Former Mets Pitcher Born In Japan: Hisanori Takahashi (2010)

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Hisanori Takahashi was born in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2nd 1975. The five foot ten left hander pitched ten years in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants.

In his rookie year he was third on the Giants Championship staff with a 9-6 record, pitching a shutout in Game #5 of the Japan Series. He won another championship with the Giants in 2002 and pitched well through the decade.

In 2007 he had his biggest year, leading the league in ERA (2.75) ging 14-4 (second in the league in wins) and getting name to the Best Nine. He had a bad 2008 year but rebounded in 2009. After that season he announced he would be pitching in America in the major leagues. He signed as a free agent with the New York Mets & became the tenth Mets player in thier history to be born in Japan.

Takahashi appeared in the second game of the 2010 season, taking a loss to the Florida Marlins. By the end of April he would earn his first win, a three inning relief outing against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. After going 3-1 in relief he was given his first MLB start in the subway series against the AL New York team on May 21st. He pitched five scoreless innings striking out five getting no decision.

His next start was five days later & he pitched five shut out innings against the Philadelphia Phillies earning his first win as a starter. He had another good outing in Baltimore on June 12th, pitching seven innings against the Orioles allowing just one run, earning his fifth victory. He was 7-5 going into August with a 4.22 ERA when he was given the closers role. 

No one else could seem to fill the spot after Francisco Rodriquez was done for the year. On August 16th he earned his first save, coming in Houston in a 3-1 win over the Astros. From there through the end of the season he saved eight games going 10-6 with a 3.61 ERA striking out 114 batters in 122 innings making 53 appearances.

In December 2010 he signed a two year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and went 4-3 there with two saves & seven holds posting a 3.44 ERA in 61 games. In two seasons he is 14-9 with ten saves 166 strike outs, 68 walks & a 3.55 ERA in 190 innings in 114 appearances.

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