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Hitoshi Tamura

Discussion in the Nichi-Bei forum
Hitoshi Tamura
I believe it was Hitoshi Tamura who hit that home run bomb in San Diego, Petco Park during the WBC. That hit was amazing in the distance it traveled. Not many players can hit one out a Petco park - especially in center field. I thought that it went over 400 feet.

I was wondering what happened to him during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Was he injured? Also, does anyone know if he has interest in coming to the Majors? If he has, when does his 9 years in the Nippon league end? It's kind of weird, I have a 1995 BBM baseball card of his, so in theory, is he available to go to the MLB?

Thanks,
Scott
Comments
Re: Hitoshi Tamura
[ Author: Something Lions | Posted: Mar 27, 2006 2:59 PM | SL Fan ]

Right shoulder rehab for all of 1998. Then spent 1999 with the 2-gun (minor league) team.

He's a great outfielder with a big bat, but does seem injury/accident prone. [Japanese wikipedia page]
Re: Hitoshi Tamura
[ Author: Guest: Michael Eng | Posted: Mar 28, 2006 8:03 AM ]

In addition, Tamura only has 5 years, 109 days of service time, so the earliest he could join an MLB team (without being released or posted) as a free agent is in 2010.

Michael Eng
Re: Hitoshi Tamura
[ Author: Guest: npb over mlb | Posted: Mar 27, 2006 5:40 PM ]

Is Petco Park as big as the Yahoo Dome?

Anyways that was a pretty nice home run by Tamura, a few rows back in the center field of Petco Park is impressive.
Re: Hitoshi Tamura
[ Author: Guest: John Brooks | Posted: Mar 27, 2006 9:39 PM ]

- Is Petco Park as big as the Yahoo Dome?

Petco Park is 334, 396, and 382 from left, center, and right. The Tokyo Dome is 328, 400, and 328 from left, center, and right. [All measurements in feet.] [San Diego Padres - MLB Ball Parks] [Tokyo Dome Architectural Page (in English)]
Re: Hitoshi Tamura
[ Author: Guest: j in la | Posted: Mar 28, 2006 4:25 PM ]

Petco Park is considered as the polar opposite to Coors Field. The Padres' own players have complained about the way the stadium plays. Not only are the dimensions huge, but balls don't seem to carry there very much. Tamura's homer would have been out at almost every MLB stadium.

Tamura hit a breaking ball on the outer half of the plate. That home run was pretty impressive.
Re: Hitoshi Tamura
[ Author: Sharks410 | Posted: Mar 29, 2006 12:05 AM ]

Thanks everyone for the information. I agree with J in la, very impressive in Petco Park.
Re: Hitoshi Tamura
[ Author: minnesotavikes80 | Posted: Mar 29, 2006 2:40 PM | YG Fan ]

Supposedly Ned Yost, manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, took an interest in Tamura during a Japan team - Brewers exhibition game during the WBC. Tamura also said that the WBC made him think he could possibly play in America.
Re: Hitoshi Tamura
[ Author: Guest: npb over mlb | Posted: Mar 30, 2006 9:22 AM ]

That would be cool to see Tamura play in Milwakee. And about Tamura's power, he's not a big guy like Bonds, but he can still hit big home runs like in Petco Park.
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