Hideki Irabu Found Dead

[TheMatrix31]

Only link is in Japanese.....all over Twitter right now.

[Chef Matt]

Re: Hideki Irabu Found Dead

Wow!

First english report I found. Suicide suspected.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/28/hideki-irabu-found-dead-suicide-suspected/

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[philliesfan980]

Re: Hideki Irabu Found Dead

First (or maybe second - forget if Nomo was first) of the big Japanese migrations to the MLB - started a trend that yielded some really good players over the years.

It's a shame that he never quite lived up to his potential. He just never seemed comfortable in NY, and that might have ruined his confidence.

[bcruise]

Re: Hideki Irabu Found Dead

Wow, that's shocking....RIP.

[Scruffychicken]

Re: Hideki Irabu Found Dead

I remember him for not wanting to play for San Diego, then he signed with NY and beat SD in the World Series the same year.

RIP Fat Toad.

[nomo17k]

Re: Hideki Irabu Found Dead

First (or maybe second - forget if Nomo was first) of the big Japanese migrations to the MLB - started a trend that yielded some really good players over the years.

It's a shame that he never quite lived up to his potential. He just never seemed comfortable in NY, and that might have ruined his confidence.

Nomo came over in '95 and then Hasegawa & Irabu followed in '97.

He was physically a big guy (hence fat toad) but appeared very sensitive emotionally. Didn't handle the pressures of playing in the NYC... and now life as well I suppose.

It's interesting that Irabu didn't play nearly as well as Nomo... He had much better stuff. Tells how much the mental part plays in the game.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Hideki Irabu Found Dead

I had no idea he was so messed up.

[l3ulvl]

Re: Hideki Irabu Found Dead

I had no idea he was so messed up.

Me either. Just saw this on the bottom line and was shocked. You know it's gonna be bad when it just starts out "[former athletes name], [athletes age]". After that it's almost always a death.