Shigetoshi Hasegawa with the Anaheim Angels

Shige is the last of the Japanese US Major League players to return to Japan after the 97 season. On Nov. 10, he arrived at Kansai International Airport. Although it is not certain whether Shige will stay with the Angels, he has no doubt that he will play again in the US the coming season.

Shige on the mound
ERA 3.93
50th game (September 27 in Anaheim)
The Angels are incredible. Shige gave up 3 RBIs in 5 innings to the Texas Rangers, and he left 2 runners on base in the 6th inning with no out when he was ordered out. Both came home by means of a sacrifice fly and a squeeze. It seemed hopeless for the Angels to catch up, because they were behind 1 to 5 at that point. However, the Angels reversed the game, winning it 8 to 7.

49th game (September 21 in Arlington)
The only RBI Shige lost in the game against the Texas Rangers was to a sacrifice fly in the 1st inning. In the 6th inning, when he gave up consecutive base hits, it was time for Shige to be replaced. At that point, the teams were tied 1-1. The Angels accumulated runs thereafter and won the game 4 to 1. The Angels have not yet lost hope to proceed to the playoffs.

48th game (September 16 in Anaheim)
It's been 4 months since Shige started a game. He had a wonderful 3 innings. In the 5th inning, Marty Cordova of the Minnesota Twins homered a double. Shige lost another run after that, plus 2 more in the 6th, then he was gone. The game ended 9 to 3 for the Twins. Shige may be given another chance to start.

47th game (September 12 in Anaheim)
In 2 1/3 innings, Shige lost only one base hit to the Kansas City Royals. He played a worthwhile role by coming up to pitch with the teams tied 4 to 4. He took the blame for losing 1 RBI thereafter, but the Angels, in the end won 8 to 5.

46th game (September 7 in Detroit)
Shige had 2 things to celebrate about in this game against the Detroit Tigers. He surpassed Masanori Murakami's number of games pitched in one season. In addition to that, he clinched his 3rd win by hurling the last 4 innings from the 12th inning. The Angels succeeded in winning the game 5 to 4.

45th game (September 2 in Anaheim)
This game brings Shige to a tie with the number of games Japan's first Major League player recorded in 1965. He faced the Colorado Rockies for 3 2/3 innings from the middle of the 4th. The Angels were already losing 1 to 5. So even though they lost 2 to 7 in the end, it didn't hurt Shige who gave away 1 RBI.

44th game (August 28 in San Diego)
The starting pitcher was in turmoil and Shige pitched the 5th inning. He himself lost an RBI. The Angels lost to the San Diego Padres 2 to 9.

42nd game (August 20 in Anaheim)
For the second time Shige got to pitch against a Japanese pitcher. First,it was Hideo Nomo of the Dodgers on June 18, and Hideki Irabu of the Yankees this time. Shige took over from the middle of the 2nd inning already in the 2nd game of a double header against the New York Yankees. He pitched well until he lost a 3 run homer to Derek Jeter in the 8th inning. Shige pitched the longest ever 6 2/3 innings although his team lost 5 to 8 to the Yankees.

41st game (August 17 in Baltimore)
Another disaster for Shige. The Angels were tied 4 to 4 in the 9th inning. Shige strived to relief the team. However in the 10th inning, he walked then balked. Lenny Webster of the Baltimore Orioles singled for a game winning RBI. Shige marked his 6th loss.

40th game (August in )

39th game (August 12 in Chicago)
The Angels had Shige take over with runners on 1st and 3rd in the 7th inning, tying 4 to 4 with the Chicago White Sox. It was a disaster thereafter. Frank Thomas drove the ball to the right, then Albert Belle had a 2 run homer. Shige took 2 outs thereafter and left. The Angels lost 5 to 8.

38th game (August 8 in Anaheim)
The Angels were already behind the Baltimore Orioles 1 to 5, so even though Shige lost an RBI in the 8th inning, it didn't really affect the game. The Orioles, including Cal Ripken Jr. drove 3 consecutive runs from Shige, including a run batted in. Shige took 2 outs before leaving the game.

37th game (August 6 in Anaheim)
Fortunately, the Angels defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 8 to 6 on Aug. 6, but Shige was a disappointment. There was a runner on first base with 2 outs in the 7th inning. However, Shige hurled a wild pitch, and walked the next batter, then he himself was out of the game.

