montreal Victorias and was a member of five Stanley Cup-winning teams.[2] Personal life MacDougall was born in Montreal, Que...

Not to be confused with New Zealand national rugby union team or New Zealand Māori rugby league team. Rugby teamMāori All BlacksUnionNZRUEmblem(s)Silver fernCoach(es)Clayton McMillanCaptain(s)Brad Weber Team kit First match Hawke's Bay 0–5 New Zealand Natives (23 June 1888)Largest win British Columbia 3–111 New Zealand Māori (9 June 2004)Largest defeat New Zealand Maoris 0–37 South Africa  (25 August 1956)Official websitewww.allblacks.com/teams/maori-all-blacks/ The Māori All B...

 

この記事は検証可能な参考文献や出典が全く示されていないか、不十分です。出典を追加して記事の信頼性向上にご協力ください。(このテンプレートの使い方)出典検索?: 長野県道507号・新潟県道239号秋山郷森宮野原停車場線 – ニュース · 書籍 · スカラー · CiNii · J-STAGE · NDL · dlib.jp · ジャパンサーチ · TWL(2017年5月) 長...

 

2010 puzzle video game This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: Bejeweled Blitz – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) T...

Sub-national general elections 2023 Malaysian state election ← 2022 12 August 2023 6 out of 13 state legislatures (DUN) 245 out of 600 seats Legend:     States up for Election     No election/Federal Territories This article is part of a series on thePolitics ofMalaysia Head of State Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah of Pahang Conference of Rulers Legislature Parliament of Malaysia 15th Parliament Senate (Dewan Negara) President Wan Ju...

 

Idiomatic expression; variant of rest in peace For other uses, see Rest in Power. A protester holding a sign reading rest in power outside of the Hennepin County Government Center during the 2021 trial of Derek Chauvin Rest in power (a variation on rest in peace) is an expression used to mourn, remember or celebrate a deceased person, especially someone who is thought to have struggled against systemic prejudice such as homophobia, transphobia, racism or suffered because of it, particularly i...

 

Excavation method using explosives This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Drilling and blasting – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Rock blasting in Finland Drilling and blasting is the controlled use of explosives and ot...

Kupilih CintaGenre Drama Roman BerdasarkanSeandainya Aku Boleh Memiliholeh Mira W.Skenario Lintang Pramudya Wardhani Ronantikarunia Angga Haryono Geg Ary Suharsani Cerita Lintang Pramudya Wardhani Ronantikarunia Angga Haryono Geg Ary Suharsani SutradaraArie AzisPemeran Aurélie Moeremans Rangga Azof Randy Pangalila Jonas Rivanno Wattimena Moudy Wilhelmina Donny Damara Roy Marten Ibrahim Risyad Puspa Ritchwary Raquel Katie Larkin Siprianto Jody Paulpae Penggubah lagu tema Andi Rianto Dorie Kal...

 

Historic house in Massachusetts, United States United States historic placeMichael Foley CottageU.S. National Register of Historic Places Show map of MassachusettsShow map of the United StatesLocation14 Emerson St., Stoneham, MassachusettsCoordinates42°28′48″N 71°05′57″W / 42.47998°N 71.09906°W / 42.47998; -71.09906Built1855MPSStoneham MRANRHP reference No.84002614 [1]Added to NRHPApril 13, 1984 The Michael Foley Cottage is a historic hous...

 

Heroic Children: Untold Stories of the Unconquerable CoverAuthorHanoch TellerCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishSubjectChild Holocaust survivorsGenreNon-fictionPublisherNew York City Publishing Co.Publication date2015Pages325Awards2016 IPBA Benjamin Franklin Book Award for cover designISBN9781881939238 Heroic Children: Untold Stories of the Unconquerable is a 2015 non-fiction book by Hanoch Teller. The book recounts the true stories of nine individuals from Jewish communities across Europe wh...

Shopping mall in Indiana, United StatesWashington Square MallWashington Square Mall, April 2016Location5011 Washington Ave #1 Evansville, Indiana, United StatesCoordinates37°57′37″N 87°29′27″W / 37.960219°N 87.490764°W / 37.960219; -87.490764Opening dateOctober 31, 1963DeveloperErie InvestmentsManagementHahn Kiefer Real EstateOwnerEvansville Holdings, LLCNo. of stores and servicesaround 55No. of anchor tenants2 (both vacant)Total retail floor area800,000...

 

The Louis Delluc Prize (French: Prix Louis-Delluc [pʁi lwi dɛlyk]) is a French film award presented annually since 1937. The award is bestowed to the Best Film and Best First Film of the year on the second week of each December. The jury is composed of 20 members, consisting of a group of film critics and figures who are culturally significant. Gilles Jacob is the president. The meeting is at le Fouquet's restaurant in Champs-Élysées. The award was created in 1937 in view of the d...

 

Strategi Solo vs Squad di Free Fire: Cara Menang Mudah!