Tagged: Hisashi Iwakuma
Iwakuma’s Cooperstown Cap
August 12, 2015 was obviously an exciting day for Hisashi Iwakuma, etching his name in the history books by tossing a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles. If you were at the game (and even if you weren’t), we’re sure you wanted to save something from that day to remember the great achievement..and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York was no different.
If you weren’t able to save a ticket stub, a game program or even some garlic fries (we won’t judge) from that day, now you can see a bit of Mariners history when you visit the Hall of Fame.
Iwakuma graciously donated his game-worn hat to them and it will be on display for all baseball lovers to enjoy.
This week, Kuma received a certificate to thank him for his generous donation.
If you want to take a trip down memory lane, here are some highlights from the no-hitter as well as some fun facts.
IWAKUMA NO-NO…Hisashi Iwakuma threw the 5th no-hitter (4th individual) in Mariners history August 12 vs. Baltimore at Safeco Field…here are some details on the no-hitter:
- Japanese No-Hitter – Became the second Japanese-born pitcher with a no-hitter in MLB history, joining Hideo Nomo: Sept. 17, 1996 at Colorado (with Dodgers) & April 4, 2001 at Baltimore (with Boston).
- Breaking the AL Jinx – At the time, became the first AL pitcher with a no-hitter since Felix Hernandez on Aug. 15, 2012…there were 12 no-hitters (11 individual, one combined) in the NL since Felix’s Perfect Game…marks the longest streak of no-hitters thrown in one league since the inception of the AL in 1901.
- Mariners No-Hit Theme – Each of the 3 previous no-hitters in the American League have been tossed by the Mariners…the last team responsible for 3 consecutive no-hitters in its league was NYY (3 straight, 1996-99).
- Home No-No’s – Was the 5th no-hitter in Seattle Mariners history, the 4th individual…all 5 of the Mariners no-hitters have come in home games, with 3 at Safeco Field (Iwakuma, Felix, combined no-no) and two at The Kingdome (Randy, Bosio).
Get Well Tour at Seattle Children’s
Hisashi Iwakuma, Seth Smith and the Mariner Moose spent some time at Seattle Children’s Hospital spreading Get Well wishes to patients.
The visit was part of the Holland America Line Get Well Tour of area hospitals. Patients receive autographs, photos, a Holland America gift bag, and a chance to meet one of their baseball heroes.
The trio spent time with patients and their siblings in the activity area and then visited a handful of patients in their rooms including the cardiac intensive care unit. Kuma and Smith even donned hospital gowns, gloves and face masks so they could stop by to visit with one patient with a compromised immune system.
Hisashi Iwakuma Named A.L. Player of the Week
Seattle Mariners right-handed pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma has been named the American League Player of the Week for Aug. 10-16. It is the first career Player of the Week honor for Iwakuma.
Iwakuma tossed the 5th no-hitter in Mariners history, 4th by a single pitcher, on Aug. 12 vs. Baltimore. He joined Randy Johnson on June 2, 1990 vs. Detroit, Chris Bosio on April 22, 1993 vs. Boston & Felix Hernandez on Aug. 15, 2012 vs. Tampa Bay (perfect game) as pitchers in club history with a no-hitter. The team also combined for a 6-man no-hitter on June 8, 2012 vs. Los Angeles (NL); Kevin Millwood (6.0 IP), Charlie Furbush (0.2), Stephen Pryor (0.1), Lucas Luetge (0.1), Brandon League (0.2) & Tom Wilhelmsen (1.0).
The right-hander is just the 2nd Japanese-born pitcher with an MLB no-hitter, joining Hideo Nomo who tossed two no-hitters during his career, Sept. 17, 1996 at Colorado (with Dodgers) & April 4, 2001 at Baltimore (with Boston).
Iwakuma’s no-hitter is the 4th in MLB this season, but the first in the American League since Felix Hernandez on Aug. 15, 2012 vs. Tampa Bay. National League no-hitters this season include Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels vs. Chicago (NL) on July 25, Washington’s Max Scherzer vs. Pittsburgh on June 20, San Francisco’s Chris Heston vs. New York (NL) on June 9.