36th game (July 31 in Anaheim)
In the 5th inning, when Shige took over as the 3rd pitcher, his team caught up with the Chicago White Sox. In the 8th inning, Shige lost an RBI. And although his team tied again in the bottom of that inning, he was out. The possibility for Shige to become the winning pitcher vanished. The White Sox won the competitive game, 14 to 12.

35th game (July 27 in Boston)
The Angels sent Shige to pitch in the 7th inning with 1 out. They were leading the Red Sox 5 to 3 then. Shige lost an RBI. The team was still leading when Shige was suddenly singled in the 9th inning after which he left. The Red Sox succeeded in batting in 3 runs to end the game to their victory.

34th game (July 25 in Boston)
For the first time, Shige left the mound without even taking one out. The Angels played against the Boston Red Sox for the 2nd time this day. The game was tied when Shige pitched. However, his turn to pitch was over right after he was singled to center with a runner on 1st base and 2 outs. At least, the Angels defeated the Red Sox 8 to 5.

33rd game (July 23 in New York)
The Angels caught up with the New York Yankees in the 6th inning 4 to 4. In the 9th, Shige was doubled. Then the next batter grounded the ball which Angels' Luis Alicea picked up and lously throw to 1st. That error allowed the runner on second to come home. Hasegawa seemed so irritated to lose the game as he did that he thrusted his met toward the visitor's dugout as he walked toward it.

32nd game (July 20 in Anaheim)
The Angels have been doing extraordinary well for the past 12 games. Shige was able to contribute this time against the Toronto Blue Jays. His turn came when the game was being very competitive at 6 to 5 for the Angels. This was in the 7th inning. He successfully pitched 1 2/3 innings.

31st game (July 15 in Anaheim)
Though the Angels defeated the Texas Ranger 6 to 2, Shige was homered in just the 1 inning he pitched.

30th game (July 13 in Oakland)
The Angels' starting pitcher failed to complete 5 innings. Shige got the chance to win the game with Angels leading the Oakland Athletics 4 to 3, pitching from the 5th inning at 2 outs and bases loaded. It's quite a responsibility, but he made it. Shige finished the 7th inning and did not lose any points. His team won 5 to 3. Shige was credited for the victory and earned his 2nd win.

29th game (July 4 in Anaheim)
This time, Shige pitched 4 long innings against the Seattle Mariners. That's from the 6th inning with the Angels behind 6 to 2. He was homered in the 9th inning. The game gave the Mariners a 7 to 3 for the Marlins.

28th game (July 3 in Anaheim)
The Angels face the LA Dodgers, and Nomo started the game. Shige, unfortunately was not able to play in the game when Hideo Nomo was still pitching for the Dodgers. Nomo was out after pitching 6 innings. Shige was on only in the 9th inning. His performance did not affect the game which ended 2 to 8, a victory for the Dodgers.

27th game (June 30 in Denver)
Shige just pitched the 8th inning. He lost a base hit and walked one, and that was all. The Angels lost anyway to the Colorado Rockies 7 to 11.

26th game (June 27 in Seattle)
The Angels were already way behind the Seattle Mariners by the time Shige was called to pitch in the 6th inning. It was a 1 to 8. Shige pitched well this time. He didn't even lose a base hit during the 3 innings he had.

25th game (June 25 in Arlington)
It was tough experience for Shige. He had to take over in the 9th inning with the Angels at a 4-4 tie with the Texas Rangers. Already a runner was on 2nd base with no outs. A bunt has helped the runner to 3rd base. Then Shige was told by the manager Terry Collins to walk the next 2 batters. He did. Then Mark McLemore swung Shige's fastball to the center. It became a game ending hit for the Rangers.

24th game (June 23 in Arlington)
Shige took over after starting pitcher Allen Watson in the 7th inning, with the Angels leading the Texas Rangers 1 to 0. A runner got to 3rd base, but Shige did not allow him to come home. So he saved that inning. The game finished 1 to 0.

23rd game (June 18 in Los Angeles)
2 Japanese pitchers hurled for their respective teams. The LA Dodgers started the game with Hideo Nomo. Hasegawa didn't get to pitch from the beginning, but he at least got to appear in the game at a point when the Angels just reversed the game--that was in the top of the 6th inning. Shige had the chance to earn a win, and he pitched well too. However, the Dodgers turned the game around and they won 7 to 5.

