Yu Darvish
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Yu Darvish (Japanese: ダルビッシュ 有, Persian: یو درویش, born August 16, 1986 in Osaka, Japan) is a Iranian-Japanese baseball starting pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. At 20 years of age, he is widely heralded as a potential ace for the Fighters, as well as Japanese baseball. Darvish is listed as 6'4" tall (195 cm) and 175 pounds (85 kg). He throws a low-90s (91-93 MPH) fastball, along with a sinker, slider, changeup and knuckle curve. Though his curveball is noted to be of high quality, his command and control remain as areas that require further development. His frame also shows potential for further speed on his fastball. He both throws and bats with his right hand.
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[edit] Biography
Yu's father is an Iranian businessman and former Iranian national soccer team member[1] while his mother is Japanese. Yu is their eldest son. Darvish first inspired interest in Japan in 2004 after playing remarkably active parts in and pitching a no-hitter at the Koshien National High School Baseball Championship [2] during his senior year for Tohoku High School, a school that has produced many professional players, including Major League and Japanese All-Star Kazuhiro Sasaki.
He was extensively scouted since his days in Junior High School by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Atlanta Braves who later tried to sign him. The New York Mets also were in competition for his services. The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Chunichi Dragons, Fukuoka Daiei Hawks and Orix Blue Wave were also in the battle to sign Darvish.[3]
The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters won the first pick of the 2004 draft and proceeded to draft and sign. During that year Darvish occupied a large part of the sports news in Japan.
He received further press when he was caught smoking in a pachinko parlor on an off-day at his first Spring Training in 2005, despite being underage for both activities. The incident led to his subsequent suspension from his team and high school, along with orders to give community service time. Despite his suspension, Darvish made his professional baseball debut later in the season.
In 2006, Darvish helped the Fighters win their first Japan Series since 1961, over the Chunichi Dragons. Darvish lost Game 1 to Chunichi ace Kenshin Kawakami, but the Fighters were able to overcome the loss and Darvish pitched the clinching Game 5 at the Sapporo Dome, 4-1. Darvish also won the championship game of the Konami Cup Asia Series 2006, played between the league champions of Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea at the end of the 2006 season. He won the Most Valuable Player Award for that series, and is considered to be one of Japan's biggest rising stars. [4]
Since Daisuke Matsuzaka signed for the Boston Red Sox and left Japan for the United States of America attention has been focused on Yu Darvish to help keep up the popularity of baseball in Japan. As a young star in Japanese baseball Darvish is expected to fill the void left by Matsuzaka’s departure.[5]Unlike Matsuzaka, Darvish has told the Japanese press that he has no intention of seeking a move to America anytime in the future.
Trey Hillman the manager of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters has said of Yu Darvish "How good do I think he can be? I think he can be the best in the world. He's not there yet ... but I think he can potentially pass a guy like Matsuzaka." [6]
[edit] Career statistics (through 2006)
| Year | Team | W | L | GS | CG | SHO | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters | 5 | 5 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 94.1 | 97 | 37 | 37 | 7 | 48 | 52 | 3.53 |
| 2006 | Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters | 12 | 5 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 149.2 | 128 | 55 | 48 | 12 | 64 | 115 | 2.89 |
| 2007 | Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| TOTALS | 17 | 10 | 38 | 5 | 3 | 244 | 225 | 92 | 85 | 19 | 112 | 167 | 3.14 | |
[edit] Charitable work
- Darvish participated in the “Making of Superstars by Leslie Kee” book which is a compilation of photos and interviews of Asian stars and the accompanying charity exhibition. The proceeds of this project were donated to World Vision Japan. [7]
- On 29 March 2007 the “Yu Darvish Water Fund “was announced. The fund offers the construction of wells, installment and maintenance of well pumps and construction or installment of rain water storage in developing countries. Yu Darvish will directly contribute to this fund by donating 100,000 Japanese Yen for every win during the regular season. The Japan Water Forum will overlook, monitor and manage this fund. [8]
Darvish has stated about the fund that “When I thought what I could do to help the society and the world through baseball, I just thought of starting something small. I wish this fund and hope of mine will eventually lead to help and encourage many people; and even myself.”