This is Iwakuma’s first career Player of the Week honor, and the first by a Mariners pitcher since Felix Hernandez on June 9, 2014. This is the third Player of the Week honor for the Mariners this season after Brad Miller (May 18) and Nelson Cruz (April 20) won the award earlier this season.
On the season, Iwakuma is 4-2 with a 3.86 ERA (31 ER, 72.1 IP) with 58 strikeouts in 11 starts this season. Over his last 7 starts, he is 4-1 with a 2.47 ERA (14 ER, 51.0 IP) with 44 strikeouts since July 11. He missed more than two months on the 15-day disabled list earlier this season (April 24-July 6) with a right lat strain.
Iwakuma No-Hitter – Facts & Figures
Hisashi Iwakuma threw the 5th no-hitter (4th individual) in Seattle Mariners history in a 3-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles on August 12, 2015 at Safeco Field. Here are some details on the historic pitching performance:
**The No-Hitter will be replayed tonight (Thursday) on ROOT Sports at 7 pm PT**
- Was the 5th no-hitter in Seattle Mariners history, the 4th individual…all 5 of the Mariners no-hitters have come in home games, with 3 at Safeco Field (Iwakuma, Felix, combined no-no) and two at The Kingdome (Randy, Bosio).
- Japanese No-Hitter – Became the second Japanese-born pitcher with a no-hitter in MLB history, joining Hideo Nomo: Sept. 17, 1996 at Colorado (with Dodgers) & April 4, 2001 at Baltimore (with Boston).
- Breaking the AL Jinx – Iwakuma became the first American League pitcher to pitch a no-hitter since teammate Felix Hernandez did it on August 15, 2012…were 12 no hitters (11 individual, one combined) in the National League since then…marks the longest streak of no-hitters thrown in one league since the inception of the AL in 1901.
- Mariners No-Hit Theme – Each of the last three no-hitters in the American League have been tossed by the Mariners, with six pitchers combining to blank the Dodgers on no hits on June 8, 2012 and Felix Hernandez tossing a perfect game vs. Tampa Bay on August 15, 2012…prior to Seattle, the last team responsible for three consecutive no-hitters in its league was the Yankees, who produced three straight no hitters in the American League from 1996 to 1999…New York’s no-hitters were tossed by Dwight Gooden (vs. Seattle on May 14, 1996), David Wells (vs. Minnesota on May 17, 1998) and David Cone (vs. Montreal on July 18, 1999).
- The Golden Years – At age 34 years, 122 days, became the oldest AL pitcher to throw his first no-hitter since 36-year-old David Cone threw his perfect game against the Montreal Expos in 1999…also oldest pitcher to throw a no-no since Randy Johnson in 2004 (age 40)…23rd no-hitter in MLB history by a pitcher 34 years or older.
- First Career CG – The no-hitter was Iwakuma’s first MLB complete game (88th career MLB start)…he became the 17th pitcher (since 1914) to throw a no-hitter in first career complete game (first since Philip Humber perfect game vs. Seattle 4/21/12)…records show that Iwakuma recorded 48 complete games (6 shutouts during his career in Japan, but did not throw a no-hitter).
Complete coverage on Mariners.com
Mariners Mondays – Kuma
Starting tomorrow night on Mariners Mondays on ROOT SPORTS – three gems from Hisashi Iwakuma.
Kuma had his split-finger fastball working on May 8 against the Kansas City Royals. In his second start of the season, Iwakuma struck out seven and walked none over eight innings for a 1-0 shutout against the eventual American League Champs. Iwakuma scattered four singles and only one baserunner reached second.
On July 12, Hisashi Iwakuma Bobblehead Night, Kuma bounced back after a couple of tough outings with a solid 8 2/3 innings. His outstanding pitching effort got a boost from Kyle Seager and Robinson Cano, who both homered, for a 6-2 win over the Oakland Athletics. Kuma struck out five of the first six batters he retired and allowed only five hits. Iwakuma’s scoreless innings streak was snapped at 20 in the 9th inning when Brandon Moss hit a two-run home run.