22nd game (June 14 in Anaheim)
There was a rumor that Hasegawa will start against Hideo Nomo of the Dodgers on the 18th, but his performance this day has lashed out the possibility. Hasegawa lost 3 RBIs to the San Francisco Giants in the only inning he pitched, or the 4th inning. The Angels were badly defeated to a 3 to 10.

21st game (June 13 in Anaheim)
San Diego Padres of National League visited the Angels for the interleague game and played a 5 hour long, close game They were still tied 7 to 7 in the 9th inning, so the game went into extra innings. Hasegawa was the 7th Angel to pitch that day--that's in the 14th inning. He got 2 outs, but walked the next batter and then was doubled by Quilvio Veras. He lost a RBI, which game the Padres the game victory.

20th game (June 11 in Kansas City)
Hasegawa came on in the 7th inning to pitch at a rather irrelevant timing. Afterall, the Angels were behind the Kansas City Royals by then 1 to 5. Hasegawa was batted in a run in the 8th and the game ended 1 to 6.

19th game (June 7 in Minnesota)
It was in the 5th inning that Hasegawa took to the mound against the Minnesota Twins. He pitched well, losing only 2 base hits during the 3 2/3 innings that he hurled.

18th game (June 3 in Anaheim)
An experiment took place. Hasegawa took on a new relaxed kind of pitching style for the game against the Kansas City Royals. He pitched 2 innings, lost 2 base hits but no runs were batted in from him. The Angels though were behind the Royals when he pitched the last 2 innings, so his teams' defeat had nothing to do with him. The game was a 2 to 5 win for the Royals.

17th game (June 1 in Anaheim)
It was another tough day for Hasegawa. He lost an RBI during the 2 2/3 innings he pitched against the Twins. He was taken off the mound with bases loaded in the 6th inning. The Angels lost 4 to 5 and Shige got the credit for the loss. It's his 3rd.

16th game (May 27 in Detroit)
He pitched 2 innings and lost a RBI.

15th game (May 26 in Detroit)
Shige had to face a tough situation. He was asked to pitch in the 8th inning with the Tigers on all bases with no outs. Shige successfully finished the inning. However, his team was, unfortunately, blanked by the Detroit Tigers 6 to 0.

14th game (May 21 in Anaheim)
The Angels were far ahead of the Seattle Mariners 18 to 3 when Hasegawa came to relief the team in the 8th inning. He was not batted in a run.

13th game (May 19 in Anaheim)
He pitched 1 2/3 innings and lost only a base hit.

12th game (May 17 in Anaheim)
Hasegawa was called to pitch in the 4th inning with the Angels behind the Milwaukee Brewers 5 to 0. There was a Brewer on second with 2 outs. He pitched until he took an out in the 7th inning. Hasegawa was not scored. He had made a worthwhile pitch, for in the 6th inning, the Angels batted in 4 RBIs and in the 8th, succeeded in topping the Brewers, finishing the game by winning 6 to 5.

11th game (May 14 in Anaheim)
The game was probably a nightmare for Hasegawa. The Baltimore Orioles blasted a homer from his very first pitch. Cal Ripken Jr. smashed a 2 run homerun. In all, he lost 5 RBIs in 3 innings. He performed so bad that after the game it was reported that he will not start the next time.

10th game (May 9 in Milwaukee)
Shige suddenly lost 2 RBIs in the 1st inning. The Angels caught up in the 4th inning, but he continued to be scored. Hasegawa pitched 7 innings--the longest number of innings ever in the US Major Leagues and lost a total of 5 RBIs. He's responsible for 4 RBIs though. He became the losing pitcher of the game against the Milwaukee Brewers which finished 4 to 5.
Michiyo's Note: Before this game, it was reported that Hasegawa's baseball cap will be exhibited at the Baseball Hall of Fame, for being the 1st Japanese pitcher to mark a win in the American League. Good for him!

9th game (May 4 in Chicago)
As was reported earlier, Hasegawa was given a chance to start the game again. He faced the Chicago White Sox in their homeground. The Angels scored in the 1st inning. Hasegawa lost a solo homerun to Harold Baines, allowing the White Sox to catch up with the Angels. However, that was the only real loss Hasegawa faced. He was taken off the mound in the 6th inning after 1 out and with a runner on base. The relief pitcher didn't do well and lost RBIs to the White Sox. The White Sox won 4 to 2.

