Hasegawa calls it quits at age 37
Published 9:00 pm Monday, January 23, 2006
Relief pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa, who never regained his effectiveness after a dazzling season for the Seattle Mariners in 2003, has decided to retire
Hasegawa told the Associated Press in Tokyo that teams had shown interest in signing him for the 2006 season, but he decided that neither his mind nor body were ready for another year of baseball.
“Unless I’m in perfect shape mentally and physically, I wouldn’t be able to be an important part of a team,” he said.
Hasegawa, 37, appeared to realize after the Mariners’ final game last year that he had pitched for the last time. He struggled to keep his emotions in the clubhouse and waved reporters away as he packed his belongings.
The Mariners rejected their $3.1 million option for the 2006 season, making Hasegawa a free agent.
Hasegawa was among the American League’s best right-handed relievers in 2003, and his ability to pitch in several bullpen roles became a blessing to the Mariners. He finished with a 1.48 earned run average and recorded 16 saves after closer Kazuhiro Sasaki was injured. He was selected to the AL All-Star team that season.
However, Hasegawa’s ERA jumped to 5.16 in 2004 and 4.19 last year.
Hasegawa pitched six seasons for the Orix Blue Wave of Japan before joining the Anaheim Angels in 1997. The Mariners signed him as a free agent in 2002, when he went 8-3 with a 3.20 ERA.
He will finish his career with a 15-16 lifetime record and a 3.46 ERA.
Baseball week: Amid the euphoria over the Seahawks’ berth in the Super Bowl, there are some sure signs that baseball season is near.
Japanese catcher Kenji Johjima has arrived in Seattle and will meet area media today. The Mariners will hold their annual pre-spring training media briefing on Thursday, and the annual FanFest of exhibits and player appearances is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Safeco Field.
Spring training begins in less than a month, with Mariners pitchers and catchers scheduled to report Feb. 15 and work out for the first time the next day.
Bloomquist deal official: Infielder Willie Bloomquist’s new two-year contract became official after he successfully completed his physical exam last week. Bloomquist had agreed to a $1.525 million contact, pending the physical.
Caravan coming: Former pitcher Norm Charlton has been added to the lineup of Mariners personnel who will appear at the team’s caravan appearance Wednesday at English Crossing Elementary in the Lakewood School District. Charlton, now a pitching instructor in the organization, will be joined by infielder Greg Dobbs, broadcaster Rick Rizzs and the Mariner Moose for an assembly. The assembly is not open to the public.
