Should Yanks bring back Tanaka to mentor Yamamoto?

Not just mentor. Be a fellow pitcher from Japan who has already done this.

I still don't know why Jackie Robinson was alone in 1947, the only black Brooklyn Dodger, at least until pitcher Dan Bankhead inexplicably joined him in Ebbets Field August 26, 1947 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Dodger game 126. Bankhead relieved starter Hal Gregg in the second inning with Pittsburgh leading 4-0 and pitched 3 innings: 8 runs,1 home run (to Billy Cox). In his only plate appearance Bankhead hit a two run homer off Robinson antagonist Fritz Ostermueller making the score 8-2. Bankhead went to Brooklyn from the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro American League.

But why did Robinson leave spring training 1947 alone? And why add a second black player in game 126? And why Bankhead? Robinson and Bankhead roomed together on the road according to Bankhead's SABR bio. Did they hang out together at all? Did Bankhead's presence help Robinson? Complicate things for Robinson?

July 10, 1997 Hideki Irabu pitched his first game for the Yankees. Irabu started and went 6.66 innings: 2 earned runs, 5 hits, 4 BB, 10 SO, no HR. Irabu was alone, no other Japanese player was on the Yankees.

Irabu was a starting pitcher for the World Series winning Yankees in 1998 and 1999 but he did not pitch in either WS. He then pitched a little for Montreal and Texas.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Hideki_Irabu

Irabu was found dead in his California home on July 27, 2011. The Los Angeles County coroner announced that the cause of death was hanging, as Irabu had apparently committed suicide at age 42. He did not leave a note.

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Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui played for the Yankees 2003-2009: OPS+ 123, 140 HR. Matsui played in two WS: 2003 and 2009 (MVP). Then 2010-2012 for Angels, Oakland, Tampa.

Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa pitched these innings for the Yankees:

2007: 67
2008: 4.

Matsui had an outgoing personality and seemed to have some friendly communication with teammates, including Manhattan neighbor Derek Jeter.

Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka started for the Yankees 2014-2020 (ERA+ 114) and then returned to Japan and has pitched for Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 2021-2023.

Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda started for the Yankees 2012-2014 (ERA+ 117), so Kuroda and Tanaka were Yankee teammates in 2014. Kuroda then returned to Japan and was a starting pitcher the next two seasons at the ages of 40 and 41.

Tanaka just turned 35.

Masahiro Tanaka

Position: Starting Pitcher

Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right

6-3, 218lb (190cm, 98kg)

Born: November 1, 1988 (Age: 35-031d) in Itami, Japan jp

What about the Yankees bringing Tanaka back to pitch and mentor star Japanese free agent pitcher 25 year old Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Yamamoto could then become better acclimated to MLB and the U.S. That possibility might give the Yankees an advantage in signing Yamamoto. Yamamoto would not be alone.

Shorter than six feet tall: 6.9% of MLB pitchers 2000-2013. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is 5'10". And what's "the hollow beneath the kneecap"? Friday, December 1, 2023