8th game (April 30 in Boston)
This time, Hasegawa pitched 2 innings against the Boston Red Sox. He did it without being scored. However, he hit the Red Sox batter with his pitch, and the opposing team appeared to be quite mad about it. By the way, after the game, it was disclosed that Hasegawa will start the game on May 4 against the White Sox.

7th game (April 27 in Anaheim)
The Angels was behind 4 to 5 when Hasegawa came to pitch in the 8th inning. He was able to hold the Detroit Tigers back from attacking him. The Angels took action in the bottom of that inning by batting in a run for a tie. They finished the game in the final inning with a game winning run.

6th game (April 22 in Anaheim)
With the Angels ahead 5 to 4, Hasegawa was assumed to keep the team ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays. However, in the 7th inning, he succumbed to a homerun. The pitcher relieving Hasegawa became the losing pitcher.

5th game (April 19 in Kansas City)
Hasegawa took over to pitch just in the 6th inning, with the Kansas City Royals leading 6 to 2. He did not lose any RBIs nor did his performance have any affect on his team which as a result lost 3 to 7.

4th game (April 15 in New York)
It was a big day for Hasegawa. He pitched in the 8th inning with the Angels behind the New York Yankees. He didn't face any base hits. Then in the 9th, Jack Howell drove the ball to the center to score the winning point. The Angels won 6 to 5. Hasegawa luckily became the winning pitcher. It's of course, his first victory in the US Major Leagues. He's become only the 3rd Japanese pitcher to mark such a feat.

3rd game (April 11 in Cleveland)
Hasegawa had to relieve the Angels' starting pitcher already from the 2nd inning. With runner on second and no outs, Hasegawa was called to pitch. He fortunately lost only 1 run that inning and pitched the next 2 innings successfully. In the 5th inning, it looked as if the Angels' shortstop could take a double play, but he missed. After that, Manny Ramirez blasted a 3 run homer. Hasegawa lost 6 runs in all this game, and the Angels, as a result, lost to the Indians 15 to 3. After the game, Angels manager Collins mentioned that Hasegawa was just unlucky this time. That Collins may consider allowing Hasegawa to start again.

2nd game (April 8 in Anaheim)
It's been disclosed by the manager of the Angels on Apr. 7 that Hasegawa will not be listed as a starting pitcher anymore. So his 2nd time to pitch was as a middle reliever. He was the 2nd one to pitch on Apr.8, that's from the 5th inning, with the New York Yankees leading 6 to 5. Hasegawa, however, lost a homerun in the 6th inning. He threw a total of 1 2/3 innings. The Angels, in the end, batted in a run to win the game 10 to 9.

First game (April 5 in Anaheim)
Hasegawa made his official debut on Apr. 5, starting against the Cleveland Indians. Some members of the Indians have known Hasegawa in Japan. Julia Franco played for the Lotte Marines when today's Mets manager Bobby Valentine was heading the team. Kevin Mitchell played for the Daiei Hawks. Hasegawa is said to have told the press before the game that he had no worries about facing the 2 players, because they rarely slammed his pitch. It turned out that Hasegawa lost no runs to Franco, but a double and a single to Mitchell. He actually performed well in 4 innings by using his different types of breaking balls. Hasegawa failed to keep his concentration in the 5th inning He lost a 2 run homer, and the Indians continued to get on base thereafter. Hasegawa left the mound taking only 1 out in that inning. By the way, Hasegawa's team mate Jack Howell who was with the Swallows blasted a single.
Michiyo' Note: It's so amazing to be able to see all these players who were in the Japanese leagues, now on the US Major League teams.

Hasegawa will start the 97 season in the Major Leagues
Manager of the Anaheim Angels, Terry Collins disclosed on Mar.24 that Shige will make his official debut on April 5 against the Cleveland Indians. This will be in the Angels' 4th game of the season. Shige has pitched in 5 exhibition games. His ERA has been 5.00

Hasegawa becomes an Angel
The first ever monetary trade agreement has been made between a US Major League team and Japan's pro baseball team. The Anaheim Angels announced on Jan 9 that they have made a deal with the Orix Blue Wave over pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa. The Angels is estimated to pay a total 2 million dollars to the Blue Wave and to Hasegawa. Hasegawa was the Pacific League Rookie of the Year in 1991. He is the 4th Japanese to sign a contract with a US baseball club, and the first ever to sign directly with a Major League team.
Michiyo's Note: Shige, as he is called by his Angels teammate is reported to be much easy going than Nomo. He is practicing his English whereas Nomo does not really care to speak the language.


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