Masato Yoshii

Before leaving Japan to try his arm in the Major Leagues, Masato Yoshii pitched ten years with the Kintetsu Buffaloes (1985-94) and three with the Yakult Swallows (1995-97).

In the Pacific League, the right handed hurler had the most success in the Kintetsu bullpen, earning 59 saves in a three year span (1988-90). But after a mediocre 1994 season (5.47 ERA, 7-7), the Buffaloes dumped what appeared to be a pitcher at the end of his career.

Determined to prove Kintetsu wrong, Yoshii jumped leagues and joined the Yakult Swallows in 1995. A very consistent pitcher in his three years with the Swallows, Yoshii earned a 10-7 record in both of his first two years and a 13-6 record with a 2.99 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings. Yoshii may not strike out of lot of batters, but he doesn't issue many walks either.

Though not the best hurler on the Yakult pitching staff, Yoshii was the most reliable. The gap his departure leaves on the Swallows' starting rotation won't be easily filled. In his thirteen seasons with the Buffaloes and Swallows, Yoshii compiled a 73-51 career record with a 3.42 lifetime ERA and 634 strikeouts.