The Mariners offense gave Iwakuma an early lead in his August 19 start at Philadelphia, and he shut down the Phillies offense for a 5-2 win. Kuma struck out a season-high 11 batters over eight scoreless innings. Fernando Rodney preserved the win in the 9th when he was called in with two outs and the tying run at the plate. Rodney struck out Cody Asche for his 36th save.
Mariners Mondays episodes air at 7pm on ROOT SPORTS through March leading up to the April 6th Opening Day game against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field.
Robinson Cano Goes 2-for-3 in Japan Series Preview
Robinson Cano collected two hits and scored a run in the MLB All-Stars 8-7 win over a collection of players from the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers last night.
You can read about the game in MLB.com’s Joey Nowak’s recap: MLB Takes Nail-Biter in Japan Series Preview
The game was televised live on MLB Network and will be re-aired at 6 pm Seattle time tonight.
Here’s a few video’s of Robinson Cano’s performance last night:
Robinson Cano Goes Photo Crazy During His Trip To Japan
You should go along for the ride with Robinson Cano’s Instagram account. From there you’ll see what he’s seeing and experiencing. Be sure to follow him, but in the meantime, MLB.com’s Cut4 has put together some of his best pictures here: Robinson Cano Goes Photo Crazy During His Trip To Japan.
Here’s a schedule of the upcoming Japan All-Star Series which will all be carried on MLB Network:
• Wednesday: Game No. 1 at Kyocera Dome, Osaka (1 a.m. PT/4 a.m. ET)
• Thursday: Travel day
• Friday: Game No. 2 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo (1 a.m. PT/4 a.m. ET)
• Saturday: Game No. 3 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo (1 a.m. PT/4 a.m. ET)
• Sunday: Game No. 4 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo (1 p.m. PT/4 a.m. ET)
• Monday: Travel day
• Tuesday, Nov. 18: Game No. 5 at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo (2 a.m. PT/5 a.m. ET)
• Wednesday, Nov. 19: Travel day
• Thursday, Nov. 20: Exhibition game vs. Samurai Japan, Okinawa Cellular Stadium, Okinawa (1 a.m. PT/4 a.m. ET)
MLB All-Stars Arrive for Japan All-Star Series 2014
Major League Baseball’s All-Stars have arrived for the Japan All-Star Series 2014 and the players are already taking part in ceremonies before the games begin.
The Mariners are being represented by second baseman Robinson Cano, starter Hisashi Iwakuma and interpreter Antony Suzuki during the All-Star Series. The games will be hosted in Osaka (Kyocera Dome), Tokyo (Tokyo Dome) and Sapporo (Sapporo Dome). Two exhibition games will complement the five-game series, with one game in Osaka (Koshien Stadium) and the other in Okinawa (Okinawa Cellular Stadium).
Yasiel Puig, John Farrell, Robinson Cano & Hisashi Iwakuma took part in the All-Star series welcome party ceremony.
Robinson Cano took part in the sake barrel ceremony which represents harmony and good fortune.
MLB Network will exclusively televise every game of the Japan All-Star Series live in the United States, beginning with the exhibition game on Tuesday, November 11th at 4:00 a.m. (ET). MLB.TV subscribers also will be able to watch every game live and on-demand across any of its supported devices, including via the MLB.com At Bat app. The games will be called live by a rotating on-air team of MLB Network announcers that includes play-by-play by Paul Severino and analysis from Mark DeRosa and Darryl Hamilton. Each game will re-air later the same day at 9:00 p.m. (ET).
The MLB All-Stars posed for a team picture in Japan.
MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo checked in with the team and posted his feature: Major Leaguers rest up after landing in Osaka.
If you’re looking for a players perspective of this trip (in pictures), be sure to follow Robinson Cano on instagram (RobinsonCano).
Here are a few of his updates since arriving.
Here are some photos from the welcome party as well as the team photo at Koshien Stadium.
Iwakuma to Play in MLB-Japan All-Star Series
Hisashi Iwakuma has been added to the roster for the MLB Japan All-Star Series.
Mariners right-handed starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma has been selected to play in the MLB-Japan All-Star Series in November. Iwakuma and select MLB stars will play a five-game series against “Samurai Japan” (Japan’s National Team) in the 2014 All-Star Series. In addition, two exhibition games will be played prior to and after the All-Star Series of games.
