Hold Your Horses
A couple of days ago, a major news agency published a report stating that Yu Darvish has decided to pursue an MLB career via the posting system this offseason. The news was widely repeated and set off a wave of speculation.
Unfortunately it was a little premature. On the 19th, Darvish shot down the report on his personal blog. I’ve translated the entirety of his blog post below (hope he doesn’t mind):
Articles saying “Confirmed: Darvish to the Majors!” have been appearing since yesterday.
As I mentioned on Twitter
Nothing is decided!!
I haven’t decided anything for myself so nothing can be confirmed.(^_^;)
It was an article from the Kyodo News, but what did they base their writing on?
You can say this is freedom of press, but with freedom comes responsibility.
I want a press that takes responsibility.
Every year, when I haven’t decided anything, they write “Majors this, Majors that”, but then when I don’t go they just make up excuses.
How did they write lies and escape responsibility?
Well, after the entire schedule is over, I will carefully think it over!
As soon as I decide I will let everyone know(^^)v
(as always, if the Nihongo speakers in the audience see any issues with my translation, please feel free to let me know.)
So there we have it.
My best guess is that whatever information the original reporting was based on came from the Nippon Ham side. Team owner Hiroji Okoso has been quite chatty about Darvish lately, most recently commenting “for an ace of his stature, if he’s willing to stay we’d have to think about JPY 700m, no, JPY 1bn.” That’s quite a statement, as it would shatter the record for highest-paid NPB player.
There’s obviously huge interest in what will happen with Darvish, so the speculation won’t stop. But the only guy with real credibility on the topic is Darvish himself.
21/10/2011 at 7:45 am Permalink
Tell ’em, Patrick!
21/10/2011 at 8:32 am Permalink
“I want a press that takes responsibility.”
You probably don’t want to come to the US, then. Fair warning. 😉
23/10/2011 at 8:28 pm Permalink
Haha, as usual eh. I’m surprised that this time it was a reputable source, Kyodo, instead of rumour happy sports papers. Then again, is that new?
23/10/2011 at 8:50 pm Permalink
BTW, Mobage BayStars, how long is this new ownership gonna last if they get off the ground in the first place?
23/10/2011 at 10:14 pm Permalink
Well, if Shinjo is their manager it should be entertaining.
Not a fan of the proposed uniforms though.
http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/baseball/npb/news/20111024-OHT1T00046.htm
Cue EJH pointing out that seeing the product name last in the standings isn’t going to help the company in 5..4..3…
23/10/2011 at 10:54 pm Permalink
That uniform’s only a Hochi creation, but I don’t imagine the real thing to be much better. Mobage brand is all about tackiness.
26/10/2011 at 2:37 am Permalink
He should mind, and text you a thank-you followed by three hearts.
:-p
I don’t know what to think of Darvish Yu. He’ll be a fine marketing tool (that DiceK had served so well for the BoSox). But I’ll rather the smart market finds another Okajima. I just had “Moneyball” written all over me.
😀