A Fitting Tribute
The other day, Sports Hochi reported that, in the event that he signs with the Rangers, the Nippon Ham Fighters will “semi-retire” Yu Darvish’s number 11. The number won’t be officially retired, but will remain unused until the team develops another “absolute, Darvish-caliber ace”.
So it’ll be something like a Nippon Ham adaptation of number 18, Japanese baseball’s recognized “ace number”. Incidentally, Darvish wore 18 for Japan’s 2008 Olympic Team, because Kenshin Kawakami had 11. I could have my historical facts not-quite-right here, but I believe the ace number tradition was popularized by 18-wearer Tsuneo Horiuchi, Yomiuri’s 60’s and 70’s-era ace. After Horiuchi retired, number 18 was eventually passed down to Masumi Kuwata who went on to have a lengthy career. Every NPB except Yakult currently has number 18 assigned to a pitcher. In the Major Leagues, Hiroki Kuroda, Daisuke Matsuzaka and now Tsuyoshi Wada wear number 18.
I’m on board with this one, I think treating 11 as a new ace number is a great idea. Darvish’s tenure in NPB has been short, but legendary, and he’s certainly left his mark on Japanese baseball.
03/01/2012 at 3:14 pm Permalink
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/エースナンãƒãƒ¼#.E3.83.97.E3.83.AD.E9.87.8E.E7.90.83
Not listed is Akira Noguchi, a brother of Jiro Noguchi. He is the first 18 to record the most wins in a season. A great trivia quiz.
06/01/2012 at 10:23 pm Permalink
Also,　it was reported that Hisashi Iwakuma will also wear number 18 for the Seattle Mariners (背番å·ã¯18ã«æ±ºã¾ã£ãŸï¼). I believe the Mariners will play Hanshin on March 25 and Kyojin on March 26. I can’t wait!!!
10/01/2012 at 1:17 am Permalink
It’s not quite true that 18 is the ace number for NPB. Tigers used 28 and 29 as their ace numbers (and I believe the Giants used 29). This has rather lapsed as their current ace is No. 14. Murayama wore 11.