POST 2011 PRO BASEBALL SEASON

Ma-kun unveils plan to wed TV celebrity
Last season's Sawamura Award winner Masahiro Tanaka of Rakuten Golden Eagles admitted on Jan 26 he was tying the knot with Mai Satoda the end of March. They dated since 2009 after appearing in a TV show together. Ma-ku, as he's called told reporters she is a good cook. Satoda is better known to the general public as a stupid celebrity.

Darvish signs with Texas Rangers
Yu Darvish's joining the Texas Rangers was officially announced in Texas on Jan 20. He has notched a 6 year contract for $110 million according to US media reports. He will wear number 11, the number he wore with the Nippon Ham Fighters. On Jan 24, he gave a candid speech at Sapporo Dome by inviting fans and said he initially was not interested to play in MLB, but he said Japanese players are given low marks in the States and wanted to prove otherwise. He aims to become the number one pitcher.

Iwakuma says he signed with Seattle Mariners
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma said he will play for the Mariners in the coming season on Jan 6 in Tokyo. This means he will play with superstar Ichiro Suzuki. It's a one year deal for 1.5 million US dollars. He will wear number 18. The deal comes after failing to tie the knot with the Oakland Athletics last season. Iwakuma has won the most wins twice.

The Lions Hiroyuki Nakajima fails to form a deal with the Yankees
New York Yankees won the right to negotiate with Nakajima. But the deal did not go through according to the Yankees on Jan 5. Nakajima will play for the Seibu Lions.




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