Hideki Irabu was found dead from an apparent suicide that occurred in Los Angeles. The Japanese fastballer who was one of the first players from Japan to hit MLB was said to be separated from his wife for several weeks.

That separation wasn’t the only personal issue the former New York Yankees pitcher faced since he left MLB.

In addition to being arrested in Japan in 2008 after being accused of assaulting a bartender after downing about 20 brews, he was again busted in 2010, this time in Los Angeles for suspicion of DUI.

When first arriving to the United States in the late 90’s, Irabu possessed a fastball that flirted with 100 mph mark on the radar guns and was expected to be another strikeout king. That labeled the hurler as the Japanese version of Nolan Ryan and added additional pressure to the foreign player.

Instead of leaving players standing at the plate with their pants around their ankles, Irabu was rocked time and time again and never met expectations.

Clutching for anything that could bring him confidence, Irabu tried taping magnets all over his body when he pitched. Soon recognized as a big bust, Irabu looked like his time in MLB would be short-lived and was called a “fat toad” by then Yankees owner George Steinbrenner during one exhibition game.

In all, Irabu finished his career with a 34-35 record with 16 saves as a reliever in Texas and a 5.15 ERA.

An autopsy is planned to verify the cause of death.

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

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