Iwakuma, 33, will join teammate Robinson Cano in the renewal of the event for the first time since 2006, which will mark the 11th All-Star Series and the 36th time overall that a team of Major Leaguers has toured Japan for exhibition games, dating back to 1908. Iwakuma is scheduled to make one start for the MLB squad during the series, with a limit of 80 pitches has been set for each starting pitcher (Rules for Series).
“I am very happy and honored to be part of this All-Star team,” said Iwakuma. “I look forward to pitching in my hometown during the series.”
Iwakuma went 15-9 with a 3.52 ERA (70 ER, 170.0 IP) in 28 starts with the Mariners in 2014. He ranked 2nd in the Majors with a 1.06 walk rate (21 BB) and 3rd with a 7.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and also had the 4th-best WHIP in the American League at 1.050. The Tokyo native became the fifth Japanese-born pitcher with 15 wins in a season, joining Hideo Nomo (3x), Daisuke Matsuzaka (2x), Yu Darvish, Hiroki Kuroda.
In three seasons with the Mariners Iwakuma has combined to go 38-20 with a 3.07 ERA, including 37-19, 2.97 in 77 career starts. Prior to joining the Mariners Iwakuma played 11 seasons in Japan with Kintetsu/Rakuten in the Pacific League, combining to go 107-69 with a 3.25 ERA in 226 G/225 GS. He was named the Pacific League MVP and Eiji Sawamura Award winner (Cy Young equivalent) in 2008 after going 21-4 with a 1.87 ERA. He has represented Japan in the World Baseball Classic (2009) and Olympics (2004).
The team will holds workouts at Dodger Stadium on November 6-7 (12-2:30 pm). The MLB Network will exclusively televise every game of the Japan All-Star Series live in the U.S., beginning with the exhibition game on Tuesday, November 11 at 1 am PT (check local listings for replays).
All-Star Series games will be hosted in Osaka (Kyocera Dome), Tokyo (Tokyo Dome), Sapporo (Sapporo Dome) and Okinawa (Okinawa Cellular Stadium). The complete schedule is as follows:
| 2014 Suzuki All-Star Series Schedule | |
| Tuesday, Nov. 11: | Exhibition vs. Hanshin Tigers/Yomiuri Giants at Koshien |
| Wednesday, Nov. 12: | Game #1 at Kyocera Dome, Osaka |
| Thursday, Nov. 13: | Travel Day |
| Friday, Nov. 14: | Game #2 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo |
| Saturday, Nov. 15: | Game #3 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo |
| Sunday, Nov. 16: | Game #4 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo |
| Monday, Nov. 17: | Travel Day |
| Tuesday, Nov. 18: | Game #5 at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo |
| Wednesday, Nov. 19: | Travel Day |
| Thursday, Nov. 20: | Exhibition vs Team Japan, Okinawa |
2014 Rewind – Iwakuma by the Numbers
Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma put together another solid season in 2014, recording a career-high 15 wins (15-9) with a 3.52 ERA in 28 starts. After starting the season on the disabled list, Iwakuma set single-season club records for highest strikeout-to-walk ratio at 7.33 and lowest walk rate (1.06 BB/9.0 IP). In 179.0 innings, Iwakuma walked only 21 batters (including 2 IBB) and recorded 154 strikeouts.
Since joining the Mariners in 2012 after an All-Star career in Japan, Iwakuma has made 77 starts (91 overall appearances). His 2.99 ERA in his starts (since July 2, 2012) is the 9th-best in the Majors joining an elite list of pitchers:
Get Well Tour – Mary Bridge Hospital
Brandon Maurer, Hisashi Iwakuma and the Mariner Moose visited Tacoma’s Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital today.
Mariner pitchers Hisashi Iwakuma and Brandon Maurer spent part of their day on Thursday visiting kids at Tacoma’s Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital as part of the Holland America Line Get Well Tour.
The kids got the chance to meet Kuma and Maurer – and the Mariner Moose – get photos and autographs, and a Get Well Tour duffle bag, baseball and Moose doll, all courtesy of Holland America Line.
From the Corner of Edgar & Dave 