Takatsu Shingo

I don't know if there could be a "revival" of Japanese closers since there was only Sasaki, and one guy doesn't constitute any kind of trend. But if there ever was a guy who could close in the majors it would be Takatsu for sure. He doesn't have the typical dominant closer stuff, but he sure can hit his spots and get ahead in the count - something a lot of closers in MLB fail to do.

I'm going back a long way, but Takatsu reminds me of former standout closer Jeff Montgomery of the KC Royals in that they both aren't big guys and don't have overpowering stuff, but they can locate their pitches well and throw good off-speed stuff to keep the hitters off-balance.

Here in Baseball-Hinterland Vancouver, I have had the opportunity to expand my previous NY-bound baseball world with ESPN radio games of the week, including this past weekend's Cubs-White Sox match-up. Takatsu made a relief appearance and pitched well. "Under the radar" is right. I had no idea he was a relief star for the Yakult Swallows for so many years. Any info about his year so far in Chicago, and how he is being received there, would be most welcome.

Takatsu is 4-1 with 3 SV and a 1.42 ERA. Takatsu has pitched in 29 games.

- Any info about his year so far in Chicago, and how he is being received there, would be most welcome.

A good Chicago newspaper article from a few weeks ago has expired from the paper's web site, but it is still in Google's cache for the time being. [Link - Google cache of Sun Times]