BREAKING NOW: IRABU FOUND DEAD

Hideki Irabu was never a Yankee sensation and struggled in his Major League Baseball career. When he pitched in Japan though, he was a God. It’s being reported that 42 year old Hideki Irabu was found dead in his California home yesterday and the cause seems to be suicide. Read about it HERE.

In 1997, he came to the United States and his contract was purchased by the San Diego Padres. Soon after, he was traded to the Yankees. He was part of the 1998 and 1999 World Champion

Yankees.

He was never liked by George Steinbrenner who labeled him the “Fat Toad”. Irabu was shipped to Montreal in exchange for Jake Westbrook after the 1999 season and later on played with the Texas Rangers. He retired in 2002. Overall, Irabu played 6 years in the majors. He went 34-35 with a 5.15 ERA.

I was never a fan of Hideki Irabu, but that being said, it was clear this guy had a tough time in United States baseball and his talent never translated from Japan to our Major Leagues. Irabu struggled tremendously in baseball and in his private life when he had some run ins with the law.

Now, say what you will about the guy, a life lost is a life lost and you can’t help but feel for his family right now. It’s a life thing.

In life, you are constantly faced with struggle. Your job is live life to the fullest and never give up. It sounds like Irabu couldn’t do it anymore. Today’s a sad day, whether you’re an Irabu fan or not. He not being terribly talented is actually irrelevant in this sad situation. It’s a life lost, and that is where the focus should be. RIP Hideki.

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