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Vinceanity2k3 said:
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dieselboy said:
Matsui and Willis.
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Agreed.
Also, to the person who mentioned that Japanese players don't classify as rookies, I definetely have to disagree. The pitching and hitting in Japan is different that it is in the MLB. Most pitchers throw sidearmed and most of the strikes thrown are fastballs. No breaking balls or offspeed pitches. Just look how Matsui was affected by the MLB pitching last year during International play.
The American players who enter the league actually have an advantage over the Japanese athlethes because they're used to the pitching and hitting.
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Definition of Rookie: definition
So Ichiro plays PROFESSIONAL baseball in Japan for 9 or so years and comes to America to play PROFESSIONAL baseball. That equals 10 years. He should not be a rookie candidate. Look at all the true *rookie* records he broke against American pitcher his *rookie* year. The pitching excuse is ridiculous. The only difference is they don't throw high 2 seam fastballs and throw more sliders than curveballs.
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Do you know that when guys play in the minors...they are playng professional ball?
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Yes, I know minor is pro ball. However Japan has minor leagues and majors in a way like ours. Ichiro and Matsui both played at Japan's highest level for quite awhile. I just don't like that they can come over to our highest level of baseball and still be considered rookies.
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